Page 19 of The Billionaire's Heart

“Can you please show Miss McIntosh to room 1801?” The lady behind the desk asks a uniformed man standing by the front desk.

“Of course. Right this way, Miss McIntosh.”

I follow him to the elevator and then to my room. “Here we are. Is there anything I can get for you, Miss McIntosh?” I wish they’d stop calling me that.

The room is enormous, bigger than my entire apartment. I turn to him. “No, thank you. I’m fine.”

“Very well, ma’am. Just dial zero if we can be of any service and I’ll leave your room keycard on the table.” He leaves and quietly closes the door behind him.

I take in the room and the giant bed facing the Smithsonian Museum across the street. “You are so out of your league, girl.” I mumble to myself as I watch the people walk by eighteen stories down below.

There’s a knock on my door. “Concierge service for Miss McIntosh.” A female voice calls from the other side of the door.

I open it and she’s holding a garment bag and a shopping bag from a boutique I’ve never heard of. “These are for you, ma’am. Can I assist you with anything else?” She asks as she hangs the garment bag in the closet.

“No, thank you.”

“Very well. Have a wonderful stay, Miss McIntosh.”

I close the door behind her as the clock on the wall catches my eyes. It’s quarter after six and I’ve got to get myself ready forthis party, event, gala… whatever it’s called. Where has this day gone?

Just this morning, I was wearing cleats and covered in red clay. Only last week, I was driving to Hibiscus Harbor with Knoxville in my rearview mirror.

Now, I’m about to go to some party in our nation’s capital. I’ve been on a private jet, two Town Cars, and I’m going to get ready in the fanciest hotel room I’ve ever been inside of. What is happening? This is just crazy.

In under an hour, I’ve showered, done my hair in an updo, and plastered on a bit of makeup to make myself presentable. The dress is a beautiful royal blue sequined, figure-hugging gown with matching sparkly shoes, and they both fit perfectly. I feel like a princess. If all my foster parents could see me now. Hell, if James could see me now and what he lost. I’d love to see the look on his face. It would be priceless.

Standing in the elevator, I look at myself in the mirrored doors. “You’ve got this, girl. You can do this.” I give myself a little pep talk.

The doors open to the lobby, and I step out gingerly until I make sure that I’ve got good footing in these stiletto heels on this marble floor. I make my way to the front desk and to the same lady that checked me in. “Miss McIntosh. What can I help you with this evening?”

“Can you tell me if you’ve seen Mr. Gallo?”

She gives me a large smile, and for some reason, my jealousy peaks. “Yes. Mr. Gallo is at the bar on the other side of the piano. Just over that way.” She points across the room.

“Thank you.”

Making my way towards the bar, I see him. He’s standing with a glass of something amber while reading on his phone. Taking my time to walk across the room unobserved, I take in his impressive looks and his Armani tuxedo. His strong, clean-shaven jaw and muscular form is no match for that tuxedo, but I don’t think any suit could do him justice. He’s gorgeous. Every girl’s dream and I’ve got little butterflies fluttering around in my stomach.

Mr. Gallo must feel me staring at him because he looks around the room. He spots me and does a double take. “Mia.” His eyes widen briefly.

“Mr. Gallo.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I’m your date for the charity tonight. Just like you asked.” Now, I’m wondering if this has been a colossal misunderstanding. “You did ask for me, right? That’s what Mrs. Wilcox told me when she called me this morning. Your date was in an accident, and you needed someone that knew Gallo Enterprises. I’ve been studying up on your companies all afternoon.”

He seems shocked to see me, but just as fast, his expression changes to pleasure. “Of course, I just had never seen you so dressed up. You look beautiful, Mia. Absolutely beautiful. Royal blue is your color.” He kisses me on my cheek.

I can feel myself blush. “Thank you, Mr. Gallo.”

“Mia, you’re going to have to start calling me Ian.”

I take a deep breath. “Okay. Thank you, Ian.”

Chapter 10

Ian

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