Page 42 of Baby for My Enemy Billionaire

Maddison smiles.

“They always considered you a mild young woman who would never get upset. Then you blew up on them, and they regret thinking you could be even-tempered.”

I don’t know if I should take that as a compliment or not. I’m too tired to accept it in any capacity. Not with these numbers adding up in a way that I don’t like. Putting my pen down, I rub my hands over my face, feeling a yawn coming on.

“Maybe we should stop for now,” Maddison suggests. “You’re clearly exhausted, and this isn’t going anywhere.”

“I want to get everything in order so I can go to my landlord and lay out my accounts. I want to show him that the way things were before he took over was fine, and I’m a perfect tenant.”

“Do you think he’s going to listen?”

“I’ll make him listen. I can’t afford to go any higher, and once he sees that I’m actually a good tenant...”

I know I’m babbling now, and none of it makes sense. I’m getting desperate at this point, and knowing I’m close to losing my job and home is scary. I can see it looming on the horizon and the tension knots up to the point that my body feels so stiff. I can barely sit still, and I’ve struggled to sleep lately because of all this.

He may not be willing to listen, but I have to try.

“What are you going to do if he won’t listen?” Maddison asks. “If you need me to forward you some money…”

“No, Mads. I said I wouldn’t do that. I would never ask you for money!”

“We’re friends, and I’m willing to help you out.”

“I appreciate it, but I can’t accept it.” I try to ignore the tightness in my chest. “Dad’s been offering me money as well, but I can’t accept it from him, either. I’ve always been independent.”

“He’ll understand. He always wants to look out for you.”

“If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out.” I rub my eyes. “I will have to go back to Dad’s, live with him, and find another job. Knowing that my business has failed will be embarrassing, but at least I’ll know I tried. And that I did something that I loved for some years.”

Maddison peers at me curiously.

“I’m surprised you can have a slightly positive outlook on this.”

“It’s easier said than done. I have to do it, or I will have a breakdown.”

“I get that.” Maddison reaches for her soda can and takes a gulp from it. “You don’t necessarily have to go back to your dad’s. I’m in the process of looking for a new place, remember?”

“How could I forget? You’ve been moaning about it.”

“Well, come and live with me. The offer is still there. And if you can’t get your new landlord to agree to our original agreement, you’ll have a backup place.”

I manage a smile at my friend. My gratitude for her is enormous right now. Maddison has always been there for me, and I am eternally grateful. It’s hard to imagine that I’ve got such a fantastic person in my life.

“What did I do to deserve a friend like you?”

Maddison winks at me.

“All you needed to do was be your awesome self. Nothing more. Friends help each other out, don’t we?”

“I will need to find something to do for you in return.”

“No need for that. You should just focus on saving your bookstore and keeping your home. I know how much this means to you.”

I get distracted by my phone ringing again. Knowing that I’m going to see Nate’s name come up, I check. But instead, it’s Carmen’s name, I can see. Groaning, I put the phone back down.

“God, not her as well.”

“Who? Carmen?”

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