Page 14 of The Billionaire Invitation

CHAPTER SIX

8 years ago, Northwestern University

Honesty stared at him, the cup of coffee he’d brought her held loosely in one hand. She hadn’t taken a sip yet. She was still digesting everything he’d just told her.

When she regrouped, she said, “I’m so sorry about your grandfather. I had no idea he was ill.”

“He wasn’t.” Dante sat on the couch next to her, his elbows resting on his knees, his fingers folded between them. “He had a heart attack. Three days after a clean physical.”

“Were you two close?”

He nodded, his mouth a grim line.

She set the coffee aside and then rested her hand on his forearm. His tendons were strung tight. “I’m so sorry.”

“You said that already.”

He wasn’t crying. His tone was flat. Dante had made a habit of being open with her. He’d been the first to say “I love you.” And now he was sitting here telling her that his grandfather died with as much emotion as a stone wall.

A wave of premonition swept past her and sent a shiver up her spine.

“How’s your mom?” This grandfather was his mom’s dad. He used to be a big Hollywood producer, which explained how Simone had become a costume designer.

“She’s overwhelmed. We have to plan the funeral.” He met her eyes. “I’m dropping out.”

“Of school?”

“Where else?” His face was drawn, grave. “He left his foundation behind, and it’s been willed to my mom. To us. I’m going to help her plan the funeral. She has no time to do any of this. She’s on location in New Zealand, for Christ’s sake.” He rammed a hand into his too-long hair. He needed a haircut, but with back-to-back exams these past two weeks, he’d put it off.

“You don’t have to leave school to plan a funeral.”

“My mom can’t run the foundation. That’s on me.”

Honesty was shaking her head. “This is your life, Dante. I understand this is a lot to take in.” Hell, she was struggling with it. “But after the funeral is sorted, you might decide to bow out of the foundation. Give yourself time to process. You just found out your grandfather died. Don’t make any rash decisions.”

“I found out four days ago.”

Four days ago? He had known for four days and hadn’t told her? Even though he’d been busy, he could have found a stolen moment to share this with her. He should have.

“Honesty. I’m moving to LA.”

“No, you’re not.”

“I am.”

“Ask your professors for extensions. They will excuse your absence or allow you to make up your work. I’m sure they make exceptions for bereavement.”

“You’re not listening to me.”

“That’s because you’re not making any sense!” They’d been dating going on three years. They’d been as serious as they could be while maintaining high GPAs. She’d assumed they would make decisions about their future after they graduated.

“There are board members in place, including my mom now. She has no idea how to do any of it.”

“And you do?” This was insane. He couldn’t move to California after giving her thirty seconds of notice.

“There are people depending on me, Honesty. There are charitable organizations and programs depending on that money. I can’t run it from a dorm room in the Midwest.”

What about her? She was depending on him.