Page 18 of Her Billion Dollar Groom

“Believe me. I have no desire to try,” I say dryly.

“Thanks, Jace,” she says. “We are going to get on so well.”

She waltzes off, leaving me alone in my office.

I sigh.

Even though I turn back to my computer, I can’t concentrate on my work. How am I supposed to after that? How am I supposed to know what to think? She’s an enigma to me; one second hot, one second cold, her opinions almost always childish, but maybe a bit cunning, even manipulative.

She’s a whirlwind, and she’s blown into my house, leaving a wake of destruction in my serene peace and quiet. Sure, she’s doing wonders for my business, but that’s where the wonder stops.

It doesn’t matter how pretty she is. Sleepless nights surely can’t be worth it.

Did I really agree to a whole year?

CHAPTER 12

ELIZA

Aweek passes before I finally persuade Jason that leaving the house is good for a person.

I knew he was an introvert, but I didn’t think we were going to have to spend every second in the house together. Well, together is a strong word for what we do. He’s asleep before ten most days and works most of the rest of the day. We’ve barely seen each other at all, and when we have, he’s acted like he’s annoyed with me for breathing.

It’s a shame because I have wanted to see him. I’ve lived alone for a while, and I thought the company might be nice. And despite his introverted ways, I thought it might be nice for him too. That’s why, when the weekend rolls around and he can’t justify spending all day behind his computer, I set my alarm to force myself to get up early.

And when ten AM hits, I meet him in the dining room with a grin on my face. “We’re going to the mall,” I announce.

“We?” he questions.

“We.” I repeat.

He blinks for a second, then slowly asks, “Why?”

“For fun. Jason, we haven’t done anything together all week. I’m bored.”

“Well, I’m busy,” he tries, but I shake my head.

“You’ve been busy all week. You can take one morning off on the weekend, can’t you? You’re the CEO. We’re going to the mall and we’re going to give you a makeover.”

“A makeover?”

His face falls hard at that, and I know exactly what he’s thinking - that I’m going to behave like some teenage girl who wants to dress him tip to toe in pink and paint his nails. I know I dress a little outlandishly sometimes, but he’s not that type of guy. He’s smart and well put together, but he’s not fashionable. There’s no sense of personal style in what he wears.

This is why no one thinks he’s cool. No one knows who he is.

“Come with me,” I pout, trudging around the table to where he’s sitting, leaning over his shoulder and frowning at him. “For me? I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do, I promise. And think of the PR. It’s good for people to see us out together. You don’t want them to start talking…”

I leave the rest of that sentence hanging, knowing that the company is the way to his heart. He sits debating with himself for a second, then sighs, and gives in.

“Fine, I’ll come with you, but I’m not wearing anything stupid.”

“I’m not going to make you look stupid, silly. I’m going to make you look cool. You can’t just wear gray suits for the rest of yourlife. If you’re going to be a CEO that everyone loves, you need to look the part.”

He isn’t happy, but he doesn’t argue any further.

His driver takes us to the mall, and when we step out, Jason instantly shrinks, his eyes darting around like he thinks everyone else is watching him. “Come on,” I say, offering my hand to him.

I’m not really expecting him to take it, but when he does, I’m surprised at how soft and warm it is — how well it fits in mine. I know it’s all for the act of our relationship, but it is a comfort. It feels right.

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