Page 90 of The Grumpy Billionaire
“But first I want to call your father.”
“What?”
In my shock, I jerked the steering wheel and almost ended both our lives. I quickly righted the car, but not before frightening the poor driver in the next lane. He sped up and passed me, honking loudly.
“Be careful, Mara,” Mom warned. Then she resumed the topic at hand. “I’m ready to talk to him. I’ve put this off long enough. Maybe he’ll be able to join us for dinner.”
She sounded as if she’d just saidmaybe we’ll have rain tomorrow,instead of suggesting a get-together with her number-one-most-hated person.
“On second thought—I’d like to catch up with you tonight,” she said. “I’ll make plans to see him tomorrow. It’s probably best if he and I talk alone anyway.”
“Are you sure your doctor will think that’s a good idea?”
“She said it would be fine—helpful actually. I’m ready, Mara.” She smiled over at me from the passenger seat. “I’m ready to get on with my life.”
I’d never believed in miracles before that moment.
* * *
Monday was interview day.
True to his word, Reid stopped stalling and instructed Lee to make the arrangements. He’d decided on his house in Eastport Bay as the sit-down interview location.
We would pick up a few more sound bites later as the two of us, wearing wireless microphones, walked and talked on his property and put out to sea on his yacht. We’d probably be able to knock out both locations today.
Then we’d film at his company’s Providence headquarters tomorrow, taking an on-camera tour and getting a few more natural sound pops.
Sheldon started setting up the camera and stand lights in Reid’s living room, even using reflectors to make sure the lighting was perfect.
To get out of his way, Reid and I went into the kitchen.
“You nervous?” Unbuttoning Reid’s shirt all the way, I pressed my lips to his kissable chest before re-buttoning the shirt with the mic cord hidden inside.
He smiled down at me. “Now why didn’t you do itthatway the day of the first interview? I probably would have been in a much better mood.”
He dipped his head, aiming for my mouth.
“Stop it,” I hissed. “Sheldon is right in the next room.”
I gave him a mock-severe look. “Beprofessional, Mr. Mancini, or all your private business is going to get out.”
Reid’s expression morphed into a seductive smolder. “We’ll discuss my privates later, Miss Neely.”
He laughed at my playful slap to his bicep. “Anyway, I don’t care if people know about us. In fact, I want the world to know.”
Lifting his chin like a Medievalherald, he cupped a hand around his mouth and raised his voice to a near-shout. “I have the most beautiful girl—”
I slapped my hand over his mouth. “Shhh—you idiot.”
Sheldon appeared in the kitchen doorway, and I leapt back from Reid.
With a glance from one to the other of us, the photographer asked, “You guys ready? I’m all set up in here.”
Straightening my outfit, I moved toward him with a confident stride. “Yes. Let’s get started. A lot to get done today—no time to waste.”
I glanced back at Reid, who’d fallen into step behind me. He gave me a wicked grin and made kissy-face lips at me.
The interview went smoothly. Reid seemed comfortable, relaxed. He smiled at the right moments, came across as smart and sincere—all in all, he gave computer nerds a good name.
