Page 46 of Billionaire Romance

3

Sally

When the phone chimes I open my eyes. I've been lying in bed since I got home, kind of sleeping, kind of not. The adrenaline really took it out of me, but also the overwhelming knowledge that I no longer have a job. It's not like I really wanted to be working at a chocolate cart, but it was comfortable and easy. Now I'm not sure what I'm going to do.

I grab for my phone at the nightstand, and my eyes go wide. It's Bianca. I honestly didn't think I'd be hearing from her today, or ever, really. She didn't want to give me her number, I could tell that. I was going to reach out once I had saved up enough money to pay her back. That could have taken months though. I swipe the message open.

Do you have plans for Valentine’s Day?

Not exactly what I was expecting, then again I don't know what I was expecting. The last thing I want to do is admit that I'm a pathetic loser who's staying home alone and getting drunk on Valentine’s Day. Is there something I can say that would be believable? What kind of plans would I have? I could say I have a boyfriend, but that would probably not work. Bianca saw what a spaz I am. No one's going to believe that I have a boyfriend after watching that fiasco. The second thought hits. Is she hitting on me? I mean, that would be flattering, but she's not my type.

Ugh, I finally decide that the truth is the best answer, however sad that is.

Sadly, no, I don't. I have an appointment at home with my bottle of vodka.

The answer comes immediately.

Excellent, I have a proposition for you. And proposition I don't mean sex.

Okay...

My family is hosting a Valentine’s Day party and my brother hasn't had time to secure a date. My mom is insisting he bring one. I would love for you to go with him. This would completely erase any debt you think is between us. In fact, I might owe you one. That's how badly we need this.

I freeze. A blind date, that's what she's asking me for? I don't even have the chance to type anything when another message comes through.

I swear, my brother isn't a troll. He's a good looking guy and he's notthat much of a pervert.

There's a winking smiley face attached to that, and finally,

I'm kidding. But really, he's a great guy. What do you say?

A blind date? The blind dates that I have been on before haven't exactly instilled confidence in me that this guy is attractive. And I could say no. I could pass and just say I'd rather give her the money. There's no way she can force me to say yes. But this seems so easy. Go to a party and not have to worry about paying her back? Yeah, that sounds like a pretty good deal. Besides, if I said no, I'd feel guilty. It sounds like this is something that she really needs, even though it's a little weird that someone would need a date for a party that badly.

There's one other thing that I try to push out of my mind, because it definitely shouldn't be the reason I say yes. And that's that if I say yes, I'll have a date on Valentine’s Day. For the first time ever. It doesn't even matter to this part of my brain that this date would be with a stranger. I want that. I want to be a girl who has plans on Valentine’s Day. And so I find myself typing.

Okay, I can do that. Is there a dress code for this party?

If you can make it today at four-thirty, you can meet my brother at his office. That way you guys can meet face to face first, and he can give you all the details.

Today?

Yeah, today.

It's only one o'clock now, and I don't have anything stopping me from going except nerves.

Okay.

Perfect! I'll let him know. I'll text you the address. His name is Eric Marshall, and don't worry, you'll have a pass at the building and everything.

What kind of office is this exactly? She sends me the address, and a final message.

Good luck! I think you'll have a good time. Eric is a great guy, you'll see!

Thanks.

I toss my phone on the bed and sigh. What do you wear to go meet the blind date you've been set up on before the blind date? I have no freaking clue, but if I'm going to a high-power office, I better make sure I look good. Heaving myself off the bed, I head toward my closet and get ready for a marathon session of trying things on.

* * *

---