Page 30 of Interning For A Billionaire

“God no!” He protested, “I am too scared of heights. Don’t know how you do that!”

Eventually, we packed up and headed back to the city. The wind had changed direction and was coming in stronger in the afternoon. We had our hands full keeping the boat on course. The water was choppier than in the morning and both of us were working the sails, bailing water to ensure we made it back.

“That was a good day,” I said to Nathan as we got off the boat.

“Thanks, bro.”

“How’s the hangover?”

“Gone!”

He laughed. “Nothing like the sea to wash the toxins away!”

“Totally!”

I then said, “Let’s do this again soon?”

Nathan turned to me. “Anytime… that is… anytime Jasmine doesn’t have ballet or Liam doesn’t have softball practice!” he shook his head. “Now Em has me signed up for Pilates too, can you image… apparently, it’s good for my core! But, hey, my sexy wife wants to spend time with me, I’m not complaining!”

He lifted his shirt, patting his non-existent belly.

I watched him get into his family car and drive off.

He had a family to go to, people who loved him and wanted to do stuff with him. Even if it was Pilates.

I had an empty apartment waiting for me, filled with the most expensive appliances and furniture money could buy. I was pleased for Nathan, glad that he had managed to find happiness despite the terrible example my father had set for us. I liked Emma too, we had always gotten on well, she was laid-back and friendly, the quintessential Californian beach babe, who’d happily traded her surfboard for a baby pram after marrying my brother.

I wasn’t always sure that kind of happiness was meant for me.

Maybe making money was all I was good for.

It wasn’t exactly the cheeriest of thoughts, but then again, there were worse things to be good at, I thought as I arrived at home.

Chapter 13

Belle

I managed to get off work early to meet Sven at the airport. Almost everyone in the office knew I was going to meet my boyfriend and I heard people calling out to me, “Have fun, Kansas!” and “Remember to use a condom!” as I left the building.

I didn’t look in the direction of Michael Greer’s office because I was determined to have a good weekend with Sven. He was coming for two nights. I had found us a nice hotel in town, not too expensive and close to all the major attractions. There was no way I was taking him to my apartment. Brianna and I tolerated each other, and we tried to avoid being in the apartment at the same time. She never let me forget that I was not her first choice of a roommate and after almost two months, I still felt uncomfortable around her. It wasn’t just that I wanted to avoid any awkwardness with Sven, but I didn’t want him to tell my father how crappy the apartment really was.

When I got to the airport, I rushed to the terminal and saw crowds of people pouring out the gate. I tried looking for a tall, blonde guy but it seemed as if every third man coming out fit that description. Finally, there were less people coming through, but I still hadn’t found Sven. He had texted me when he boarded, so I knew he was on the plane. I started looking around, trying to find him.

“Belle!”

I turned around and there he was.

He’d shaved his head and all his thick blonde hair was gone.

“Sven!”

He hugged me tightly, picking me up and twirling me around.

“It’s so good to see you!” he said, kissing me on the mouth.

“What happened to your hair?” I asked.

He ran a hand self-consciously over his shorn scalp.

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