Page 65 of Crazy Thing

Meghan beams at me. “My gosh, Zig. I had no idea you’d be here. You look so beautiful.”

Before I can return the compliment, she’s telling me all about her friends. The girls are absolutely lovely, making me question all my stereotypes about billionaire wives.

Just a few moments later, Isla is inviting me to visit her yoga and meditation center in Reyfield and Lexi is suggesting that I bring Daphne to her second hand bridal boutique in Crescent Harbor. There’s no weirdness, no sense that I don’t belong. The women are welcoming and curious about my metaphysical shop and about my job with Darius.

I get so caught up in our conversation that I almost forget what I’m even doing here at this gala. But then, a particular face catches my attention.

“That’s him,” I say to Darius, leaning in closely when I spot an older gentleman that matches the photos I’ve acquired. “That’s Robert Ross.”

Before I can ask Darius what he’s going to say, he excuses himself from the group of young billionaires and stalks off. Hobbling after him, I struggle to keep up as he makes a beeline for the waterfall’s owner.

“Hello, Mr. Ross,” Darius is already stating by the time I catch up. “Darius Brighton. I know you’re the owner of the waterfall property in Starlight Falls. You probably don’t know, but Edison—the guy you’re about to sell to—he’s an imbecile. So I’m here to take the property off your hands.You just need to tell the courtI’llbe acquiring the land instead of Edison.”

I groan inwardly.Well, damn.

Definitely not the most tactful approach. Okay, fine. Let’s be real—he just crashed and burned.

If I hadn’t spent the entire ride here gushing over a boy calling me ‘stunning’, I would have had the sense to make Darius practice his lines in the car.

I stand here, silently hoping that both of these wealthy men speak the same rich asshole language. But I can almost immediately tell that’snotthe case. Robert Ross’s face says it all.

“Excuse me?” The man rears back, looking affronted for being approached like this. Especially at a charity event.

It’s clear Robert isn’t taking Darius’s demands well. In fact, the way he’s glaring right now makes me worried that he’s about to risk it all and hit my ill-mannered boss.

I think it’s fair to say that Robert is not interested in doing business with Darius and people are beginning to stare. “Who the fuck do you think you are? Talking to me like that? I don’t have time for—”

Before things go completely off the rails, I shoulder my way into the middle of the conversation, in full charm mode.Because after all the work I’ve done to get us here, I’m not going to let Darius and his ego blow this conversation tonight.

“Hello there, Mr. Ross. I’m Ziggy Beaumont, and I’m honored to meet you.” I extend my arm.

He hesitates. He peeks at my boobs. Then he finally shakes my hand.

Ew.

Even still, I push forward. “I wassoimpressed by yourdonation tonight. Your generosity will undoubtedly help so many children,” I say graciously.

The man beams at me, standing a little taller. “Thank you, dear. This charity is a special one to me and my family. I grew up in a single parent household and it’s important to me to make an impact where it’s needed.”

“Oh, this charity is important to Mr. Brighton, too! He was getting ready to put in his donation for the night. You know, I’m sure he’d be willing to put it in under your name instead of his own.”

Meanwhile, I feel Darius bristling behind me.

I turn, smiling sweetly. “Would you like to grab us some drinks?” I suggest with a wink. I don’t think Darius likes being dismissed, but he looks ready to cut his losses. He stomps off, leaving me to work my magic.

“You’d do that?” Robert asks when I turn back around, looking pleasantly shocked. “I mean, Mr. Brighton would do that?”

“Of course. Withorwithout a meeting next week. But we’d like to ask you to reconsider Mr. Brighton’s offer. The man you’re selling to—Edison—he’s not a good man.”

Mr. Ross’s forehead creases with worry. “Is that so? I’ve had an unsettling feeling about that fellow. I can’t put a finger on it but something about him just doesn’t sit right with me.”

Shit. I’m getting somewhere. I’m getting through to him.

“The whole town of Starlight Falls loves your property and would hate to see it go to a selfish man like Edison,” I say.

Robert stares at me, assessing me for a long moment. Then he nods. “Fine. One meeting over lunch. I’ll hear Mr. Brighton out.”

I let out the breath I’ve been holding, knowing that ifDarius can sit down to negotiate with Robert, he might be able to convince him to do the right thing.

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