Page 106 of Rival to the Billionaire

It's as if they're waiting for me.

And when I look towards the front of the room, I see why.

Jenny's standing there, dressed in a figure-fitting ocean-blue blazer and matching skirt that is nothing like the black suits she could never seem to let go of. Her hair is loose for once, the copper-colored strands of it falling loosely past her shoulders. With her red glasses gone, you can see the subtle rise of her cheekbones, the gentle curve of her nose.

But it's her hazel eyes that hold my attention.

The look she gives me makes the hostility I'd felt when I walked away from her melt to nothingness.

"Ryder." She throws back her shoulders. "You made it."

The familiar wave of adrenaline that always strikes when she's near zips through me. I'm sure I look like a complete lunatic, standing frozen near the doorway, unable to believe what I'm seeing.

I don't know how or why she's here, but now that she is, I feel myself being drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

"I did," I manage to say. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm presenting." She glances at Derek. "On the Ultimate Reading app, of course." Jenny turns towards the room. "It's quite an honor to be here and show this to such a high-profile audience…and all thanks to Ryder, no less. He's the one who brought me on board. Mr. Anderson," she turns back to me, "this is a real honor for me."

"The honor's all mine." I’m surprised my voice is as strong as it sounds. I clear my throat. "I'm glad you could make it."

"So am I." Jenny glances at Derek. "I guess we'd better get started."

"Of course." Derek hesitates before turning towards the room. "Ah, everyone, allow me to hand this meeting over to Jenny Forde. She'll be taking over from where Ryder left off and giving today's presentation on the Ultimate Reading app. Jenny, I'd like you to take it from the beginning, if you don't mind."

Jenny's standing near the front of the room. As Derek and I take a seat at the table, she clears her throat before drawing in a deep breath and beginning to speak.

My mind still can't wrap around it.

I'm watching Jenny present on the project she spent the last few months trying to kill me over.

It's surreal, to say the least.

I watch as she transitions between slides and talks about the features of the app. She's an expert at what she's doing, giving everyone in the room a crash course in mobile development. I can tell just from her body language that she knows her material inside and out.

Jenny glances towards me occasionally. Every time she does, I feel the intense magnetism of her gaze on me.

It's impossible not to feel something when she's looking at me like that.

"That's it," Jenny says when she's finished. "And that's the Ultimate Reading app in its entirety."

The board actually breaks out in applause when she finishes. Jenny pauses for a second, looks around the room, and then turns her gaze towards me.

The smile she gives me is broad and contagious, her hazel eyes sparkling. She attracts attention from everyone in the room, including me. I stare at her, unable to remember that I've been so damn angry with her.

I'm in love with this woman. I don't know what it means or where it'll lead, but it's a reality as clear as day.

When she turns around, she's facing the crowd again.

"If you have any questions or comments, I'll be taking them now." Jenny glances at her notes before turning towards the crowd. "Ryder helped me out here, so if you have any questions about the app, feel free to ask."

I watch her face as she waits for them to fire off questions. She's more relaxed than I've ever seen her in my entire life.

Unable to resist, I raise my hand.

She looks at me and then back at the crowd.

It takes her a moment, but she eventually gives me an encouraging smile before calling on me. "Yes, Mr. Anderson? You have a question for me?"

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