Page 50 of The Billionaire's Heart

This morning when I got up and finally convinced myself to get out of bed, even though I didn’t want to let Mia go, I rearranged my entire day so that I could get some stuff done for Mia before she woke up. One of those things was putting the money in her bank account.

Another was working with the property manager at one of my properties to secure Mia a prime location for Magical Moments and now Mia’s Corner. There happens to be two vacant spaces next to each other, so the property manager is working to connect the spaces and will have it ready for Mia to move in the week after the Fourth of July.

My jeweler arrived early and brought me the ring and it’s perfect. I can’t wait to give it to Mia, but I will wait until later and give it to her before the interview with theToday Showthis afternoon. My jeweler also gave me some guards in case the ringis too big or too small. Once she tries it on, he’ll size it to her finger if she needs it.

After seeing Mia’s drawings last night of her logo for both Magical Moments and Mia’s Corner, I had an idea that I hope Mia doesn’t hate. I sent the drawings to Mrs. Wilcox first thing this morning, and she had business cards made up and sent them over.

Am I trying too hard? Maybe, but I don’t know how else to operate. It’s just how I am.

After Mia and I talked and agreed to a first date tonight for dessert once my family leaves, I had to get back to work before the interview, which starts in an hour. I’ve been on this video conference call for a lot longer than I anticipated, and I’ve had enough of the bickering and excuses.

“Enough!” I say to the entire room as I slam my hand down on my desk. “Eric, you’re the manager of the west coast division of Gallo Enterprises and as such, I expect you to handle issues like these. At what point did you discover the contractor wasn’t meeting the deadlines?”

I watch Eric squirm before he attempts to answer me. “Well, you see Mr. Gallo…”

“No, Eric, the answer doesn’t start with those words. If you, and your entire team that is sitting at that table, cannot get this project back on track by the end of this month, I will be out there to finish the project myself as I look for a new team. Does everyone understand?”

I see a bunch of nodding heads.

“Good. You have three days.” I click the disconnect button.

“Ouch. Glad I’m not the hired help.” Brinna says as she walks into my home office.

I wave at the chair she sits in. “Please, come on in and make yourself at home, Brinna.” I say with as much sarcasm as I can muster.

“Thank you. I will.” She throws back just as much sarcasm as she pulls out her notebook.

It’s not her fault I’ve got idiots running the Seattle offices, so I check my temper. “Sorry. Good help is hard to find unless you’re micromanaging them, apparently. At least that’s what I’m discovering. What’s up?”

“I just want to go over the talking points before the interview. Is Mia around?”

“Yeah, she’s upstairs working. I’m sure the questions will be fine. If they’re not, I’ll just stop the interview.” I shrug my shoulders. “Easy.”

She laughs, “I know, but does Mia know not to answer if she’s feeling uncomfortable?”

“She will. Don’t worry about her.” Brinna looks at me and I can tell she wants to ask me something. “Out with it. What else?”

She takes a deep breath before she starts, “Look, I don’t mean to offend you.”

“Yes, you do, but you don’t care. What is it?”

She looks up at the ceiling and then blurts it out, “Is this an actual relationship, Ian? I mean, are you two really dating, getting married, or is this some stunt to kill that eligible bachelor thing your mom did? I need to know because I’ve got to think of my reputation and if this is a fake thing... whatever your reasons, which may be valid ones, I just can’t be a part of it. I hope you understand why I asked. The interviewer is going to ask, too. Just so you know.”

Brinna is the best in the business and it’s great that she lives in Hibiscus Harbor as it makes it easy for us to dobusiness together. I pay her a lot of money to do what she does and sometimes she needs to ask the hard questions. This one, although, sucks.

“Why would you ask me this, Brinna?”

“You know why. Over the last five years that we’ve been working together, not once have I seen you date anyone seriously. Now, suddenly you’re engaged, and no one’s ever even heard of her, not to mention that just last month your own mother told the world you are available. It looks suspicious, Ian. Very suspicious.”

I watch Brinna stand and walk across the room with her hands on her hips. “Look Ian, if this is just a stunt, I can get you both through the interview, but then I’m out.”

I keep playing with my pen, spinning it in circles on my desk, trying to decide how much to tell Brinna. “It’s not a stunt.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure, Brinna. It’s not a stunt. I’m marrying that woman upstairs,” I point to the ceiling of my office, “and that’s final. Don’t ask me again. Got it?”

“Is she pregnant?”

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