Page 69 of The Billionaire's Claim: Redemption
“Your brother Ryder?” She blinks a few times, then her mouth forms an O. “Ryder Reed?”
“Uh-huh. He’s all about spoiling his wife. It’ll make headlines.”
“Oh my God! Really?” She starts to fan herself, her hands moving like a hummingbird’s wings, her reluctance forgotten.
“Yup. So come on. Work up some designs, and I’ll ask him what he thinks.”
“Oh my God, oh my God! Does this mean I get to meet him?”
“If you want.”
“Yes!” She jumps, then yelps when she spills the hot coffee on her hand. “Ack, I’m so clumsy! Sorry.” She wipes the spilled coffee up, but there are some brown splatters on her white shirt. “Ugh. I really wanted to wear this to see Bea today.”
“Wanna borrow one of my shirts?”
“No. It’s okay. She wanted to see me in this one because it’s her design. I’ll have to tell her I couldn’t wear it.”
“Tell her Ryder’s going to buy your jewelry.”
“No! That’ll jinx it!”
I laugh as she disappears into her bedroom.
Tolyan sighs. “Does every woman become stupid when she hears your brother’s name?”
“He’s a movie star. That’s why.”
“I never understood the attraction.”
“You’re a man.”
He grunts, unimpressed with my explanation and my Hollywood star brother. “It’s too bad Dominic had to work.”
“He’s a busy man, and Saturday or not, business deals wait for no one.” I go to the living room, take a couch and turn on the TV. “He said he’d be done before lunch.”
While I browse Dominic’s movie selection, Kristen’s bodyguard slips inside. She managed to conv
ince Antoine to get the security detail down to one, saying it was ridiculous for her to have two when she wasn’t the target. The man seems competent, and he always shows up on time—Kristen doesn’t have him sleep in the penthouse, since Tolyan and Antoine are guarding the place at night.
A few minutes later, Kristen shows in a new shirt and leaves with a cheery wave. “See you tonight!”
“Have fun with your friend!” I say.
Tolyan watches the door, making sure it clicks shut all the way.
“Found it!” I cry out triumphantly.
“What?”
“Casablanca! I knew it would be here.”
“Dominic’s not the man I thought he was.”
I laugh. “Not his choice. I knew Kristen would like it.”
The movie’s such a classic, and I absolutely adore it. Tolyan yawns at least ten times. Sometimes he merely snorts, but he doesn’t comment, for which I’m grateful. He most likely doesn’t have anything complimentary to say.
“The main character’s stupid. He should’ve kept the girl.”
