Page 108 of Where We Bloom

I’m irritated as fuck. Why the fuck is Julie bringing this up again that we can’t change the facade? Of course we fucking can’t. That was known before we signed the goddamn contractsafterwe’d filed for developmental approval.This is such a waste of my time.I’d much rather be with my angel, buying her anything she wants, than sitting in this goddamn meeting rehashing irrelevant information on a new boutique hotel we signed on for twelve months ago.

“She’s in her third store of the morning,” he says. “She asked me to drop her off at a place calledThis & Thatin Downtown.”

My stomach drops. “What the hell do you mean, you’re inDowntown? Why aren’t you on Fifth Avenue?”

“She didn’t want to go there,” he replies, with no change in his voice. “She wanted to come Downtown, to these specific shops.”

“What is she doing right now?”

“I assume she’s shopping. I’m parked around the corner.”

What. The. Fuck. “I didn’t hire you to be a goddamn taxi. You’re her fuckingdetail. I want you with her, eyeson her, every minute I’m not with her. Get to her,now, and send me a photo.”

I hang up and immediately dial Billie’s number, but she doesn’t answer, so I send a text.

Answer your phone, angel.

I wait ten seconds and try once more, but it goes to voicemail again.

Billie, I need you to answer your fucking phone. Now.

Before I can call her again, Simon shoots through a text, and it’s a picture of Billie.

She’s grinning ear to ear, holding up a handbag, and it looks like she’s having the time of her life.

I dial Simon’s number.

“Yes, sir.”

“Let me talk to her,” I growl at him.

I can hear her voice in the background as he approaches.

“Miss Blackwell, I have Mr. Gallagher for you.”

“Oh! Thanks, Simon.” Her voice is closer when she says, “Hey there, handsome.”

“You’re not answering your phone.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. The ringer’s off, and I’ve been so busy finding fun things, I didn’t look at it.” I close my eyes as my heart settles, knowing she’s okay. “Is everything okay? Did you get a message from the credit card company? I only spent a couple of thousand at that laststore, but if that’s more than you’d planned, I’ll totally pay you back. Sorry about that.”

I take my glasses off and pinch the bridge of my nose.

“No,a ghrá,spend whatever you want. Spend a million dollars. I don’t care. Why are you inDowntown?”

She’s quiet for a second, and then, “Because this is where the fun consignment shops are. I found a Chanel bag from 2022 that isimpossibleto get, Connor. And it wasn’t crazy expensive. There was an incredible pair of Dior slingbacks,in my size,never worn, and I had to have them. And then?—”

“Billie.”

“Yeah?”

“I love that you’re having fun. But why aren’t you shopping on Fifth Avenue for new things?”

“Do you even know me? Ilovethe hunt, and you know it. I’m in New York City, where people consign everything. Do you know that they have a Birkin in here, in my dream color and size? But I wouldneverpay that much for a bag. I’m like a kid in a candy store, Connor. You can’t take this away from me.”

“I’m not trying to take anything away from you,mo rúnsearc.I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. Buy the Birkin.”

She giggles. “Absolutely not.”

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