Page 61 of Baby for My Enemy Billionaire

I see the lights still on as I approach The Little Red Bookshop. Hopefully, that means Jade is inside despite it being past opening hours. She’s probably sorting things out before going home. At least she doesn’t have to go far.

If I’m lucky, I might be able to catch her before she shuts the door on me. If I’m not, I will have to think of something else. I am not leaving until I know for sure that she’s safe and well. The thought of her being unwell makes me concerned for her. If she’s sick, she shouldn’t be alone.

I keep kicking myself for not going to see her sooner. Being away from Jade for a month has been more challenging than I thought. How could a woman like her, someone who drives me crazy with frustration as well as desire, make me feel like this? It doesn’t make any sense.

Fingers crossed, she doesn’t push me away this time. And hopefully, she won’t call the cops on me. I don’t want to have to deal with them as well.

There doesn’t seem to be any movement inside the store as I get closer, but that doesn’t mean anything. She could be in the stockroom or that little office I’ve seen behind the counter—or even stacking shelves. I would be surprised if I saw her standing in front of the door string out into the street.

Then I see someone on the floor. Someone appears to have fainted by the counter. I can’t see their face, but I don’t need to. I know who’s collapsed.

My heart is pounding as I run up to the door, grateful that the snow melted long ago and it’s not slippery anymore. I bang on the door, but Jade doesn’t move. She looks to be out cold.

Or something worse. God, I hope…

In my desperation, I try the door, only for it to open. She can’t have locked it yet. Taking advantage, I hurry inside and crouch beside her body.

“Jade! Jade, wake up!” I gently shake her, but she doesn’t initially respond. “Please, Jade, do something!”

I don’t know if it’s me shaking her or if she heard my voice, but Jade begins to stir. She moans, and her head moves, her eyelids fluttering. She reaches up and puts a hand over her forehead.

“What the…fuck, that hurt?”

“Jade? Are you okay?”

“What?” She blinks her eyes open as she moves her hand to one side, squinting up at me. “Finn? What…what are you doing here?”

“We can discuss that later. What happened? Were you attacked?”

“I…no, nothing like that.” Jade licks her lips and puts her hand back on her forehead again. She looks like she’s in pain. “I just passed out suddenly, that’s all. I think I hit my head as well. Might explain why my head is pounding.”

“You just passed out?”

“Yes. What time is it?”

I look up at the clock.

“Five-o-nine.”

“I’ve only been passed out for a few seconds, at the most.” Jade rolls onto her side. “Help me sit up, will you?”

“Should you? You did hit your head.”

“Just help me, Finn.”

I know better than to argue further, so I help her to sit up slowly. Jade grimaces as I lift her upright, and she shifts gingerly to lean against the counter. She closes her eyes for a moment and then opens them to look right at me. Mom is right; she doesn’t look well. I feel awful for not bothering her before if she was like this. I should have come sooner.

“What are you doing here?” Jade asks. Her mouth sounds hoarse. “I didn’t expect to see you. Unless you’re coming to collect the rent in person.”

I ignore the jab at my job. Now is not the time.

“Mom mentioned seeing you today and said she was worried about you. I thought I’d come and check up on you, see if you’re okay.”

“I’m fine.”

“Given what I’ve just witnessed, do you think you’re in a position to say that?”

Jade scowls.

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