Page 82 of The Playboy Billionaire

I watch her make her way across the room and groan. Can’t she be satisfied with Gabriel being attached? He’s made her a grandmother. The last thing I need is my matchmaking mother, around April.

Hold on… where did that thought come from?

I shove my hands in my pockets and draw in a breath. There’s no reason for my mother to even think romantic thoughts where April is concerned. She doesn’t know she’s staying with me. No one does, apart from Samuel. Did Apriltell Scarlett? I know the boys wouldn’t say anything. They know what my mother is like. She tries to fix them up every year at her birthday party.

I cringe as my mother makes it to her destination. Scarlett and April both smile at her as she’s introduced. My mother is not like many of her peers when it comes to matching my siblings and me with potential partners. My parents had an arranged marriage but fell in love and raised a family. She and my fatherbecamea traditional love story. Their marriage may have begun its life built on what my father inherited, but they were a team. Their love and partnership thrived, as did everything they touched. They were still as much in love the day he died as they were when they first fell. His loss has been hard on her, but she’s a survivor. I’ve never voiced it aloud, but their relationship is why I refuse to settle. I want what they had. I just have yet to find it, and if I don’t, then that’s the way it will be.

Someone claps their hands, bringing the crowd’s attention to the front. My mother is still busy talking to Scarlett, but April has moved off. I exhale, quieting my racing heart.

“Welcome, everyone. I’m glad to see so many of you could make it this evening,” April says. “Can everyone hear me at the back?”

Acknowledgements are heard from the rear of the room, and April smiles.

I listen as she discusses the fire, the issues, and how she’s working with Scarlett and me to resolve them. I watch members of the crowd nod. Everyone focused on the woman standing at the front as she presents our proposal.

When she’s finished, she opens the floor up for questions.

“I work. I can’t travel all the way across town. It was hard enough when it was around the corner.”

Scarlett steps in. “The centre has security measures. Once the children, especially the younger ones, exit the bus, thestaff will escort them to the studios and provide continuous supervision. Once their lesson is over, they will be returned to the bus—like a school trip.”

“Ms Dupree, you’re a wealthy woman. Why are you doing this?” one woman asks.

“I have a great deal of respect for April. I know how much your children and young adults mean to her. What dancing means to her.”

She looks over at April and the women share a smile. I see a friendship forming. One that will outlive mine and April's. My stomach hardens at the thought.

“I’m also setting up an independent dance school. Somewhere accessible for anyone with talent,” she adds, making it obvious it won’t be about the extortionate fees some places charge. “I’m working with the Frazer Foundation to set up realistic scholarships. That’s why Mrs Francesca Frazer is here tonight.”

I watch as my mum smiles and raises her hand in acknowledgement.

How the hell did this happen?

Somehow, I seem to be losing control here. The women in my life are taking over. All I can do is work on the development and get the studio back up and running.

“How long will this be for?” a man asks from the back of the room.

I watch April’s face drop.

I step forward.

“I found out earlier today the council has granted us permission to begin work on the Sunny Down site immediately. Due to the fire and the current state of the building, they think it is in the best interest of the city and the community for the building to be demolished as soon as possible. Once the site has been cleared, the building team will move in.” The man nods before sitting down. I keep myeyes on the crowd, although I can sense April’s eyes drilling into me. This is all news to her. She’s put distance between us tonight and used Scarlett as a shield, but I can feel her questions bubbling. I hide my grin as April is left speechless.

One of us fields the rest of the questions until April finally calls the meeting to a close. Parents line up to sign consent forms for their children. A couple ask if they can accompany the buses, act as chaperones. For those people, we get them to fill out security checks. Elijah has promised to fast-track them.

When I finally catch up with April, she’s in deep conversation with my mother about the community centre and the councillors the foundation wants to put in place. This is a project close to my mother’s heart. One she and my father began. I just hadn’t realised how far along it had progressed.

“There you are,” my mother says as I walk up to them both.

April smiles up at me. “Your mother was just telling me about her plans for the community centre. It’s amazing. The foundation can do so much good.”

The excitement in her voice is contagious, and I look at my mother, whose gaze moves between us with open interest.

I school my features.

“Mother, are you ready to go? I think Freddy is waiting for you,” I say, pointing to the door where her driver is waiting patiently.

“I am,” she grins, turning her attention to April and grasping one of her hands in both of hers. “It was lovely to meet you. I hope to see you again soon.”

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