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Some days, she just wanted to work as a museum coordinator and disappear into the world of art history. It was so much more peaceful there. Well, that is, if you ignored facts like Van Gogh chopping off his ear during a supposed fight with fellow master painter Paul Gauguin.
So she was in a predicament.
Her brothers, who were also Kennedy shareholders, didn’t have the same drive to take back the company. Bella also suspected they didn’t believe she was going to do it.
To be fair, she wasn’t exactly climbing any corporate ladders. In fact, she didn’t even own a black power suit. Nor did she know anything about running a large corporation.
Semantics.
She was doing this, and because the concept of dating didn’t appeal, Bella had left a message for Knox to call her back. She figured if he was in a good mood, she could ask him if he knew any eligible bachelors. Someone with a good business mind and interest in partnering with her to make a lot of money.
Someone who she could rely on and who had a vested interest.
Then they could part ways and find true love.
The marriage only had to last two years.
Knox was going to chew her ear off, but he knew what was at stake. It wouldn’t be the first marriage for business purposes to take place in this world.
Ward would be less amenable, so Bella wasn’t sure she would tell him.
Love at first sight, she’d call it.
She had lawyers and would protect herself so that what happened to her mom wouldn’t happen to her.
Once Knox agreed, she could kick off her plans.
Tonight she’d enjoy dinner, maybe flirt a little with Blake if he wasn’t as intimidating as he had been when she met him earlier, then get ready to take on Randall Scott.
I’ll make you proud, Mom. I’ll get great-granddad Kennedy’s business back.
“Just pretend this is a normal Friday night,” Bella said, as they removed their coats and handed them to the desk clerk.
“Follow me, please.” The girl smiled.
“I hope you like Blake. Thanks for agreeing to do this,” Rhonda said, squeezing her hand. “You never know, he could be the one.”
There was no way in hell the gorgeous but arrogant man was the one. In any case, Bella had her plan and the idea of getting into a real relationship with real emotions would be messy.
In any case, this wasn’t a real date, and it was time Rhonda acknowledged that.
“I’m sure we’ll have a good night. You just focus on Taylor,” Bella said, taking a mental note of the scrunched hundred-dollar bills in her YSL purse.
The light in the bustling restaurant was dim and the music a little loud. People’s voices were raised, trying to be heard as they leaned over their meals. Such was the vibe of the latest hot spot in town. It wasn’t Bella’s idea of a good night. She much preferred a piano bar and...who was she kidding? Bella preferred a documentary on Netflix and a tub of ice cream.
She saw the back of Blake’s head, his dark wavy locks catching her attention as a flock of butterflies exploded into flight inside her tummy.
The fact that there was no such thing as aflockof butterflies was entirely beside the point. Technically, they were called a kaleidoscope, which didn’t at all describe the feeling in her body. She felt off-kilter. Her legs, almost wobbly.
Then Blake turned and her breath hitched.
Here we go.
“Oh, God,” Rhonda whispered for the both of them as Taylor and Blake stood.
“Hey,” Taylor said, pulling Rhonda into a hug as if it was natural to do so.
“Hey back,” her friend replied and sat down in the seat he offered.
