Page 56 of His Long-Lost Baby

“And how about the other app?” I ask. “How is that going?”

I should already be in the know on this, but I invest in so many businesses it’s impossible to keep up with each individual one.

His face lights up. “Wonderful. We’re making great strides with it. Hey, why don’t I send you a link to the latest version, so you can check it out?”

I smile. “That would be great. Still got my email?”

“Of course,” Richard says as he pulls out his phone. “I’ll send that over to you right now.”

As Richard types on his phone, I can’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. This is what it’s all about — investing in people and ideas that have the potential to change the world. It’s why I work so hard, why I come to conferences like this one. Not for the shallow conversations, but for the chance to find the next big thing.

“Done,” Richard says as he puts his phone away. “All the info on the smartwatch project is in there too.”

“Great.” I nod at him. “Talk soon.”

I turn to walk away just as a woman with a clipboard approaches me. “Mr. Garris, are you ready for you presentation?”

I nod. “Yep.”

Thanks to Billie, I’m ready. If she hadn’t stayed up all night to help me prepare, I would just be winging it up on the stage today.

I make my way to the stage, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. This is what I love — being able to share my vision with the world, to inspire others to take risks and make a difference.

As I begin my presentation, I can feel the energy in the room shift. People lean forward, their eyes intent on mine, as I outline GarrisTech’s game-changing venture into the AI sphere. My words flow effortlessly as I draw on my passion and expertise, and when I finally finish, the applause is thunderous.

But amidst the cheers and whistles, I can’t help but feel a sense of emptiness. I’ve accomplished so much, but at what cost? I’ve spent countless hours poring over spreadsheets and projections, meeting with investors and strategizing with my team. But what about the people in my life who matter?

I search the crowd, and then I see her. She’s pressed against the wall in the very back of the room, looking like an angel among the mortals.

Billie.

Will she have me, another mere mortal?

Or will I be left in her dust, looking like a fool?

I clear my throat and gather my wits. People come across the stage to shake my hand, to kiss my ass, but none of it really matters right now.

I’ve taken a thousand risks in my career, but none of them felt as scary as what I’m about to do.

Crazy, right? All I’m doing is asking a woman to be my girlfriend — all my work policies about not dating be damned.

And yet… it feels like I’m on the edge of a cliff, preparing to jump without a parachute.

It’s exhilarating. Terrifying.

And it feels one-hundred percent right.

CHAPTER19

BILLIE

Standing in the back of the room, I twist my hands. James looks so confident at the podium, the whole crowd hanging on his every word.

The pride filling my chest is immeasurable.

I know how much hard work he has put into this project, and to see it come to life like this is a true accomplishment.

But as he scans the crowd, his eyes eventually find me. I freeze like a deer caught in headlights.

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