Page 11 of Billionaire Temptations

Max reached into his pocket and handed me a check. “This is for your first year at Parsons. Deposit it in the bank tomorrow and then pay your tuition. I don’t want you to lose out on your classes.”

Suddenly, guilt washed over me, and I found it hard to accept it.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Thanks, Max. I really appreciate it.”

He placed his hand on mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. My heart skipped a beat at his touch.

“No, Emma, thank you. I wouldn’t be able to pull this off without you.”

I gave him a small smile as the Rolls Royce pulled up to my building. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Good night, Max,” I said before climbing out and shutting the door.

“Good night, Emma.”

I sleptin longer than I should have, but I was exhausted from everything that happened yesterday. When I awoke, I looked at the ring on my finger that I forgot to take off before climbing into bed. Today was a new day, and I was still engaged. Somehow, as I slept, I prayed to the dream Gods to let it all be a really bad dream, a dream that happened while I was still sleeping in Miami. But it wasn’t a dream. I let out a long stretch before climbing out of bed. I shuffled into the kitchen for a cup of coffee and noticed there wasn’t a coffeemaker.What the fuck? Who doesn’t own a coffee maker?No time for a shower. I needed coffee ASAP. I dug out a pair of black yoga pants and an oversized pink t-shirt that said, “I’m All Yours,” and threw on my pink Miami baseball cap. After grabbing my purse and phone, I took the elevator down to the lobby and headed out the door. Right or left? Shit. I didn’t know New York City yet. I walked back inside and asked Tommy, the doorman, where the closest Starbucks was.

“Go out the door, make a right, and it’s right on the corner.”

“Thanks, Tommy.” I smiled at him.

“You’re welcome, Emma.”

I found Starbucks and stood in line with about fifteen other people with the same idea. Finally, it was my turn. I ordered a coffee and a banana chip muffin and took a seat at a table by the window. My phone started beeping with a text message from Kara.

“How’s New York City? I figured I would have heard from you by now.”

“Sorry. Yesterday was kind of a crazy day trying to get situated.”

“Meet any hot guys yet?”

“Not yet.”

I couldn’t tell her about Max. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t. The questions would start being asked, and I would have to lie to my best friends. It was better that they knew nothing of what happened yesterday.

“Keep me posted and send me lots of snap chats. Especially when a hot guy is around.”

“Tell the girls I said hi and promise to keep in touch.”

As I sipped my coffee, I wondered what Max was doing. I caught myself thinking about him a lot already today. In some sort of weird way, I missed his company. He was practically the only person I knew in New York City, so that would explain why I missed him, not to mention that all I could think about was what he looked like naked. I finished my coffee and muffin and hailed a cab to the bank to open a new account and then to Parsons School of Design. When I stepped into the large building, I asked the guy sitting behind the desk where the financial office was. He guided me down the hall, to the right, and then another right.

“What may I do for you?” the old woman with a unibrow asked.

“I’m here to pay for my fall semester.”

It didn’t matter anymore. Why the hell did they decide to decline my loan at the last minute, so I didn’t even bother asking? I handed the lady my I.D. and then handed her a money order for the tuition.

“You’re all set. I hope you enjoy your time here at Parsons.” She smiled.

I wanted to tell her thanks for nothing, but I just gave her a small smile and left. Classes started in a few days, and I was more than ready. Before heading back to the apartment, I decided to stop at the store and pick up a few things, the most important item being a coffeemaker and coffee. I purchasedsome snacks and some food to cook meals since Macy’s refrigerator and cabinets were empty. I wasn’t surprised with her being a model and all. She always ate like a rabbit. My hands were full of bags, the coffeemaker being the heaviest. I tried to hail a cab, but they weren’t stopping. I set down my bags and pulled out my phone, pulling up Darren’s number.

“Hello, Miss Knight. Do you need me to pick you up?”

“Hi, Darren. Yes, please. I’m outside of Whole Foods by Parsons. I’m not sure exactly what street I’m on.”

“No worries. I’ll find you. I’m in the general area right now. Sit tight, and I’ll be there shortly.”

“Thank you.”

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