Page 386 of Most Eligible Billionaire CEO

The waitress scurries off.

I scour the room before meeting his gaze. “This is a cool hangout.”

“Bygone is where I meet friends. I keep the more overrated Manhattan establishments for clients and prospects.”

“Glad to see I’m still on your good list,” I say.

We first met at a conference in San Francisco. He knew who I was before I introduced myself. Turns out, he’s a huge fan. Many moons ago, I was a rock god and lead singer of one of the bigger rock bands of our time. As an angel investor, Easton is a billionaire many times over. He has a flair for buying and selling companies at the right time. He took an interest in our company early on. Over the years, I’ve relied on his expertise.

“Always,” he says. “So, how was your stay in New York?”

After last week’s craziness, I couldn’t wait to get out of LA fast enough. My time in the Big Apple helped me regain my equilibrium. My sexy little stuck-up roomie is no longer on my mind. Bonus, Zelda is in my rearview mirror. I’m not sure how the conversation with his daughter started, but the pastor ate his words and shut the hell up about suing me after #BackdoorZelda exploded on social media, causing an embarrassing number of men to share their stories.

“Ten whirlwind days, but they were really productive,” I say.

“Good,” he says. “How’s life as a CEO treating you?”

“Hectic. Demanding. Stressful. Relentless at times. But it’s also humbling and incredibly rewarding. It’s more than I signed up for, but I wouldn’t give it up for the world.”

“From singer to kickass executive, who would’ve thought?” Easton says, not for the first time.

I’m about to shoot off a smart repartee, but the waitress is back with our drinks and food.

With a nod, we thank her.

“The American dream… anything is possible,” I say once she’s gone.

“I’ll drink to that,” Easton says, lifting his tumbler.

I mimic him and we clink our glasses.

For the next few minutes, we enjoy exceptional food and sip on smooth as velvet vodka.

“Wow,” I say, pointing at my plate after taking another bite.

“I know. This place is a gem.”

“Although this is your hangout, I hope you don’t mind if we talk business?” I ask.

“I’m willing to make an exception for you, Christensen.”

“I’m special?”

“You are,” he says with a laugh. “Seriously, you had a lot of questions and since you were going to be in town, meeting in person made more sense.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“You’re a CFO short?” he asks.

“Two, actually.”

He knits his eyebrows. “What am I missing?”

“Our CFO has been on maternity leave for two weeks now. We went through an executive agency to hire an interim, but the day before she was due to start, the agency called to let us know her son was rushed to ICU after a bad car accident. Eleven days later, he’s still in a coma.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Easton says.

“It’s a tragedy. Understandably, she stepped down before she even started.”

---