Page 30 of The Billionaire's Heart

“I’m just saying, Ian, you might want to think about it. It would help get you off everyone’s list of eligiblewhateversand the story will die down after a couple of weeks or so. You should ask her about it." Sawyer says over the phone as I pace the back of the plane.

“I can’t, man. One, I don’t think she’d go for it and another, I’m not too sure there’s anything I could offer her to make it worth her while. You didn’t see the look on her face when she realized this was all happening.”

“Really, dude? You’re a billionaire and you don’t think you have anything to offer her?”

“Sawyer, I don’t think she’s all about the money.”

“Everyone’s all about the money. Haven’t you learned that by now? No one does anything without a price.”

“When did my little brother become so cynical?”

“You’ve dated enough bitches to know.” Sawyer sighs. “Besides, the answer is always no, if you never ask.”

I look over at Mia and see that she’s fallen asleep. “I’ll think about it.”

“You do that. In the meantime, I've contacted Gabriel Hughes to ensure everything is prepared for when you arrive. Heassures me that security will be tight. But she won’t be able to go home tonight or any time soon. Have you told her that, yet? Where are you going to put her? Want me to call The Breakers in Palm Beach and get her a suite?” Sawyer offers.

“No. I’ll handle it. Thanks, man.”

“What’s family for? Call me when you get home.”

“Will do.” I hang up with Sawyer and grab a blanket out of the linen closet to bring to Mia. When I approach her, I see that she’s fallen asleep with her hands holding her crochet needle and yarn. Gently, I pull them both out of her hands and spread a blanket across her lap and chest. I even recline the seat for her so that she’s more comfortable.

When I take her crochet to put it in her bag, a notebook catches my eye. ‘Magical Moments Bridal Business Plan by Mia McIntosh’. In all my years in business, I’ve read my fair share of business plans. I look over at a sleeping Mia and wonder if she’d mind if I read it.

The business plan is rather hefty as I pull it out of her bag and replace it with the crochet. I open it up to the first page and start reading and find myself pulled into the world of bridal sales.

The business plan is good; one of the better ones I’ve ever read. Mia made a lot of notes on the margins that she’s yet to put into her plan and some of her figures are selling herself short, but overall, it’s a solid, if not an excellent, business plan. And Hibiscus Harbor needs a bridal shop. Currently, all the bridal shops are located outside of the area, according to this plan.

What Sawyer was saying earlier pops up, and I’m wondering if I’m crazy for even thinking about it. Would she? Maybe if I offer to help her with her business goals.

Mia’s smart. She proved that last night at the gala, holding up her end of all the business conversations. She talked with whomever was in front of us, versus standing there looking pretty, and bored, like many other women did. Honestly, I wasfine either way because she was the most beautiful woman in the room. But she’s got a good head on her shoulders and answering the phones at Gallo Enterprises or anywhere else she may go is a waste of her talents.

“That belongs to me,” Mia says, startling me. I didn’t hear her wake up or walk over to me.

I close her notebook and place my hand on the cover. “Mia, this is really good.”

Her face brightens, “Really?”

I nod, “Yes. It’s one of the better business plans I’ve ever read. What college did you go to?”

As fast as her face brightened, it clouded over again. “Um,” she hesitates as she sits down next to me on the small, tan leather couch. She looks away. “I didn’t go to college.”

“You didn’t go to college, yet you have one of the most comprehensive business plans I’ve ever read.” I’m clearly impressed.

She takes the notebook from my lap. “I’m sure it needs tweaking. It’s really not ready for anyone to read it.”

Shaking my head, “I agree.”

Shock covers her face. “You do?”

“Yes, Mia. Your plan is significantly undervaluing the supply and demand and your net profits by at least twenty percent.”

She looks at her notebook. “I am?”

“You are. I think you could actually make a lot more money than you project in there by year three. Tell me, who’s your banker? Where are you in the process of executing Magical Moments Bridal?” I turn to face her with my knee bent up and my arm across the back of the couch we’re sitting on. I want to touch her, but I’m not sure how she’d react. Especially after telling her earlier that I wanted to kiss her and now being caught snooping in her belongings.

“Oh, I’m not ready yet. I need to save more money first.” She tucks the notebook back into her bag.

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