Page 8 of Accidental Fake Billionaire

Even when I was changing backstage alone, he was so gentle, and concerned that I was comfortable. Rich people always seemed to have perfect manners. Maybe it was in his nature.

My boss Lynne was the same way. Elegant, and clearly from old family money. Effortlessly polite and confident at all times. She seemed to enjoy the little changes and updates I made as the assistant manager of the boutique children’s clothing and supply store.

She oversaw seven of these stores, but I never felt micromanaged. A quick cruise by once a week was enough for her. This gave me the opportunity to learn more about the business, and study how to improve things.

I’d always believed that a solid hour of research could help you wrap your mind around almost anything. Sure, you wouldn’t be an expert by any stretch. Yet you’d understand what you knew, what you don’t know, and how much more there still was to learn.

After clearing all of my paperwork and getting a head start on next week’s ordering lists, I heard the tiny ping of my phone. Sneaking a look around to make sure no one was watching, I pulled it out.

Jared: I’m so sorry, today has been a

bit of a struggle to get everything straight. I have a window of time at three o’clock. Could I meet you for a quick coffee? Anywhere that’s convenient for you.

I knew it probably seemed too eager that I answered immediately, but I couldn’t help it.

Me: Sure. How about Gordman’s coffee on Rothman Street? That’s only a block away from me.

Jared: Perfect. See you then.

I’d never had a man make me melt through text before. But then, I’d never even been close to a man like Jared. It felt like my blood came alive when he stood next to me. Like my body was instinctively leaning towards his, trying to inch closer whether I was aware of it or not.

At five to three, I walked through the door of Gordman’s to see Jared at a table by the window.

He looked absolutely stunning in a simple long-sleeve black thermal shirt that skimmed snuggly over his shoulders and biceps. His dark jeans fit him so well that they must have been custom made.

He jumped up, slipping an arm around me in a very familiar way that made me feel strangely treasured. “I missed you,” he murmured, giving me the tiniest kiss before leading us to the counter.

We chose our coffees, and he insisted that I get an extra shot of hazelnut syrup and a touch of chocolate whip cream. I didn’t normally splurge like that, but he tapped his credit card on the machine without even looking.

Instead of sitting across the table from me, he pulled our chairs close next to each other. “I want to know everything about you, Tara,” he said softly, staring into my eyes. “But I’m sorry, I only have half an hour. Is that enough time for your life story?”

“More than enough, actually,” I laughed, which seemed to amuse him, making those midnight eyes sparkle.

Jared sipped his coffee, leaning back as if he were about to memorize every word I spoke.

“Well, I grew up just two hours east of here. My parents were…fine, I guess. Not very interesting. My older sister Angela was the head cheerleader, the prom queen, the valedictorian, and she’s already happily married at twenty-five.”

Jared’s smile faded as he took my hand. “Sounds like there’s a lot of pressure for you to measure up.”

I shrugged. “Maybe it was actually sort of...liberating? I was never going to be good enough, so I just took my own path.”

“You’re not just good enough,” he said, smiling gently, “you’re spectacular. Please, go on.”

“I took a year of college to study business communications, and luckily got a job at a very fun company.”

His eyebrow raised as those unbelievable lips pulled to the side in a tiny smirk. “Let me guess. Something cute. One of those cat cafés.”

My laugh came out a bit louder than I expected. “Sometimes it does feel like I’m wrangling cats, yes.” I loved the way he squeezed my hand so gently, encouraging me to continue. “I’m the assistant manager at one of the seven Thompson’s Toddlers stores. I work at the one around the corner, and also help with the ordering for all of them. We supply children’s clothing, bedding, and toys to other stores all over the state as well.”

His deep eyes lit up with a bright smile. “That is cute. Think of all of the happy children because you got their toys to the right places.”

I nodded, staring into my coffee. “Someday I’d really love to be manager,” I nearly whispered, not quite believing I was saying it out loud to someone I barely knew. “I love studying trends and marketing, and think that we could find ways to make things easier for working parents.”

“Well, what are the steps you need to take in order for that to happen?” he asked quite seriously.

I shook my head. “I don’t think they’d ever consider me. I’ve only been there a few months.”

“So plan ahead,” he said brightly, as if planning my life was the most natural thing in the world. “Look at the qualifications of the other managers in the company, see what they did to get there, then copy them.”

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