Page 44 of Billionaire’s Game

But if that were true why did the idea of him and Violet together fill me with jealousy?

“Well, I hope to get to meet him.”

Before I could control myself, I blurted out, “He asked me out.” Wow, it’s amazing what a little jealousy will make you do, I thought to myself immediately regretting telling Violet. But hey, she didn’t know the full story... yet. I just needed to keep my mouth shut.

“Seriously? And you never said a word about it until just now. Are you freaking kidding me? When did this all happen? You should have told me about it ages ago.”

“It was no big deal. I turned him down.”

Her mouth literally fell open. “Are you insane?”

“What?”

“Are you insane?”

“I heard you the first time. Why are you questioning my sanity? What did I do?”

Violet narrowed her eyes at me. “What do you mean what did you do? You turned down Magnus Deacon. Magnus Deacon,” she repeated for emphasis.

I sighed, deeply regretting my sudden outburst. “I think I need a makeover,” I said in an obvious attempt to change the subject.

Violet called me out immediately. “Hey, hey, hey, don’t change the subject.”

“I’m not... I mean... just look at me and now look at you.”

She looked at her clothes and shrugged. “What? I mean, yeah, you could put on a little makeup and maybe wear clothes that actually fit... but you look fine.” Then she paused and gave me a disappointed look. “Don’t tell me you said no to Magnus Deacon, this state’s most eligible bachelor, because you’re insecure about your looks.”

“What? No! I’m not insecure. I’m just, well... look at me.”

“There’s nothing wrong with you.”

I sighed. “I haven’t used lotion in about six months.”

“Yikes. Now that is a little much.”

“But seriously, Magnus Deacon isn’t my type.”

She looked at me dubiously. “You have a type?”

“Of course, I do.”

She crossed her arms. “Alright let’s hear it.”

I tried to come up with something but my mind went blank. “Umm... let’s just say, I do have a type and Magnus really doesn’t fall under that umbrella.”

“Got it. Rich. Sexy. Powerful. Not your type.”

“Right.”

“So I guess poor, unattractive, and powerless is more your speed?”

“Hey!”

I was offended, but I didn’t want to tell her that I felt Magnus was too far out of my league, not to mention out of my comfort zone, romantically. I was just an average girl from West Virginia. Magnus could pretty much chew me up and spit me out. Yeah, he was a nice guy, but that didn’t change the fact I was inexperienced and intimidated by his wealth. Not to mention, my experience with relationships was limited. I had just enough experience to lose my virginity, but that was about all. Before I’d slept with Magnus, I’d only slept with one other guy.

I’d had a boyfriend in graduate school, but I preferred to use that term loosely. He’d been a guy, but he hadn’t been much of a friend or lover. He’d been a bit of a dork. I hated how he chewed with his mouth full and his skills in the bedroom had been desperately lacking. I remember spending evenings online reading about sex to find a way to tell him how terrible he was and, in the end, we’d just broken up. He told me I was cold and inexperienced so it was my fault I hadn’t been satisfied. I knew he was wrong, but his words had still hurt.

“Can we talk about something else?” I didn’t want to dwell on my own insecurities.