Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 115435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
“Excellent. I want you to feel me there all day.” Unable to resist, I kiss her once more, then walk away. “Have fun, bumble.”
“I plan to,” she yells after me, making me smile.
“The facade of the building has to remain the same because it’s a landmark,” Julie says as she shows us renderings of the new boutique hotel we’re about to break ground on. “But we can change the interior however we see fit.”
My phone rings, startling the people at the conference table, and when I see it’s Simon, I stand and excuse myself from the room.
“Update,” I bark into the phone as soon as I’m in the hallway.
I’m irritated as fuck. Why the fuck is Julie bringing this up again that we can’t change the facade? Of course we fucking can’t. That was known before we signed the goddamn contracts after we’d filed for developmental approval. This is such a waste of my time. I’d much rather be with my angel, buying her anything she wants, than sitting in this goddamn meeting rehashing irrelevant information on a new boutique hotel we signed on for twelve months ago.
“She’s in her third store of the morning,” he says. “She asked me to drop her off at a place called This & That in Downtown.”
My stomach drops. “What the hell do you mean, you’re in Downtown? Why aren’t you on Fifth Avenue?”
“She didn’t want to go there,” he replies, with no change in his voice. “She wanted to come Downtown, to these specific shops.”
“What is she doing right now?”
“I assume she’s shopping. I’m parked around the corner.”
What. The. Fuck. “I didn’t hire you to be a goddamn taxi. You’re her fucking detail. I want you with her, eyes on her, every minute I’m not with her. Get to her, now, and send me a photo.”
I hang up and immediately dial Billie’s number, but she doesn’t answer, so I send a text.
Answer your phone, angel.
I wait ten seconds and try once more, but it goes to voicemail again.
Billie, I need you to answer your fucking phone. Now.
Before I can call her again, Simon shoots through a text, and it’s a picture of Billie.
She’s grinning ear to ear, holding up a handbag, and it looks like she’s having the time of her life.
I dial Simon’s number.
“Yes, sir.”
“Let me talk to her,” I growl at him.
I can hear her voice in the background as he approaches.
“Miss Blackwell, I have Mr. Gallagher for you.”
“Oh! Thanks, Simon.” Her voice is closer when she says, “Hey there, handsome.”
“You’re not answering your phone.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. The ringer’s off, and I’ve been so busy finding fun things, I didn’t look at it.” I close my eyes as my heart settles, knowing she’s okay. “Is everything okay? Did you get a message from the credit card company? I only spent a couple of thousand at that last store, but if that’s more than you’d planned, I’ll totally pay you back. Sorry about that.”
I take my glasses off and pinch the bridge of my nose.
“No, a ghrá, spend whatever you want. Spend a million dollars. I don’t care. Why are you in Downtown?”
She’s quiet for a second, and then, “Because this is where the fun consignment shops are. I found a Chanel bag from 2022 that is impossible to get, Connor. And it wasn’t crazy expensive. There was an incredible pair of Dior slingbacks, in my size, never worn, and I had to have them. And then—”
“Billie.”
“Yeah?”
“I love that you’re having fun. But why aren’t you shopping on Fifth Avenue for new things?”
“Do you even know me? I love the hunt, and you know it. I’m in New York City, where people consign everything. Do you know that they have a Birkin in here, in my dream color and size? But I would never pay that much for a bag. I’m like a kid in a candy store, Connor. You can’t take this away from me.”
“I’m not trying to take anything away from you, mo rúnsearc. I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. Buy the Birkin.”
She giggles. “Absolutely not.”
“Let me talk to the manager.”
“No. You’re not buying me that bag, billionaire.”
“Billie. Give the phone to the fecking manager or salesperson or whatever.”
I hear her sigh, and then there’s jostling, and a woman says, “Yes, this is Olivia. How may I help you?”
“When the woman who passed you this phone checks out, she leaves with the Birkin she wants. If there are other things you think she’d enjoy, send them with her.”
“Yes, sir. I’m happy to help.”
After more jostling, Simon’s voice comes over the line.
“I’m back, sir.”
“If you want to keep this job, you won’t let her out of your sight again. She’s the most valuable thing in this world, and I want you to guard her like your goddamn life depends on it. Do you hear me?”