Page 29 of Billionaire Grump

Cleo’s grinning at me. “Why do I get the feeling you’re not?”

7

By Friday morning, I’m convinced this whole “fake date” was an extremely bad idea.

Cleo came over last night and packed my weekend bag for me, with bikinis, a few barely-there dresses and several minuscule silk shreds of lingerie. I’ve been instructed to “pull out all the stops” to make entirely sure that Alexander’s ex believes beyond a shadow of a doubt that he and I are madly in love.

I keep checking my phone, expecting the text message from Cleo to tell me Alexander has called the whole thing off. I’m sure he’ll come to his senses. Two hundred and fifty thousand for one weekend seems very over the top. Can’t he just tell his ex he’s no longer interested in her and be done with it?

The message doesn’t come.

Nothing from Josh either.

I also haven’t heard from any detectives or lawyers, so at least there’s that.

I go through my yoga routine. Then I do my ten minutes of meditation.

Then I grab my guitar, go out to my sunny little balcony and make the most of my brief window of quiet. I start strumming the new song I’m working on.

From where it’s sitting on the table, my phone vibrates with an incoming text.

Checking my phone, I see the text is from Cleo and I’m relieved. I can spend the weekend working on my music instead of awkwardly pretending to be some random billionaire’s true love.

Thank me later. I managed to talk them into adding an extra fifty grand. Work it, girl!

Shit. So this is really happening.

Also, a limo will pick you up in front of your building at four thirty. So you don’t have to schlep your way over to Park Avenue. Alexander suggested it

Oh, and according to Noah, he’s been staring at your photo “raptly” since Wednesday. But they have no idea about your identity beyond your first name and that one photograph. Your girl has your back!! Call me at 3. I need to give you another pep talk before your limo pick-up [heart emoji] [kiss emoji] [painting nails emoji]

A flurry of butterflies flutters through my stomach at the thought of getting picked up by Alexander Maddox’s limo.

Like Cleo pointed out, I am a born performer—on stage. I love playing music and I don’t really get stage fright. I genuinely enjoy having an audience.

But this is different.

Sit on his lap, Cleo insisted. Play with his hair. Kiss him when the ex is watching.

I don’t even know how to kiss.

Even Cleo doesn’t know I’m still a virgin. I don’t know why I’m secretive about it. I guess I’m a little self-conscious about the fact that I’m 23 and incredibly inexperienced.

I’ve hardly ever dated, mostly because I’ve always been so preoccupied with doing my best to improve our situation. It’s taken a lot of work and a lot of time.

I also shared a bedroom with my little brother until two years ago. And since then, well, guilty as charged: I’ve been focused on making sure Josh is on track.

It’s true that I get a lot of offers from men. Online and at my gigs. But my schedule is full and it always feels like too much to take on. I can admit I’m overly protective of Josh, or maybe it’s just that I don’t want to introduce someone into his life until I’m sure it’s someone who will stick around—and who I want to stick around. And I can never be sure about that.

I have trust issues when it comes to men, for obvious reasons. I don’t overanalyze it. It is what it is. My father is the most unreliable person I’ve ever known and it’s caused Josh and me a lot of pain and angst over the years. But we’re okay now. So the last thing I want to do is rock our boat by inviting some fly-by-night stranger into our home and our lives. It’s taken me too long to feel safe to risk that.

I know I’m overly cautious but I’ve forgiven myself for that. It’s always been my plan to wait. To make sure Josh is good, and once he is, then I’ll eventually focus on my own needs and wants.

Which, according to Cleo—and I guess I have to agree—it’s now time to do.

After this weekend, I decide I’m going to do exactly that. I’ll have enough money in the bank to not have to panic, knowing the finances are at least on track to give Josh whatever he needs.

Then I’ll begin to test the waters in the dating scene.