Page 85 of A Billionaire for Christmas
Levi shook his head. ‘Of course not. I think you’ll make a great success of it.’
‘You do?’
‘Your idea to run the restaurant as a bijou cooking school and a fine-dining experience is highly lucrative. With increased staff, you could still cater Lucca’s celebrity eventsandscale up the takeaway service. The sky’s the limit with the number of contacts we all have between us, and your skill and creativity.’
It sounded too good to be true and for the first time, Molly dared to believe she could do it. Excitement ripped through her. She would build Le Petit Ange’s brand in Ava’s memory and make a huge success out of it. She glanced at the time on her phone. ‘What if we don’t make it?’
‘We will.’
Levi had such a reassuring manner. Molly sagged back into her seat and tried to resend the email. She received an immediate out of office in return. She showed Levi.
‘The office will be open. I’ve already sent word to say we are en route.’
By the time the cabin crew had been round several times to ask if they would like a drink or a snack, and Molly had politely declined each time, the pilot announced they were preparing for landing.
‘That was so quick,’ Molly said, fastening her seatbelt. ‘I can’t thank you enough for all of this.’
Levi fixed her a look. ‘You saved my father’s life.’
Molly chewed her lip. ‘I just did what any hero would have done.’
‘You helped my sister through a troubled time.’
Molly shrugged. ‘We’ve all been there. Doesn’t hurt to be kind.’
‘You covered for Toby so that he wouldn’t be sacked.’
Molly tutted. ‘It’s not like he needs the money. He just has a huge crush on Freda.’
Levi looked amazed. ‘Does he?’ He tilted his head. ‘Not just a crazy-talented chef. You’re genuinely a very astute, smart, caring person.’
Molly blushed. ‘Speaking of astute. What’s the deal with Lucca and you? Does it have something to do with your ex-fiancée?’
Levi rolled his eyes. ‘It’s all in the past but yeah, it really ruined our relationship.’
‘Can I ask what happened?’
Levi stared out of the window. ‘Clarice told me Lucca had tried to seduce her. Lucca denied it but I took her side.’ He took in a deep breath. ‘But it turned out that he was right, and Clarice was lying.’
Poor Lucca.
‘Why would she do that?’
‘Apparently, Lucca had caught her cheating on me, and she tried to blackmail him into keeping silent. When that didn’t work, she accused him of coming onto her to drive a wedge between us.’
‘She cheated on you? Who with? One of the Hemsworths?’
Levi smirked. ‘Truthfully, she felt ignored. I was always too busy for her.’
Surprise, surprise.
‘Why didn’t you tell your parents? Valerie obviously has hopes you’ll get back together.’
‘Because Clarice is my mother’s best friend’s daughter. We all grew up together.’
‘And Lucca has never quite forgiven you?’
Levi shook his head sadly.
