Page 35 of The Billionaire's Fortunate Accident
I filled out the questionnaire anyway, leaving my genuine reviews of the foods I’d had a chance to try. Right before I hit the submit button, I had the oddest feeling that I might be helping out what could become a rival of Stone. So, I deleted everything.
I couldn’t send such great feedback to someone who was Stone’s rival. He was so enthralled with this endeavor. He spent every waking moment on it. I couldn’t go behind his back and give kudos to anyone else. I was his cheerleader and would not cheer for any other teams.
Putting that out of my mind, I checked my classes and found some pleasant surprises. We only had three essay questions for one class and four multiple-choice tests for another. There was reading to do for the last class, and I knew I could do that while working nights.
I had time for an actual shower. I had time to eat something, too, and thought about ordering take-out. After a nice long shower, I dressed in some comfy sweats, then went to check out the many menus I’d collected from the restaurants near me that delivered.
Nothing looked as good as the things Stone had been making for me, though. Nothing seemed healthy in the least either. Salad after salad was all anyone offered that was on the healthy side. But I didn’t want a lousy salad. I wanted something substantial. I wanted something that would leave me feeling great — the way Stone’s food did.
Looking at my cell sitting on the coffee table, I thought about doing it — calling Stone. He was most likely very busy with things. But still, I wondered where he was working.
The night’s work wouldn’t be that strenuous on me. I could talk to him a little while doing the majority of it. I missed talking to him. I missed seeing him. Those soft kisses to my cheek were things I missed too.
Closing my eyes, I moved my feet, tucking them underneath me as I settled on the sofa. I imagined his face, his muscular body, his lips that were thick yet somehow chiseled, as if someone had carved them out of marble. And then there were those eyes, deep-set, blue as the Pacific Ocean, and playful, dancing ever so often when he talked.
Stone’s playful spirit was only rivaled by his passionate one. And if he could be that passionate about opening a restaurant, he could be equally passionate about love or making love.
Warmth blossomed inside of me. I lay my head back on the sofa, moaning as I thought about his lips pressing against mine. His hands caressing my skin as he ran them over every last inch of me. His body moving over mine, his weight not only bearable but desired. To feel him that way would be an experience I would never forget.
Opening my eyes, I knew that was a pipedream. At least for now.
Maybe one day we’ll both have some time to see where things might lead.
Chapter Nineteen
Stone
“Hi, Ember. I’ve got tomorrow’s trays ready. Do you want me to send them over now?” I’d enlisted the help of my sister-in-law and niece, Madison, to get the food samples to the hospital. Doing all the recipe development, shopping, cooking, and keeping an eye on the reviews left me with little time to get the food to where it needed to be.
“Yeah, send them over. We’re home. Madison is loving this job too. She’s so happy that you’re letting her do this,” Ember said. “You might laugh at this, but she said she would’ve done it for the food alone. She’s loved everything you’ve made so far.”
“I wasn’t about to ask you guys to do all of this for free. I figure you two should be on my payroll anyway since I’m sure that I’ll need both your help when I get this thing open.” I wasn’t about to let great help escape me.
Ember’s laugh made me smile. “We’re family, Stone. We would’ve helped even if we had to do it for free. But I have to say that I like the fact that Madison is already beginning to learn what it means to actually earn money, and how to save it, and when she does spend it, to do it wisely. I know none of us are hurting for money, but it never hurts to know its value.”
“I agree.” I thought about how mad Jessa had gotten after finding out that I’d neglected to tell her about the wealth I had and her reasons behind that anger. “If we’d been born into this kind of money, I don’t know if we’d have become the same hardworking people we are today. I’m glad I can help teach Madison to respect money and respect people who work hard for it.”
“I’m glad you’re able to help with this lesson as well, Stone. I’ll talk to you tomorrow then. Bye, now.”
“Bye, Ember. Tell Cohen hi for me.” I ended that call, then used the app to get an Uber to deliver the food to Ember.
As soon as I put the phone down, it lit up, and I saw I had a message from Jessa. My heart skipped a beat, and a smile immediately formed on my lips. “Wonder what she’s doing tonight.” I was sure she was very busy, as always. But one could hope for a change in her usual schedule.
Swiping the screen, I read her text.
- Just sitting at home, thinking of you. How’s your night going? -
I wasn’t going to let a phone call go by while she was just sitting around, so I called her, and she picked up on the first ring. “Hey, you.”
“I see you’ve been missing me,” I teased her.
“I think I wrote that I was thinking of you, not missing you,” she said with light laughter.
The sound tickled my ear. “I read between the lines and found more to it than just that. What has you being able to just sit around this evening?”
“My assignments aren’t as intense as they normally are, so I’ve got a little bit more downtime. What are you up to?”
“How much more downtime do you have left?” A spark of hope lit up inside of me.
