Page 31 of The Billionaire's Heart

I place my hand on her shoulder. “Mia, you were ready long before you met me. This is a solid plan, and if you don’t act on it, you’re going to miss the golden opportunity to be the first bridal shop in Hibiscus Harbor. And if someone else comes in before you execute this plan of yours, they’re going to be the ones with all the exclusive contracts in the area. The sooner you do this, the healthier your business will be.”

She smiles at me, “I love your enthusiasm for this,” she points to her notebook in her bag, “but I’ve only just moved to Hibiscus Harbor a week ago and I don’t have any financial backing. I can’t do this yet. I’m not ready.”

“Mia, if I had that attitude when I first started, I wouldn’t be sitting here next to you right now.”

“Thank you, Ian. Your words mean more to me than you can imagine. I’ll think about it.” She’s shutting me down. She doesn’t believe me or in herself.

Well, here goes nothing. “How about I make you a business proposition?”

“You don’t have to do that, Mr. Gallo. I’m not interested in your charity.” She shakes her head. “Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate it, but I want to do this all on my own.”

“It’s not charity, Mia. Although, I really appreciate you saying that. It’s rare in my circles.”

“Well, I appreciate the thought. So, when do we land?” She’s trying to change the subject, but I’m not done yet.

“Mia, I don’t want you to answer me now. I’d like for you to just think about it for a day or two. Okay?”

Mia sighs as if she’s tired of this conversation. “Mr. Gallo,”

“Ian.”

“Mr. Gallo, I appreciate the thought, but I don’t want to borrow any money from you. This is something that if I can’t doit all on my own, I don’t want to do it at all. I’m sure you wouldn’t understand, so I’ll spare you the details, but just know that I’m grateful that you’ve even offered.”

“I wasn’t going to offer to loan you the money.”

“You weren’t?” Her cheeks blush quickly. “I’m so sorry. I just assumed…”

“I want togiveyou the money.”

I watch as her mouth opens and then closes and then opens again. She shakes her head and stands up.

“Absolutely not.”

“Mia…”

“NO!” Her hands splay out like an umpire calling a runner safe. “I’m not taking your money. I don’t want your money and I definitely don’t want to talk about it. End of story.” She climbs back into her seat she was sleeping in and buckles her seatbelt and stares out the window.

“Mia.”

“I’m not talking about it, Mr. Gallo. Just… no.” She won’t even look at me and I’m trying not to smile at her adamance.

“Will you just hear me out, woman?”

“I can’t stop you from talking, but it won’t change my mind. I’m not taking a dime from you.”

“We’re getting ready to land, Mr. Gallo.” Martha, the stewardess says from the front of the plane.

“Thank you, Martha.” I sit down next to Mia and buckle my seatbelt and then look up to make sure Martha has gone back behind her curtain. I need privacy when I say this.

“Mia, your life has been turned upside down today and it won’t go back to normal for some time. What I’m proposing is a business proposition. You and I play the adoring, engaged couple for the next few weeks. Once the excitement has died down and the deal with Sutherland Park Manufacturing is completed, we go our separate ways. You’ll be rid of me andmy chaotic life, and I’ll give you the seed money for Magical Moments Bridal. I think two million dollars should be enough to get your business off the ground, shouldn’t it?”

Mia’s head spins towards me, “Have you lost your mind?” she whisper yells at me as her eyes dance around the cabin of the plane to make sure no one has heard us. “Two million dollars? Fake engagement? And what do you mean my life won’t go back to normal for ‘some time’” She uses air quotes.

“Two million dollars is the price I’m willing to pay to make sure this deal goes through with Sutherland uneventfully and for you to appear as my fiancé. Playing the role of my fiancé will require you to attend a few functions with me in the upcoming weeks. And your life, no thanks to me, has been upended. You can’t go home right now. It’s not safe and you’ll be swamped by reporters, stalkers, and people who will want to see you fail. For the next few weeks, you’ll be staying with me until I know that you’ll be safe.”

“What?” she whispers as she tries to process all that I’ve told her.

I turn to her just as the wheels of the plane touch the tarmac. “Just think about it, Mia. Nothing has to be decided right now. Okay?”

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