Page 27 of Marrying a Billionaire

“Can I get you a drink?” Reed asked, suddenly feeling the need to do something. After last night, he wasn’t sure what to say to her. He knew he’d upset her, but he still wasn’t sure why.

Her cheeks hinted pink as she nodded and sat down on a bar stool. “Thanks. Water.”

Reed nodded. “Coming right up.” He walked over to the fridge and pulled it open. After grabbing out a bottle of water, he set it on the counter, nudging the fridge door closed with his hip.

After he started a pot of coffee, he glanced over at Lillian. She looked contemplative as she studied him. Should he bring up the previous night? He wasn’t sure if she wanted to talk about it.

“Thanks for what you did. That studio is amazing. There are professionals I know that don’t have a state of the art studio like that.” She fiddled with the water bottle cap.

Reed’s chest swelled. She liked it. Even though her reaction last night left him worried, her words put him at ease. He hadn’t screwed up. He nodded. “I’m happy you like it. It’s all yours. I want you to feel like this place is your home.” He glanced around, taking note of the splashes of personality she’d put up around his apartment. It looked less sterile and more like a home.

“That’s kind of you,” she said.

There was a moment of silence while Reed met her gaze. For the first time, he held it. He allowed the feelings that brewed in his stomach. There was a connection there that was growing harder for him to deny. The intensity was getting too strong and he needed to break away.

“Eggs,” he blurted out.

Lillian raised her eyebrows.

Heat raced across Reed’s skin. He could be such an idiot sometimes. “Sorry. Would you like me to make you some eggs?”

“Oh. Sure.”

Reed nodded, grateful for the job he now had. He busied himself in the kitchen, grabbing out a pan and the eggs from the fridge. Once oil was heated, he cracked the shells and watched as the yolk and whites sizzled in the pan.

“Toast?”

She nodded.

Reed sliced some french bread that Desiree always bought him from a bakery down the street. He slipped the slices into the toaster and then turned. With nothing to do, he shoved his hands into his front pockets and studied Lillian.

“Wow, this is amazing. You could run a bed and breakfast,” she said. He reveled in the hint of a smile that played on her lips.

“I could, couldn’t I?” He grinned at her. Was it wrong that he liked the fact that she saw him as a capable person? Most women he dated whined about the fact that he didn’t have a full time cook to wait on their every whim. It was refreshing that he could feed his guest himself without complaints. That Lillian appreciated the fact that he wanted to do something for her.

Once their food was served, he grabbed both plates and nodded toward the table.

Lillian followed him. When they were sitting, Reed handed her a fork, and they ate in silence.

When they were finished, Reed grabbed her plate and stacked it on his. Lillian thanked him and leaned back.

“Did you have any plans for today?” Reed asked. He wasn’t sure how she was going to react to the fact that he wanted her to meet his grandfather. But it was a necessity that needed to happen. Might as well pull that Band-Aid off.

Lillian’s gaze made its way over to him. “No. Not particularly.”

Reed nodded. “Good. I want to visit my grandfather and introduce you to him. That way, when we announce that we are getting married soon, it won’t come as a shock. My grandfather doesn’t really read the tabloids so probably hasn’t heard.”

Lillian’s eyes widened. “What? You want me to meet him? Now?” She shifted in her seat.

“Yeah. Is that okay? I mean, you’re going to have to meet him soon anyway.” He shot her a supportive grin. “Plus, this way, it can be just you and me.”

Her cheeks reddened as she glanced up at him. “I guess,” she said. Her voice was quiet as she dropped her gaze to study the tabletop in front of her.

Relief washed over Reed. Having her agree lifted the weight that was sitting on his shoulders. If his grandfather didn’t believe that they were for real, then this whole situation was for nothing.

“Give me a half hour to shower and get ready,” she said, pushing away from the table and standing.

Reed nodded and watched as she walked out of the room. He breathed out the air he’d been holding and studied the plates in front of him. He could do this. It was just one meeting.

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