Page 18 of The Grumpy Billionaire
I’d spotted her immediately, though she’d been standing thirty feet away from the podium where I’d spoken. I looked up from my notes, and my eyes had gone directly to her as if guided by a laser targeting system.
She was beautiful—even more beautiful than she’d been as a teenager, which was saying something.
Once during my speech, my eyes had strayed to her, and I’d completely forgotten what I’d been saying. I’d stuttered and had to glance at my notes to get back on track.
Then she’d leaned in to speak close to her photographer’s ear, and I’d literally felt my temperature go up several degrees though the House chamber was freezing.
Were they involved? Maybe he’d moved here with her from out of state, following her to a larger TV market. Maybe they lived together. Maybe they were engaged.
A strange blend of resentment and hostility filled my gut.
I hate him.I hated this man I didn’t even know merely because hemightbe romantically involved with Mara.
So much for “moving on.”
The pair was standing too far away for me to see her left hand, but I made a mental note to ask my assistant Lee to look into it for me. I certainly hadn’t gotten the chance to do it myself.
Mara and the photographer had left the state house before the hearing had even ended, depriving me of the chance to snub her—and inspect that ring finger up close.
I’d instructed my bodyguard Seth to follow them and report back on where they’d gone. With that information in hand, I’d asked my driver Ben to swing by Uncle Tony’s for some takeout, claiming to be famished.
Then I’d insisted on going inside to get it myself, much to Ben’s and my own surprise.
And now I was parked outside her family’s mansion—and my mom’s cottage—in the driveway the two vastly different homes shared. It was the first time I’d actually been on the property in years.
And what are you doing herenow,asshole?
Was I planning to climb up to Mara’s balcony like Romeo? Or wait till later when she was asleep like the princess in Sleeping Beauty, sneaking inside to wake her with a kiss?
My breath quickened, and my muscles tensed, a sweat breaking out on my brow.
Of course, Icouldjust walk up to the front door and knock, ask to come inside and then apologize for my abysmal behavior earlier today.
I sat frozen in indecision until my mother walked out onto the front steps of her cottage and waved. Smiling, I turned off the ignition and got out of the car.
“Hi Mom.”
“Well, this is a nice surprise,” she said. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”
Strolling up to the small front porch, I gave her a hug. “No reason. I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d drop by.”
She flashed a knowing smile. “So, it has nothing to do with the fact that Mara is home and living next door again?”
“Of course not. She made it pretty clear she didn’t want to keep in touch. I’m sure you remember.”
“I remember.” Mom nodded sympathetically and invited me into the small kitchen where she immediately began making me a sub sandwich.
Setting it on the table in front of me along with some apple slices and a tall glass of iced tea, she took the chair facing mine.
“I remember a boy who couldn’t get out of bed for weeks after you tracked her down to Stanford and she wouldn’t see you. I remember a guy who cried on my shoulder until you were almost hyperventilating.”
Cutting my sandwich in half with so much force I nearly split the plate in half, I said, “I don’t need you to remind me of that. It was a long time ago. I’m over it.”
“So over it you sat in your car and stared at her house for ten minutes before I walked out and caught you?” she asked.
Her tone gentled and warmed. “Reid, honey, you don’t have to pretend with me. I know how you’ve always felt about her, for better or worse. And this time… I think it would be better to keep your distance.”
“I’m planning to.”
