The trek to his office didn't take much time at all and even though I wasn't able to leave it with him personally, the woman at the front desk on the ground floor assured me she'd get it to his secretary. I made sure to let her know it was a valuable item and Mr. Conrad was expecting it, so she knew the gravity of the situation. She gave me an insincere smile and assured me he'd get it. I think she just wanted to get rid of me and thought I was some crazy stalker, but there was nothing more I could do.
I left the building and walked down two blocks to the restaurant. Mel was already waiting for me at a table when I showed up. She smiled brightly at me and stood up as I walked over.
"You're looking good," I said looking her over.
"Thanks, Lily. You too!" she beamed.
"Seriously though, something's different about you," I said studying her closer. "Did you get your teeth whitened or something?"
"No, I'm just happy," she said.
I raised my brows at her in enquiry. "Let me guess. Does this happen to have anything to do with a certain Chad you met last weekend?"
A huge grin split Mel's face before she answered. "Might have."
"All right, let's hear it," I said.
"Oh Lily, he's so amazing. We've been pretty much inseparable since Saturday. He actually calls when he says he will and he's honest and kind, and not to mention handsome," she gushed. "Even Mother likes him."
"Wow, he sounds like a paragon," I said. "I can't believe your mom gave him the seal of approval."
"I know, right?! She's hated every one I've ever dated."
"When did she have time to meet him? You and Chad only met a few days ago," I said.
"Oh, she's met him before. He's kind of a big deal," she said, immodestly.
"I'm surprised she hasn't scared him off, no offense."
"I was thinking the same thing," she laughed. "It just proves he's special."
"So, this sounds pretty promising."
"He's asked me to go with him to China."
"What?!" I was so shocked, I nearly choked on the sip of water I'd just taken.
"Shh, calm down Lil. It's just for three weeks. He's going away on business and it's a long time to be apart especially since we only just got together."
"Exactly. You only just got together. I thought you were going to take it slow," I reminded her.
"I was...I mean I am...I mean...oh you just don't understand Lil. When you fall head over heels for a guy, you'll know what I'm talking about. Even though we just met, it feels right. Sometimes you just got to live a little and take a risk," she said.
I was a little stung by her comment and bit my lip to keep from firing back and saying something I'd regret. There was a very good reason why I'd never been in love or even gotten crazy over a guy. My experiences with them just proved to me time and again that they couldn't be trusted. From cheating to lying and even to humiliation, I'd had my fair share of shitty boyfriends. Even in high school, boys that I didn't even know that well would go out of their way to make my life a living hell. I shook my head to cast off the bad memories.
"What I do know and understand is that I've seen this before. You're always falling for guys you just met, and you end up getting hurt in the long run. I just don't want that to happen to you again."
Mel reached out and put her hand over mine. "I know you're just looking out for me, but it feels different this time. And besides, if I do get hurt and Chad turns out to be a jerk, at least you can say 'I told you so'."
"I take that to mean you've already made up your mind then?" I said.
"Pretty much."
I released a heavy sigh and dropped my shoulders. "I just hope you know what you're doing."
"For once in my life, I do," she said.
"So when do you leave?" I asked.
"This Thursday."
My eyes widened in shock and I stared at her, sure that I had heard wrong. "Did you just say this Thursday?"
Mel had the grace to blush, but her chin stuck out in determination. "Yeah, I know it's soon, but I'm already packed and everything."
I knew that look and it signaled that there was no more use in arguing. Once Mel had made up her mind, it was like trying to move a mountain to change it. In other words, it was near impossible.
"You know I'm always here for you no matter what?" I finally said.
"I know and that's why you're my best friend," she grinned. "But enough about me. What's been going on with you?"
I took a sip of water, buying myself a little time before I told Mel about all that had happened with Roman. I knew I had to tell her. We never kept secrets from each other, and she would find out eventually. Besides, I needed her advice. Miguel and Doris had run away with the idea that Roman was somehow interested in me and I just couldn't wrap my head around it.
She stared at me, a furrow forming on her brow.
"Are you going to say something, Lil? You're starting to worry me," she said, half jokingly.
"This is going to sound weird, but you remember that guy we met on Saturday? Roman Conrad?"
Mel leaned forward in her seat, her eyes wide with interest. "Um, yeah I remember Roman Conrad. Who wouldn't? He'd kind of hard to forget."
"Well...now don't freak out," I said. I chewed on my bottom lip wondering how I was going to say this. It was harder than I thought trying to explain all that had happened.
"Oh my God, now you're really starting to scare me. What the hell happened?" she asked.
"After the gala on Saturday, he came to my book shop on Monday--."
"What! Are you serious?" she asked.
"Let me finish," I said, holding up my hand. "So he came to the shop on Monday and asked me to go out to dinner with him."
