Page 76 of Marrying the Billionaire Single Dad
"Oh, shut up." I bury my face in my palms. "Shit, I’ve done it now, haven’t I?"
"Don’t blame yourself," Karina pats my shoulder. "These Seven, they use money to get their way."
"Including Arpad?"
"Especially Arpad."
"What’s the story with the two of you?" I stare at her through the gaps in my fingers.
"No story." She raises her shoulders, "Anyway, that’s not why I’m here, right?"
I shake my head.
"What did you want to ask me?"
"Tell me whatever you can about Damian—"
She begins to protest and I hold up my hand, "I know, whatever you are allowed to tell me, client confidentiality, notwithstanding."
She draws in a breath.
"I just need to know what I am dealing with here," I plead. "Everything I’ve read about him in the media doesn’t tell me about the real man."
She nods. "You're going in prepared. That’s wise.”
I tilt my head.
"And this is for the sisterhood, huh?" She half smiles, and her features soften. "I know how it feels to be alone in a city."
"You do?"
She nods. "I moved to London from LA only a few months ago. It takes some getting used to."
"Well, you have me and Isla now."
"Of course." Isla nods, "We single women, we need to stick together, huh? Not that I have anything against our married friends… Just, it’s different when you’re still searching, ya know?"
Am I searching? What if I’ve found him, but he doesn’t want me? What if he’s the man, but he’s all wrong for me? What if I am not the kind of girl who’s right for him? Shit, now I’m tying myself up in knots.
"So, Damian Savage." Karina leans in, "Here’s what I can tell you."
25
Damian
"You want to watch Frozen again?" I stare at Riley.
Last evening, I’d rushed home after dropping Julia off. I wanted to make sure I was home in case Riley woke up at any point during the night.
Today being a Sunday, she'd normally have swimming lessons at the gym, followed by ballet, but when she hadn't wanted to go, I hadn't insisted.
Instead, I'd made her pancakes, as promised. Then we'd played in the pool in my backyard, and spent time in the greenhouse, where I'd repotted some of the flowers and she'd been happy to help. I'd also introduced her to online chess which she'd taken to like a champ. (After all whose daughter is she, eh?)
At dinner she'd happily devoured the mac and cheese I'd cooked, and now we’re settled on the couch for her Sunday night treat... Which normally means an hour and a half of watching a movie… Which, apparently, means re-re-re-watching the adventures of Elsa—no getting away from that four-letter word— and her sister, whatever her name is.
"Daddy, you promised." She pouts, then thrusts out her jaw, in that expression of stubbornness I am coming to recognize. I should. It matches my own. Once I set my mind on something, I don’t give up...
Which is why there is no way I am letting that little minx of a woman get away with the havoc she’s creating in my life. I am happy right here with Riley, and once she goes to bed, I’ll have time to work on the lyrics which have been buzzing around in my head… Something I have stopped taking for granted.
