Page 70 of Meet Jon, the Billionaire

“Yes, but some of those people are my good friends, and smart enough to see the Petunia Pies for what they are—the perfect panacea for all that ails Acme Bread.”

“I hope you’re right.” She tugged at the collar of her charcoal blazer. “Are you sure I look all right? I’ve never worn a pantsuit before.”

“You look great.” It was the truth. The sleek suit I’d purchased for her—though she’d initially tried to object at the expenditure, given we were officially broken up—accentuated her figure while also presenting a businesslike aesthetic. I’d be inclined to buy anything off of her.

“I still think I could have worn a skirt.”

‘You could have, but our research suggested that—”

“Yes, yes, presentations given by women in pants tend to be more successful than those given by women in skirts. You don’t have to remind me. I can’t believe people are still so sexist.”

“Not my friends, I assure you. And not me.” I took her by the hand and looked her directly in the eye. “You’re going to knock them dead up there.”

“Let’s hope not. I’d hate to think the pies were lethal.”

We headed inside the building and took the express elevator all the way to the top. “This is incredible. I feel like I’m in a future building.”

“There are buildings in Abu Dhabi and other places around the world that make this look like Bedrock from the Flintstones.” I chuckled. “Still, it is a nice building.”

We reached the top floor and stepped out. I spotted Mason sweet-talking a delivery woman by the board room’s double doors.

I couldn’t resist fucking with him.

“Watch this,” I said to Amelia.

I strolled over to Mason and the delivery woman and slapped a hand on his shoulder.

“Good news from your doctor, that wasn’t a genital wart after all, it was just a tumor.”

The delivery woman beat a hasty retreat as he gave me a withering glare. “You asshole.”

“Turnabout is fair play. Or do you not remember when you ruined my chances with Dawn Weis by pretending to be my lover from summer camp?”

“Oh yeah, I do remember that…” he burst into laughter. “Actually, that was really cool.”

“Yeah, well paybacks are a bitch, fuckhead.” I slapped him on the shoulder. “Are the rest of the board inside already?”

“Yeah, I’m the last holdout.” He clapped my arm. “Good luck, you stupid bastard.”

“Thanks, you prick.”

I returned to Amelia. She was giving me a baleful eye.

“What?”

“Are you certain that it’s a good idea to piss off one of the people who will soon be deciding our fates?”

“Oh, that?” I laughed. “That was nothing. Trust me, if I didn’t fuck with him, Mason would get all mopey. Besides, he has it coming, believe me.”

“Well, if you say so.” She sighed. “This is your world, not mine.”

“I thought you worked on Wall Street?”

“I did, and most of the time I stared at a screen or talked on the phone. I never had to make presentations. I’m in a hostile environment, I’m totally unprepared, and I’m surrounded by people who could crush me. It’s like being a freshman in high school all over again.”

I laughed, and for a moment forgot all about the fact that soon we would be parting… permanently.

“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,” I said as I pushed the door open ahead of us. “Today is your lucky day.”

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