Page 24 of Billionaire Romantic
“What are you doing?”
“Turning on your Snap Map. For safety reasons.”
“In case hedoesturn out to be a psycho killer?”
“In case he takes you to his apartment after your date,” she clarifies. “For the getting laid part of the evening.”
“Would you stop?”
Grace gives me a hug. “Have fun, and give Noah Steel a real chance, even if his name sounds like he should be fighting supervillains instead of right-swiping.”
“You have a good night too, bestie. Say hi to Ethan for me.”
“Maybe we can double date next time.”
“Yeah. Sure,” I scoff.
“Good luck, sweetie.”
“Thanks. I’ll need it.”
12
I take the elevator down.My Uber is waiting at the curb.
The driver has music playing. He doesn’t try to make conversation and I’m glad. I need a minute.
The city is busy tonight. A man in a suit on the street talking on his phone as he walks reminds me of my disastrous phone call with Cash Maddox. His veiled threats about my financial situation. His offer that happens to be five million dollars short of what I need to survive, but that I might be forced to accept anyway or face bankruptcy.
Asshole.
But it’s not Cash Maddox’s fault that I’m in this mess. I’m probably going to face bankruptcy no matter what happens.
Unless his evil CFO agrees to my price, of course. Which somehow seems unlikely. The guy sounds like a piece of work.
But what if his CFOdidagree to it?
Cash was willing to pay more. The CFO is his brother, surely Cash can persuade him.
What if they offer me the price I want?
What would I do then?
Accept it, of course.
And then what?
If I’m free to make any choice I want, what would I choose to do next?
It’s a good question. One I haven’t really allowed myself to think about very often, because I’ve always known I would take over my father’s business. From day one. It was implied in every conversation we ever had. It went hand in hand with being the only Ashton heir—and with living in the Ashton residence, which is all I ever really cared about.
Looking back on it now, I should have stood up for myself a little bit more. I should have thought more about whatIactuallywanted.
What do I want?
What would I do if I could do anything at all in the whole wide world?
Deep down, I know exactly what I’d do.
