Page 40 of Her Big Fat Hunky Billionaire Boss

“Yeah,” he said, turning to her sister. “I heard you want to go to culinary school.”

“I’d love to.” Hilary smiled. “But that’s just a dream.” She looked down at her plate and stabbed at a green bean. Kat’s heart went out to her. There’s nothing more her sister would love to do. If only she was making more at work, she could help her sister realize her dream. But even if she made reporter, there wouldn’t be enough to pay all the bills, keep her mother in the facility, and pay for culinary school.

“A dream that you could make happen.” Damian ate a bite of the chicken and made a face like he was eating a piece of heaven. “And you’d be very successful. This is delicious.”

Hilary blushed. “Thanks.” She didn’t lift her gaze.

Kat grew annoyed at Damian. He didn’t know their situation. She’d tried to tell him about their mother, but he didn’t understand the money it drained from both of them. And his solution would be to move to a big city to get a higher paying job, but they couldn’t leave their mother sitting in a room in Pleasant Hollow Senior Center, like a forgotten piece of furniture. She was their flesh and blood, even if she didn’t remember it anymore.

Kat cleared her throat, ready to change the subject. “Where did you go to school, Damian?”

“Stanford.”

“Business?”

Damian looked like he was trying to figure her out as if he wasn’t sure why she was suddenly asking about his schooling. “Yes.”

“Did you always know you were going to take over Warren Industries?”

“It’s been the plan ever since I was born.”

Kat picked up her water glass. “And you enjoy it?”

He stared at her, his gaze boring into her. “Of course.”

“You never tire of it? Seems like a boring life, just working all the time.”

He flinched a little before Hilary interrupted. “I’m sure he does other things with his time, Kat.”

She raised an eyebrow at him. “He told me last night he likes to concentrate on work, at the office, and at home.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt guilty. Why was she badgering him like that?

“What time does the fundraiser start?” Damian continued to stare at Kat, even though the question was directed at Hilary.

“Two o’clock,” Hilary said, her gaze ping-ponging back and forth between them.

“We’d best hurry, then.” Damian finally broke his gaze, digging into his lunch.

Kat welcomed the silence as they ate. She had no idea why she was sparing with him. She needed to stop acting like a stupid teenager. After they cleaned up, Damian helped her and Hilary bring all the baked goods to the car. They traveled to the facility in silence.

When they got to the Pleasant Hollow Senior Center, Kat brought in four plates of cookies while Damian held the door for her. She and Damian helped set up the tables for the baked goods. When everything was set up Damian folded his arms and studied her. “Can I meet your mother?”

Conflicting feelings surged in Kat. She loved her mother, but it was always difficult to visit her, and she wasn’t sure what kind of a day she was having. And why did Damian care, anyway? After considering it, she decided it would be okay to take him down there for a minute, so she nodded. “All right.”

Kat walked down the hallway to room #132, Damian beside her. She knocked lightly on the door before letting herself in. “Mom?”

Her mother sat in her floral chair by the window. She turned to look at Kat. “Who are you looking for, Dear? I’m afraid it’s just me in here.”

Kat’s heart sank. The days when her mother would recognize her were growing farther apart. “Mom, I want you to meet someone. This is Damian Warren. He owns the newspaper. Damian, this is my mother, Anabella Fox.”

Damian stepped forward and extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Fox.”

Her mother’s eyes lit up as she shook his hand. “Oh, aren’t you handsome.”

Kat wanted to crawl under the bed. “Mom!”

Damian just chuckled. “You look lovely today, Mrs. Fox.”

Her mother patted the back of her hair. Besides a few stray grey strands, it was still dark brown, making her mother look young. “Thank you. Are you here to fix the sink? It’s been acting up today.”

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