Page 134 of The Billionaire's Wake-up-call Girl

“You’ll have to talk to him another time.”

I peer helplessly in at the vast expanse of red carpet under glittering chandeliers, at the set of doors on the far side. Probably leading to the auditorium. Theo will be accepting his award in there. Feeling alone onstage. Like nobody knows him. Like nobody gets him. Like nobody’s with him.

I’m here.

I’m with you.

I turn away and text Willow. I still have her number from when Theo texted me from her phone that one time.

It’s Lizzie. Outside. I messed up. Can you get me in?

After what seems like forever, she texts back.

:(

A frown. What does it mean?

I go back to harassing the doormen. “You have to let me in,” I say. “He needs me there. It would mean everything.”

“Then he should’ve given you a ticket.”

“He asked me, but I thought I couldn’t at the time,” I say. “I was moving away, but I changed my mind over Willis Bridge. I turned my entire U-Haul of stuff around—”

“That was you out there with the U-Haul?” The one doorman shakes his head. The U-Haul detail doesn’t help my case.

“Please,” I say.

“We’re going to have to ask you to move on,” the one grumbles, already sick of my story. “Now.”

I start down the steps, wondering if I could sneak in some other way. Or at least wait for him on the sidewalk?

“Hey!”

I turn, and there’s Willow, holding open the door.

“What’s going on?” she asks.

I run back up the steps. “Your brother,” I say breathlessly. “I have to see him. I need to apologize and tell him…just so many things!”

Willow turns to the guards. “She gets to come in. She’s Theo’s important friend.”

“Not without an invitation,” the guard says.

The other guard is on his phone, probably with the cops. Nervously, I smooth down my red dress.

“Come on, I’m Theo Drummond’s sister.” Willow points to the sign. “I’m his sister.”

“I don’t care if you’re the Pope,” the other guard says.

There’s another figure in there, a woman in a green dress crossing the lobby. At first I think she’s carrying a fuzzy white purse, but then I realize it’s a little white dog—possibly the cutest dog I’ve ever seen.

She pushes out the door. “Willow? What’s going on out here?”

“Vicky,” Willow says. “This is Lizzie. We need to get her in. She’s with Theo.”

“You can’t have pets in there,” the first guard says.

“He’s not a pet,” Vicky says. “He’s Smuckers. A very important member of the Locke family.” She turns to me. “God, I love your dress. You’re with Theo?”

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