Page 39 of The Billionaire and the Maid

“How? I mean, why do you have this and are you sure you want me to wear it?” I ask.

She laughs. “Yes, of course, I want you to wear it. It was a gift from a very special man, a very long time ago. But sadly, I never got a chance to wear it. So, I think you should do the honors,” she says as she wraps an arm around my shoulder and squeezes it.

“Thank you,” I whisper, leaning my head on her shoulder.

She kisses the side of my head. “Of course, my dear. I’m just glad I could help.”

“You always help,” I say.

“I will always try to help you, Ella. That’s a promise,” she replies.

I turn and hug her. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m grateful I have you,” I whisper.

“OK, that’s enough sappy drama for the day. We need to get you a hair and nail appointment,” Gus states.

My eyes widen as I pull back. I hadn’t even thought of that.

“Oh, for the love…you have to get your hair and nails done. And…” He motions to my crotch.

I place a hand over it.

“No way,” I state. I mean, Chase didn’t say anything about my, uh, landscaping. I’m fine, right? I feel the color seeping into my cheeks.

“Oh my God, we have so much work to do,” Gus grumbles.

“Now, now, Gus. Our girl is perfectly beautiful just the way she is. Oh, to be young and naturally gorgeous by society’s standards. Those were the days,” Greta laments.

“Whatever, if I look half as good as you in ten years, I’ll be thanking the beauty gods,” Gus says with an eye roll. He’s not wrong. Greta does look amazing for her age. She has to be in her mid-sixties but she looks closer to fifty.

“How old are you, anyhow?” Gus asks.

Greta laughs. “Dear boy, I’m old enough. That’s all you need to know.”

I giggle.

“I need to go. I have to be at the Pascals’ house for a job and then I have a date,” I say as I walk toward the hallway.

“Remember, you’re worth it,” Gus calls out.

“Yep,” I manage, half believing it.

* * *

I’ve showered but I still don’t feel clean. Should I have gone to get a Brazilian today? God, has Chase even seen pubic hair before mine? Mortification overtakes my senses and I spend five solid minutes grooming my nether regions.

“What am I doing?” I ask myself as I set my electric razor on my bathroom countertop.

I shake my head just as my phone pings with a message.

World’s Best Boyfriend: Be there in a minute.

I grin like a schoolgirl who’s about to go out with her crush. Then, I frown. I can’t get too carried away. This is purely fake. Right? Fuck, I have no idea what we are. Maybe I should start our date off with that conversation.

My head goes back to the mission at hand. Tonight’s date is a low-key party at his parents’ home. It’s in celebration of his grandfather’s birthday. Heather had the perfect dress for such an occasion, and I had matching shoes, which is highly unusual. Sadly, the shoes were purchased for a funeral of a friend’s parent last year, but maybe this will give them better vibes.

I take one more look in my mirror and head downstairs just in time for Chase to be pulling into the driveway. I see a curtain in Greta’s house sway, and I wonder if she’s keeping tabs on me.

I walk toward the car and Chase exits, walking up to me and pulling me into a hug.

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