Page 46 of Her Big Fat Hunky Billionaire Boss

Damian’s phone chimed as he stepped out into the hallway with his ice bucket. He looked at the screen. What was his CFO doing calling him on a Sunday evening? He quickly answered. “Chuck, what’s up?”

“Sorry to bother you. I just got wind of something, so I thought I’d call and let you know.”

“What is it?”

“Consolidated Tech is making a play for IMB. I’ve been trying to handle things, but it looks like IMB is going to make their decision soon, and I’m not sure we are in the lead.”

Damian gripped the phone tight. “Are you kidding me? We need IMB.”

“I know. Things spiraled out of control on Friday. I should have called sooner. I need you here, to run the negotiations.”

Damian held in a swear word. He shouldn’t have left town. He knew things weren’t in the bag with IMB. “How long can you hold things off? I can’t leave right away.”

“I might be able to stretch things out a day. Can you make it back by Tuesday?”

“I’ll see what I can do. Thanks, Chuck.”

“No problem.”

Damian hung up and stuck the ice bucket in the machine. He had to finish up his business here, and quickly. If they lost the IMB deal, they’d lose out on potentially millions of dollars. He couldn’t waste any more time on this stupid newspaper.

Maybe if he confronted Lydia, he’d get the answers he needed. He’d go into her office first thing in the morning and make her talk. And if she didn’t know anything, he’d pull the plug and go back to New York.

He walked back to his room and set down the bucket of ice. His thoughts wandered back to Kat. Why had he been so flirty with her earlier? He’d messed things up big time. Yes, she was original. And beautiful. And he couldn’t stop thinking about her. But that’s where it had to end. Amelia was in New York. Amelia was in his social class. He liked her. She was who he should be thinking about.

He picked up his phone and dialed Amelia’s number. She answered on the second ring. “Hello?”

“Amelia. I’m glad you picked up. Is this a bad time, or can you talk?”

“I can talk.”

“Good.” Damian took off his shoes and sat down on his bed. “I’m having a dilemma and I thought talking it out would help.”

“Go ahead.”

“Something’s come up at work and I have to go back to New York. But I haven’t gotten the information I need from here yet. I want to know why this small-town newspaper was on the books, but it’s not worth the risk of losing the business deal in New York.”

“Maybe you should go back to New York and leave the newspaper on your books for a while. It’s not hurting anything, is it?”

“No, but I want to resolve this while I’m here. It would just be easier.” Damian stretched out on the bed.

Amelia sat silent for a moment. “Maybe it’s best if you don’t resolve it,” she said, her voice low.

“What does that mean?”

“I don’t know. I’m just being selfish I guess. You should do what you feel is right.”

Selfish? What was she talking about? “I’m not sure what’s right. I don’t have all the information I need to make an informed decision.”

Amelia let out a breath. “Have you gotten to know the people who work at the newspaper?”

“Only one. But she’s just the secretary.”

“Ouch, Damian. You sound like such a snob right now.”

Damian pulled the phone away from his ear to look at it. He’d called Amelia, right? “I’m not a snob. I’m a realist. The secretary is a nice woman, but that’s not any reason to keep a struggling business on the books.”

“Well then shut the place down and go back to New York.”

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