Page 178 of The Renegade Billionaire
“I tried to get here earlier. I was worried you’d be overwhelmed or at the very least require some PR coaching before handling those assholes. But once again, you surprise me, Miss Madison.”
“Once I decided to use them just like they’re using me, it wasn’t so bad.”
He laughs and gently guides me down his body to my feet.
“Is that whyThe Matchmaker Manuallogo is all over the inn’s booth?” His voice carries a hint of humor, but it’s his eyes that undress me, making my pulse skyrocket.
“Mm-hmm. And I’ve already gotten 10,000 new subscribers, so it’s worth answering a few questions over and over again.” Nerves hit me, and I drop my gaze to the ground. “Are you mad that I used the inn to pimp my podcast?”
He uses one long finger to bring my chin up to face him. “No, sunshine. I think it was brilliant. The inn and the podcast are both yours to do with as you please. And we have a business proposal for you, Savvy, and Clover.” He shrugs. “If you’re interested, anyway.”
“Oh my gosh. Are you serious? What kind of proposal?” Butterflies attack my stomach, and I can’t help bouncing a little on my toes.
“Braxton? Mr. Reyes?” the paparazzi shout, and he immediately envelops my hand in his.
“We’ll explain it in more detail later, but essentially, we’re thinking about starting a broadcast channel, and we’re hoping to syndicate your shows while also having you consult on other programming. You’d have full control of your show.”
“Mr. Reyes.” Dang paparazzi.
“That’s—I, that’s incredible, Braxton.”
“It was both of our ideas, but I’ll be getting it off the ground. We decided to pool our resources from Omni-Reyes and his inheritance from the Wells fortune. He’s going to run Omni-Reyes with me as a consultant—as long as Ace’s will doesn’t have any more surprises—and I’m going to run Sunshine Studios while expanding our Daily Deeds nonprofit.”
“You get to be a helper.” Pride fills my chest. I love this man.
“Yeah, I guess I do.” He nods, and his eyes glow with emotion.
“Holy crap, Braxton. You guys figured all this out already?”
“We haven’t slept much.” He squeezes my hand. “But this makes us both happy. And the best part is, we’re going to do it all from Happiness, Georgia. Well, I think Omni-Reyes will open headquarters in Hopevale—they have more industrial space, and from the looks of it, they need a boost in their economy. But we think it will bring people from all over to work and help all the surrounding towns too.”
“Mr. Reyes, please.” Those dang paparazzi are so stinking pushy.
“Ah, guys?” Sage pokes his head out the back of the booth. “I’m loving all this love, but if you don’t get out here soon, things are going to get ugly.”
“Coming,” Braxton says. He hasn’t let go of my hand since I attacked him.
“That’s a lot of information to take in. I’m still kind of processing, so if it seems as if I’m not excited, that’s why. It all sounds really, really good.” I inhale a shuddering breath. “And I’m so happy that you’re making Happiness your home.”
“Sweetheart,” he says, pulling me under his arm and walking us back to the booth. “Wherever you are is home to me. I came here searching for something as elusive as happiness, and I’m staying because I found it in you. Oh, before I forget.” He reaches into his pocket. “We stopped at the house before coming here. I believe it’s time to put this back on your finger.”
He slips the ring he had made onto my ring finger, and I smile. It will always remind me of love and happiness.
I am his sunshine, and he is my happy place.
EPILOGUE I
BRAXTON
Two Months Later
“It’s still sitting there?” I mumble to Greyson. Just like the last time we were in Mr. Coop’s office together, we’re the only ones on time.
But this time, Madison is with me.
“What the heck is that thing?” Her hands are in the air, as though she wants to touch it but doesn’t dare.
“That was Ace’s final F-U to Alistair. Excuse my language, Ace’s words, not mine,” Mr. Coop says, and I can tell how much he loved saying that out loud.
