Page 7 of The Billionaire's Heart

“Just want your take on a deal I’m putting together. And any reason to get a beer is a good reason.” I joke.

“You’re not wrong. Does six o’clock work for you?”

“Yeah, that works.”

“Hey, did you hear Hudson has a real live date this Thursday?” Garrett asks.

I’m fishing through my emails and stop. “Really? It’s not with that psycho Renee, is it?”

“Oh, god no. Kane said it’s with some girl he just met.”

“Good for him. Hope it ends better than the last one.”

Garrett laughs. “You said it; not me. See ya tomorrow night.”

We hang up as Mrs. Wilcox comes into my office. “Can you please book my calendar for tomorrow night at Hooplas with Garrett at six?”

“Of course. Here’s the rest of the files on the Bahamas deal and I just want to confirm that you still need me to travel with you to the Sutherland deal in New York on July fifth, right?” She asks.

I look up at her, “If that won’t be a problem. I’ll need your expertise and organizational skills to keep that week on track if this deal is going to go through.” Mrs. Wilcox rarely travels with me unless it’s a major deal. And this is a major deal. Over a hundred-million-dollar deal, to be exact.

“Of course, it’s fine. I just wanted to make sure before I booked the arrangements.”

“Great. I’ll be flying up on Sunday, the second, from D.C., but won’t need you until the fifth, so you can enjoy the Fourth of July. Got any plans?”

“We’ll be going to my daughter’s house for a summer picnic and fireworks. I’m looking forward to it. She’s pregnant, you know.” The pride in her voice is clear.

“Is she? Congratulations. This will be the third grandchild, right?”

“You remembered. Yes, third grandchild, but first granddaughter. She’s due next month, so her husband is doing all the cooking and preparations for the picnic.” Mrs. Wilcox takes my empty cup of coffee. “More coffee?”

I shake my head. “No, I’m good. And your son-in-law should be doing all the cooking. Your daughter should be treated like a goddess.”

“You’re right, and he does treat her like a goddess. We couldn’t have picked a better man for her.” Her eyes sparkle with pride and I’m a little jealous of hearing all the normalcy of her daughter’s life.

There was a time I thought I’d get married, have kids, and maybe even a dog one day, but it’s just not in the cards for me. Between being the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company and my inability to choose a woman that isn’t a gold-digger and only after my money and status – like Mackenzie - my life just runs smoother with me being a bachelor. So, I’ve accepted my fate. The bachelor life is for me.

As usual, I’m leaving late from the office. I turn off my office light and make my way through the darkened offices towards the front lobby. I push open the lobby doors and see Mia still sitting at her desk, working on her computer. Her eyebrows are all scrunched up as she’s staring at her computer monitor.

“What are you still doing here? It’s after eight.” I say to her, assuming she saw or heard me walk into the room. I was wrong to assume.

Mia jumps in her seat and grabs her chest. “FUCK! You scared the shit out of me! Don’t sneak up on me! Don’t you know you can’t do that to a girl?”

Holding up my hands to show I’m friendly, I smile. “I’m sorry. I thought you saw me walking out of the office doors. What are you still doing here?”

“I’m trying to get this stupid newsletter fixed so I can send it out to the printers tomorrow morning, but I can’t get the spacing right.” Mia says through her teeth with forced restraint as she stares at the screen of her computer.

“Well, come on. I can’t leave you here by yourself. It’ll wait until morning.”

She sighs, “Fine. I suppose walking away from it tonight will do me some good.” She turns off her computer and collects her things.

We both walk to the front door and Mia tries to push the door open, but it doesn’t move. “You have to pull.” I say, trying to hide my smile, but I’m unsuccessful.

“I know that.” She snaps back at me and pulls the door open harder than necessary.

I lock the door and turn around to tell her goodnight, but she’s already halfway across the parking lot to the only other car in the lot. It looks older than I am. “Goodnight.” I call after her.

She turns around to me and waves, “Night.”

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