Page 68 of The Billionaire's Heart

I decide not to answer, as this is probably just some crazy person wanting to get at Ian and his money. But, just in case, I save the number on my new phone and then turn off my old phone for the last time.

Today was all about paperwork and orders. My first delivery of dresses will arrive the day after I take the keys to my new shop. Shops. Some vendors heard about Mia’s Corner and are donating some of their overstocks. I’m so thankful for their generosity.

Riley, one of my kickball teammates, suggested I do a grand opening. She told me that if I pick the day, she’d help me organize it since she’s an event planner. I didn’t even think about having a grand opening. She reminded me that the high school and college homecomings will start within a month of the shop opening and that having the grand opening will generate buzz for the shop and that I’ll be able to capture those sales. She’s so smart.

I’ve chosen the first weekend in August for the grand opening. That’ll give me a few weeks to work out any issues or kinks in the shop before the dance season starts. I clap my hands in glee as I mark my calendar on my new computer.

My phone buzzes and Ian’s picture that I saved from his bio on Gallo Enterprises’ website appears.

“Hi there.” I answer. “How’s your day going?”

“Really good now that I’ve heard your voice.”

He makes me smile. “Mine’s going good, too.”

“Oh, yeah? Tell me all about it.”

“Well, I’ve placed my first few orders. Some vendors are donating their overstock to Mia’s Corner, and I’ve started planning a grand opening.”

“Wow, that’s great, Mia. Well, I have good news, too.”

“You do? Well, spill it!”

“I’m climbing on my plane now and will be home sooner than I thought.”

The butterflies in my stomach appear suddenly. “Oh yeah? That is good news.”

“I can’t wait to see you, Mia. I had no idea how much I would miss you.”

Hearing Ian say this warms my heart in a way I never expected. He makes me feel seen, heard, and cared for. Throughout my entire life, no one has really noticed me. Even James never called me during the day just to talk or to see how my day was going.

“Ian…” I hesitate to tell him what I’m thinking.

“Tell me, Mia. What is it?” He whispers.

I can hear the click of his seatbelt in the background. “Just… please don’t break my heart. Okay? I’m not sure I would survive it.”

“I have no intention of breaking anything of yours, Mia.”

“No, you don’t understand. I’ve never had someone care enough about me to check in with me, to call me, or care about what’s going on in my life. I could get used to this feeling really quick and I’m afraid that if you walked away, what that would do to me. So, if you plan to do that, just tell me now. I’ll fulfill my obligation to being your fake fiancé, but I want to protect myself, as well.”

“Mia. You need to know that I’m falling in love with you.” I inhale quickly, not really sure what’s happening inside of me, but everything is buzzing. “I’m falling for you, Mia, and I have no intention of going anywhere unless you want me to.”

“Really?”

“Really, really. You’re all I think about day and night. You’re my jelly, Mia.”

I smile at his reference. “And you’re my peanut butter, Ian.”

“I’ll see you in a few hours. Dinner?”

I nod, even though he can’t see me. “I’ll see you tonight. Safe travels.”

We hang up and I hold the phone to my chest as if he was standing right there in front of me and I could hug him.

I think I’m falling in love with him, too.

Chapter 32

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