Page 27 of Merging with the Billionaire

“Your server will be right with you, Mr. Gaines,” the woman said as she handed each of them a menu after they took their seats.

Tiffany opened her menu and looked through it. She glanced up over the rim with an arched eyebrow. “You mentioned you came here as a child, but the only thing you’ve ever mentioned was being in the foster care system. Did one of your foster families bring you here?”

Conrad frowned, remembering that most of the families he had stayed with had only wanted the check that came with him. “Hardly, almost all of them were in it for the money. They wouldn’t waste any of it on taking me on a vacation. My mom brought me here every summer until…she passed away.”

“You know, that’s the first time you mentioned your mother. I can see you cared about her a great deal. What happened?”

“She died from kidney failure when I was eight. My father was never in the picture, and she didn’t have any family, so I ended in the foster care system.”

“I’m so sorry,” Tiffany whispered, reaching out and squeezing his hand with her own. “That must have been so difficult.”

“It was. I missed my mom, plus it was difficult growing up without any family, and being shuffled from one foster home to another. The worst was when there weren’t any foster families available to take me in, and I ended up in a group home. The kids in them were the worst—bullying was an everyday sport for them, which is why I worked so hard to get out and make something of myself. I ended up getting a full-ride scholarship to Yale and left when I was seventeen.”

“And then my brother and his friends did exactly what those kids did to you back in the group home. Is that why you were so upset with Roger?”

Conrad nodded. “It was like being debased all over again. I worked so hard to prove I belonged, but every time I thought I might be able to escape my past, they were right there to remind me that I didn’t belong.”

“Did you ever think that maybe you shouldn’t try to escape your past? You’re a strong, independent, survivor, Conrad, and that’s because of what you went through, not in spite of it. If you embraced who you are and where you came from, you could change so many foster care kids’ lives for the better by showing them they can make something of themselves too.”

“I never thought of it that way,” Conrad admitted. “I’ve always just tried to cover up my past or avoid it when that didn’t work.”

“I think that’s a mistake, Conrad. I respect so much who you are and how you got here. You shouldn’t hide it.”

The server came, opened a bottle of wine and poured them each a glass. Next, he took their order before leaving.

“I know I said it at the funeral, but I’m really sorry about your father passing away. I understand how hard it is to lose a parent.”

Tiffany nodded. “I know you do, and I appreciate your caring. It hasn’t been easy. Some days I feel like I can’t get out of bed, but I remind myself that my father would want me to push through and take care of his legacy.”

“You know the company isn’t his legacy, right?”

“What are you talking about?” Tiffany asked in confusion. “It most certainly is.”

“No, it’s not, you are his legacy. He raised a smart, strong, determined woman who also happens to be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. Whatever you choose to do, that will be your father’s legacy.”

Tears formed in the corner of Tiffany’s eyes. “I didn’t expect our date to get so deep,” she whispered, brushing away the tears. “I’m typically not a crier.”

“It’s okay, you don’t have to do or say anything for my sake. You’re perfect just the way you are.”

The rest of their dinner passed with excellent food and friendly conversation. When it concluded, a string trio entered the roof deck and started to play classical music.

Conrad stood up and stretched out his hand. “Would you like to dance?”

Tiffany nodded, giving him her hand. He pulled her up from her chair and into his embrace. He wrapped his arms around her, tucking her in against his frame.

They swayed to the music, letting the perfectly cool weather wrap around them as they stared into each other’s eyes. Tiffany felt wonderful in his arms, and he knew he couldn’t be happier than he was in that moment. He leaned down and let his lips touch hers, a gentle kiss, that completed the perfect first date.

The new couple danced to several more songs, enjoying each one more than the next. By the end of the evening, Conrad knew he was in trouble. He was falling in love with Tiffany Boswell.

* * *

As Tiffany waitedfor Conrad to show up at church, she prayed that everything would go smoothly. Though going to church and having a relationship with God was new to Tiffany, it had become an important part of her life. She hoped Conrad would feel the comfort and peace she did when she first started going to Journey Church.

He arrived wearing a pair of jeans and a gray sweater. He looked great, though she wasn’t used to seeing him out of a suit.

“What? Why are you looking at me that way? Am I dressed wrong? I’ve never done this before,” Conrad confessed.

Tiffany hadn’t realized her surprise had been so obviously written on her face. She shook her head. “No, I’m just not used to seeing you in casual clothes. When you’ve been around me, you’ve always worn suits. I wasn’t even sure you had anything other than that in your closet.”

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