Page 10 of Platinum Love: A BWWM Romance

My alarm chimes. I toss back the covers hurrying to get dressed and meet Daddy in the kitchen over his morning coffee. I dress with professional precision in skinny leg pants, a crisp white blouse, and enough makeup to make my skin glow. I reach for my red lipstick and place it back.

Think business, Hunter. Daddy believes I don’t appreciate his hard work, I do. And as much as I can, I understand the gravity of being a self-made millionaire, sort of.

Hunter, you can’t admit that out loud. There has to be a middle ground. I slide my feet into a pair of professional heels. It takes every ounce of resolve not to groan. I feel itchy and stuffy and not like myself. But if I need to wear these god-awful clothes to make Daddy see, well then pass the blazer.

I grab my iPad, stopping in front of the mirror. It’s not as bad as I thought. I spin left and right, liking what I see. I grab a hair tie and pull my hair back. Maybe Daddy knows what he’s doing after all.

The chirp of my watch kicks me into gear. The reality of my situation echoes through my foggy brain. I’ve never had a job. I dropped out of college. I basically have no real career prospects.

“Good morning, Grace.”

“Miss Hunter.” Her eyes buck in surprise. I never wake up before ten, and it’s seven thirty. My appointment with Ben is at nine before he starts his shift.

Ben.

He’s the last person I should ask for help. But last night was the first time he actually said more than the polite niceties required by his job. His eyes held a kindness that almost overshadowed the heat my body feels when he’s near.

Why do I want a man who doesn’t want me?

That’s it. I double chop through the air, cutting through the bull. I’m banning all contact with men in the romantic capacity. It’s obvious I know nothing about the male species. I select cheaters, opportunists, men who want to be seen with me. None of which have a genuine interest in getting to know the real me. The me beneath this expensive sew in weave, these mink eyelash extensions, and these expensive threads. The woman who just wants someone to love me.

No more, no less. I can buy what I want, but what I need is someone who makes me feel special. No makeup, no hair, just Hunter.

And I can’t tell anyone this, not even my guys. Because I’m Hunter Preston. Life is a box of chocolates or roses, or any other inanimate object meant to explain the unexplainable I call life.

I guess I want that rainy day kind of love. Where I can curl up in my fuzzy pajamas and my fuzzy socks under my man? Someday. I sigh. Unfortunately, someday is not today.

I stop outside the kitchen, rolling my shoulders back. I’ve learned a thing or two from my father. I take a deep breath.

“Good morning, Daddy.” I stroll in, sitting my iPad and purse on the island.

“Junior.” Daddy’s mouth is wide open. “You look…different this morning. What’s on your agenda?”

I lean over, kissing his cheek and then move to grab a glass from the cabinet. I pour myself some juice.

“I’m meeting with a business…con-consultant.” That sounds official enough. Enough to take me seriously I hope. “To discuss my ideas.”

“A business consultant?” Daddy leans against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. His eyes are assessing me. Can he see my heart beating through my chest?

I can’t think of anything smart to say. So I unlock my phone swiping through my calendar. I’ll have to fake it until I figure this out, and I will figure it out. Last night, I tried to jot down notes for my meeting with Ben. Then I woke up this morning with my face using my iPad as a pillow.

“Yes. He’s a friend. I thought I’d get started right away. Thirty days will come and go before you know it.”

“I agree.”

I look up trying to read his closed expression. I want to ask for more time, for him to stop this crazy write a business plan talk.

“I’m proud of you, Junior.” He steps over cradling my face. He kisses my forehead.

“Thanks, Daddy. I’m only hoping I have a little of your brains and a lot of your gumption.”

“You have it in spades, Hunter. I believe in you.” He taps the end of my nose. “You are my platinum princess. The world is a better place with you in it.”

“Daddy.” I hold back tears. It’s our thing, and he’s using it. “But what if—”

“What if you exceed my expectations?” He smiles. “I’ll gladly give you twice the amount you need to get started. I’ll be your number one investor and your number one cheerleader.”

“Number two, dear.”

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