Page 26 of The Billionaire Invitation

Basically, the letter read that once Honesty had an operating pilot, with backers and clients in place, and her nonprofit had a name, Beatrice would write her a check for fifty thousand dollars.

“It’s a promise of fifty K. That’s good.”

“It is. When we have funding, we’ll also get hers.” Honesty couldn’t blame Beatrice. She was a businesswoman, and she wasn’t willing to put her hard-earned revenue on the line for an unproven idea.

“It’s like needing a work record when you apply for your first real job. You haven’t had a job but you need one to get one.”

“Exactly.” Honesty sipped her coffee. Ambrosia. She was going to need at least four more of these. At brunch, she had been so keyed up, she’d worried that caffeine would only make her memory less accessible. So, she’d ordered orange juice.

Mistake.

Ironically, she was also hungry. In addition to not drinking caffeine, she also hadn’t eaten anything except for a few bites of toast. “I’m starving. I was too nervous to eat. And Beatrice was asking a bunch of questions that required me to look at my notes. And she brought a small Pomeranian with her and fed it bites of her eggs.”

“Cute!”

“It was cute. I don’t know why I shared that. Did I mention I was hungry and running on orange juice?”

“Say the word, and I will place a carry-out order for crab soufflés.”

“How about salad? I don’t want to spoil my dinner. Dante is taking me out.”

“Really.” Gabby leaned close. “Why?”

Because she’d been so sexually pleasured last night that the only word she had been capable of was yes. But instead she said, “He wants a recap of today.”

“Oh. Well, that’s nice. At least he’s hands-on.”

“You have no idea,” Honesty couldn’t help saying.

She had been sexed out and flying high when he had asked her to dinner. They’d ended up sipping on champagne in between mind-blowing orgasms. She probably would’ve agreed to anything. At least he’d only asked for two weeks instead of an arranged marriage.

“Clearly, I am not in the know.” Gabby dropped the envelope on the desk. “He must have said something helpful if Beatrice was receptive.”

Oh, Dante had said lots of helpful things. It was just that Honesty was too shy to repeat any of them to Gabby.

“The bar I chose was packed to the walls, so we ended up at Crane Hotel to discuss over a bottle of wine. He was staying there, so it made sense.”

“That sounds romantic.” Gabby gave her a look that could only be described as skeptical. A rarely seen expression on her. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? Since you two used to date? I know from experience that reuniting with an ex isn’t always the best idea.”

“Time will tell, I guess.”

“You’re holding out on me!” Gabby’s eyes widened. “Oh my God, please tell me everything. I am dying.”

“I don’t know why I went upstairs with him, Gabs.” Honesty leaned back in her chair. “I mean, I do. But I don’t know if it was a good idea.”

“Oh my God!”

Honesty shared the PG-13 version of what happened after they went to the penthouse, mildly amused to watch as shock, joy, and awe took turns on her friend’s face. “That’s it, I guess.”

Gabby let out a loud, appreciative laugh. “That’s it? That’s it?! Are you freaking kidding me right now? He took you to his penthouse in the Crane Hotel, he ordered room service and champagne. Then he sexed you up, down, and sideways on his ginormous bed.”

“And in the shower. And on the bathroom counter. We started on the L-shaped couch in the living room. The skyline is beautiful from up there.”

Gabby leaned back in her chair and literally kicked her legs in the air.

Honesty laughed and then realized she hadn’t been laughing enough lately. Her life had been so serious the Joker himself might question her about it. She wasn’t sure when she’d stopped having fun, but after last night, she knew she needed to start.

“There’s one more thing,” she told Gabby.