"Did you say yes?" she asked eagerly.
"Yes, I went."
"How did it go?"
I took a deep breath, smothering the annoyance I felt at constantly being interrupted. "Are you going to let me finish the story or not?" I asked.
"Oh, sorry."
"So, where was I? Oh right, dinner. I went to dinner with him and it actually wasn't that bad. After the dinner he dropped me off at my apartment, and no, I did not invite him in," I said, reading Mel's mind and forestalling her question. "But he asked me to go out with him again to the opera next Monday."
I could tell Mel was bursting with excitement and it was killing her to remain silent.
"Can I talk now?" she asked.
"Not yet. There's something else. This morning, I got a delivery at the shop," I paused, not quite sure how to say this part.
"Well, what was it?" she asked, sitting on the edge of her seat.
"It was a first edition copy of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice."
Mel's mouth hung open, trying to form words, but she looked like a fish out of water. "Who sent it to you?" she finally managed to asked.
"Who do you think?"
"No!" she said dragging out the word. She looked like she almost didn't believe me and I couldn't blame her.
"It's true. I couldn't believe it either. I mean those books are worth a small fortune. What's he mean by sending it to me?" I asked.
"Maybe he wants to impress you," she suggested.
"Why would he want to do that?"
"Because he likes you?"
I shook my head, "Don't tell me you believe that either," I said.
"What do you mean?"
"Doris and Miguel are convinced he's got the hots for me, which sounds so ridiculous, it's not even funny," I said.
Mel held up her glass of water, looking at it as if deep in thought. She remained silent so long, I was beginning to get antsy. "Well?" I finally said. "You must have some other kind of insight. After all, isn't Chad a friend of his? Has he said anything?"
"No, Chad hasn't said anything," she said, placing the glass on the table. She looked up at me, a serious look in her eye. "He could really like you, you know? Don't be so quick to write people off. Sometimes there's no secret plot or ulterior motive
. You've got to start trusting people...some time."
I knew what she left out was that I've got to start trusting people or I'll end up alone. I didn't want Mel to see how unsettled I was by her words, so I tried to play it off like a joke.
"This coming from someone about to head off to China with a guy she just met a few days ago. Not everyone can be so trusting or naive," I laughed. The sound felt hollow in my throat.
"At least I'm taking a chance. I'd rather get my heart broken than live with regrets," she said stiffly.
"Let's not fight about this, okay?" I said, regretting my rash words. "You're leaving in a few days and I'd rather not leave on bad terms."
"You're right, Lily. I'm sorry for what I said. I know you've been hurt before, and you have every right to your feelings."
This was not where I wanted the conversation to go. I held up my hand to stop her from saying any more. "Don't even worry about it," I said. "Let's just forget I ever brought it up."
"But what are you going to do about the books?" she asked.
"I already returned them to his office."
She looked at me with wide eyes. "Why?"
"Because they were giving me hives just looking at them. I've never held something so valuable before and I didn't feel comfortable having it in the shop."
"Well, I'm sure he'll have something to say about it when you see him on Monday. You are going to the opera, aren't' you?" she asked.
"Yes, I said I'd go."
Mel smiled widely at me, her enthusiasm returning once again. "Good! It'll be good for you to get out, Lily. You're too young and beautiful and full of life to be holed up in your book store or at your apartment every night. You've got to live a little."
"Here we go again," I said rolling my eyes.
It was always a point of contention with Mel and I how I chose to spend my free time. I didn't think there was anything wrong with a 26-year-old sitting at home after work eating a home cooked meal before settling in with a good book or movie. Mel, on the other hand, thought people our age should be out partying, getting drunk and hooking up with guys. I sometimes wondered how we ever became friends in the first place. If that was what a typical 20-something did on the weekends, then you could gladly count me out.
"Listen, all I'm saying is to just enjoy yourself. Don't try to see some nefarious plot in everything he does. He might really like you for you and I for one don't find that hard to believe at all. And that's all I'll say about that," Mel said, zipping her mouth shut with her thumb and forefinger.
I let the subject drop, not in the mood to discuss it any further. Once lunch was over, I stood up and pulled Mel in for a hug. I was surprised when I felt the sting of tears in my eyes. It was such a silly thing to cry about. It wasn't as if she were moving to China for Christ's sake.
"I'm going to miss you so much," she said, her eyes shining with unshed tears as she looked up at me.
"Me too! You stay safe, don't drink the tap water and bring toilet paper with you everywhere," I said.
She laughed as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "Now, how would you know about that?"
"Oh, I've heard stories," I said, mysteriously.
Once Mel and I said our goodbyes, I headed back to the shop. There was a lot on my mind and my conversation with her just made me more confused. I knew I had a habit of being standoffish and unapproachable with guys. I'd been acting this way so long, it was almost second nature to me. It was like I couldn't believe any guy would ever be interested in me so there must be some other reason they were talking to me or showing me any attention.
