Page 73 of The Billionaire Is Back

But I can’t do a belly flop onto the mattress because I find a huge black box waiting for me there. It has a big jade-green bow and a notecard with my name on it. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if Molly Ringwald climbs out of this box and helps me do my hair and makeup for the event.

What I don’t expect is to start tearing up as soon as I see Grady’s handwriting instead of his assistant’s.

Claire,

I hope the master class with Peter Broadway was instructive. I also hope it proved to you that all the hard work you’ve done, the countless hours and days and years of sweat equity you’ve put into becoming the best possible baker you can be has put you in a place where you can stand next to the best bakers in the world. As a peer.

I hope Peter made you feel like you belong.

Because you do.

And if he didn’t make you feel that way, I will crush him.

Inside this box is something I had designed for you. I commissioned it a week ago, before you’d even agreed to come with me, and then I asked your best friend for your size and approximate measurements. My point is not that I knew with certainty that you would come with me—my point is that I wanted you to know with certainty how beautiful you are. That you will be the most beautiful girl in the ballroom, just as I have, truly, always known you were the most beautiful girl in the room, on the beach, in town.

You deserve to be here as much as I do.

You are world class.

All my best,

Grady

PS: I will just say right now, in case you didn’t know, that Vera Wang does indeed design non-wedding gowns. That’s not what this is. So calm down.

PPS: There are three pairs of shoes and a jewelry box inside the large black box, so don’t throw out the box when you see the dress.

PPPS: Seriously, calm down.

Calm down, my ass.

I pull the cover off the box, tear through the gold tissue paper, and pull out the most beautiful French tulle gown I have ever seen. The fabric is a pale cobalt green,like watercolor, with an ombré effect. There’s an elastic waistband, and the material is so light and airy that it will drape beautifully even though I’m pretty sure my waistline has expanded by a few inches since yesterday morning.

I’m going to look as good as I feel tonight.

In a Vera freaking Wang dress!

Grady has won.

Which is still a little terrifying because if he’s won, that means I’m going to lose. I’m going to lose control. I’m going to lose my mind and my heart. I’m going to be lost. Lost in his eyes, his confidence, his kindness and strength. Just as I lose myself in his kisses and his promises and his passion for me.

But if I take one fun step at a time, maybe I’ll find myself in him too.

Chapter 19

You Had Me at Marshmallow

Grady

“Okay,I have to wrap this up. How about a compromise? Dad gets grilled chicken instead of steak for dinner. No barbecue sauce, no fries, extra helping of broccoli, but with grated cheese on top. Fair?” I should not have called to check up on my parents right before the gala.

“Absolutely not,” my dad grumbles at the same time as my mother sighs and says, “Fair.”

“This isn’t living,” he complains. “A steak-free life is a fate worse than death.”

“Well, call me selfish, Michael, but I would still rather see you suffer through a somewhat-low-cholesterol dinner than live without you.”

“Well, call me masochistic, but I’d still rather suffer through your loving guilt trips and a meal of flavorless white meat than drop deadof a heart attack.”

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