Page 4 of Falling for the Wrong Billionaire
If I’m being honest with myself, I’m still trying to figure out who I really am.
He’s everything I’m not. Outgoing and confident. I, on the other hand, am shy, reserved, and stuck in a future I can’t seem to escape. He’s tall, rugged in that effortlessly handsome way, like a man who’s lived a life full of adventure and excitement. And me? I’m just… me. Quiet Lucy, who’s used to standing in thebackground, letting the world swirl around me while I observe it from the edges. But something about him… it draws me in.
What does it mean that I can’t stop thinking about him? That even though I came to Ocean Bay to escape my life, he’s the first thing I’m waking up to every day?
I shake my head, trying to push the thoughts aside, my father’s words echo in my head.You will marry Grant, Lucy. You have no choice if you want to help me save my business. You're my last hope.
I glance at my phone. No messages. No surprise there. No calls from my father either, not yet. I had begged my father to allow me to live my last three months freely before the wedding. Coming to Ocean Bay was my chance to escape my reality, at least for three months. Thankfully my father agreed and here I am.
This morning feels different. It feels like a new beginning, in a way. I’ve decided today is the day I’m going to take control of things, even if it’s just in small ways. I’ll start by finding a job that feels like mine. No expectations, no obligations, just something that can help me blend into this town, even if it’s only temporary.
I wander down the street, the sun warming my skin, and make my way to Gracie’s Animal Haven, the clinic I’ve heard so much about in the past few days. The place is a bit of a walk from my rental, but it’s a good walk. The town is quiet in the mornings, and the people here are… welcoming, unlike the business-first way my father’s world had always been in Manhattan. Thankfully, I don't have to worry about paparazzi following me here. There is a peace in this town.
The bell above the door rings softly as I step into Gracie’s Animal Haven. The air smells clean, like fresh linens, with a hint of disinfectant and animals. It’s not overpowering, just enoughto remind me that I’m in a place where creatures are well cared for.
Before I can even get my bearings, a woman steps out from behind the counter, smiling warmly. “Hi there! What can I do for you today?”
She’s the kind of woman who seems instantly approachable, friendly, genuine, with a quiet energy that invites conversation. Her eyes light up as she looks down at the cage in my hands, and I feel the familiar weight of my ferrets shifting restlessly inside.
“Oh, are you here for a check-up?” she asks, already moving toward me. “I can take them back for a quick look. It’s a little early for appointments, but I’m happy to take care of your cute babies.”
It takes me a moment to realize her mistake, and I quickly correct myself, the words tumbling out almost before I can stop them.
“No, no… I mean, they’re not here for a check-up,” I laugh awkwardly, shifting the cage in my hands as I try to gather my thoughts. “I’m just here to see if you might have any job openings. I’m looking for something simple, maybe working with the animals or in reception.”
I glance at the name tag on her uniform. It says Emma Lawson. Emma blinks, her smile faltering for just a second as she realizes her mistake. “Oh! I’m sorry, I assumed you were here for a visit. I didn’t mean to jump the gun, but your cuties drew me in.”
“No problem,” I reply quickly, a little embarrassed but trying to brush it off. “I get it. They’re distracting,”
I glance down at Pip and Nibbs, who are both peeking out of the cage, their little noses twitching with curiosity. They’re not exactly the picture of calm.
Emma chuckles, clearly warming to the idea of helping me. “They certainly are. You’ve got your hands full with these two, huh?”
I smile, feeling more at ease now. “Yeah, they keep me on my toes. But they’re good company.”
“Sounds like they’re lucky to have you,” Emma says, nodding toward the ferrets before turning to the counter. “Let me grab a seat for us to talk. I’m sure we can figure something out.”
I follow her to a small seating area in the back, where a few employees are busy tending to other animals. I set the cage down gently, feeling a sense of relief at being in a space where I can breathe. It’s not perfect, not by any means, but it’s quiet. And that’s what I need right now.
“So, what exactly are you looking for?” Emma asks, her voice calm but genuinely interested. “We’ve got a small staff, but we’re always open to adding a helping hand.”
I sit down, feeling the weight of the question settle in. "I’m just looking for something to keep me busy, really. I’ve worked with animals before, and I think I’d be good at helping out with reception or cleaning. I don’t mind getting my hands dirty."
Emma watches me for a moment, clearly assessing whether I’m just saying what I think she wants to hear, but I hold her gaze, hoping she sees that I mean it.
"Are you new in town?"
"Yes I am. It seems everyone around here knows that about me at first glance,"
Emma chuckles at this.
"I can imagine. Everyone knows each other in Ocean Bay so when there’s a new face we definitely know."
“That sounds beautiful. Like a big family,"
"You got that right. One of the reasons I came back here,"
"You weren't always staying here?"