I knew I was doing the same thing with Roman. He was someone who could literally have any woman he desired. So why would he show any interest in me? That was the one question that kept popping up whenever I thought about him. Maybe everyone else was right and he really did like me, and I'd been writing him off as some eccentric billionaire who was bored and amusing himself with me for the moment. I wondered if I should just throw caution to the wind and take a chance and open myself up. The thought sent a tingle of fear and dread through me. Somehow I knew if I let Roman Conrad in, he could end up crushing me.
Chapter Six: Roman
The package arrived on my desk as I was on the phone with a business associate in Frankfurt. I shot a questioning glare at Lara, my personal assistant, as she placed it in front of me.
"Why is this here?" I mouthed silently.
She shrugged her shoulders and shook her head slowly. "Beats me," she mouthed back.
She was about to back out of the office until I stopped her with a gesture.
"Listen, Lars, I'm going to have to call you back later. Something just came up. Yes, yes, I agree. I'll have my secretary fax over the revised contracts this afternoon. All right, tschüss," I said.
Once I hung up the phone, I pulled the plain brown package closer towards me on the desk. I knew what they were even before opening them. I had them sent out just this morning to be delivered to Lily. Why they were back in my office was a little more perplexing.
"Who delivered these?" I asked.
"It was left with the receptionist in the main lobby," Lara answered.
"Was there a note or anything on it?" I asked.
"No, that was all that was left. Marcia, the receptionist down there said a young woman left it and said it was very important that you get this item and that you were expecting it."
I lifted a sardonic eyebrow at that. I certainly was not expecting to see this again. I had gotten the books on a whim after our conversation at dinner last night. When Lily asked me if I was a fan of Jane Austen, I told her that I had a copy of the first edition of her most famous work without hesitation. The fact that I didn't own a copy of the book, in any edition, didn't bother me. I knew I'd be able to get one at short notice. It turned out I was right. Lara had worked her magic and somehow procured the three volumes this morning and I'd had it sent off immediately.
It was therefore a bit disappointing that they were back here in my hands. I had been certain that she would like this gift. Granted, it wasn't something I normally got for women I was pursuing. Then again, Lily wasn't like the other women I knew. She was different and had a little more depth to her. I knew I couldn't impress her with fancy jewelry or expensive knick knacks. I'd have to work hard to earn her esteem and admiration.
The more I learned about her, the more I found myself wanting to find out everything. I told myself it was just because of the bet, but that excuse was beginning to feel hollow. The truth was, I was pleasantly surprised at dinner last night and had enjoyed her company. She wasn't malicious or gossipy like some of the other women I'd been with. She was well spoken, intelligent and had a wicked sense of humor. I knew the best thing to do at this point was to step back and call everything off, but I couldn't help myself.
After dropping her off last night, she continued to invade my mind. Lying in bed, I replayed the evening over again, and I began to wonder what she looked like beneath her clothes. Her breasts, I knew were full and perky. Her lips were plump and sensual. The way she spoke and the deep earthy tone of her laugh was formed to drive a man crazy. I wondered what she'd be like in bed. Would she be loud and passionate? Somehow I had a feeling she was and I got hot under the collar just thinking about it again.
I stared at the brown package on my desk like I was trying to burn a hole through it. What could possibly have caused her to send this back to me? Did she not like it? Was she offended that I hadn't sent jewelry? I finally looked back up at Lara who was still standing in my office studying me curiously.
Lara had been working for me for over ten years. We'd built a comfortable working relationship and she was not afraid to tell me the truth, which I appreciated more and more. Even though she had a bit of a sharp tongue to her, she was smart, efficient and good at her job. And right now, I needed her insight into the female mind.
"I think I'm losing my touch, Lara," I finally said.
"Nah, she probably jus
t isn't used to such extravagant gifts," she answered, promptly.
"Extravagant?" I asked, surprise coloring my voice. "This was nothing. I spend more on my dog than I did on this gift."
"Well, most people aren't you and not everyone that can spend tens of thousands of dollars on their pet," she answered candidly.
I nodded my head in acceptance. Lara made a good point. Perhaps I had scared her away with this gift. It might seem paltry to me, but to Lily, it might be over the top.
"Cancel all my meetings for this afternoon," I said coming to a decision. "I'm going to be out of the office for the rest of the day."
She looked at me with surprise, but didn't say anything. "Of course," she finally said.
I didn't know if I was just seeing things, but I thought I saw a small smile tugging on her lips. I put that thought out of my head as I grabbed the books and slipped my cell phone into my pants pocket.
"Don't call me unless it's an absolute emergency," I said, before stepping out the door.
***
There was only one place I was headed and that was to the book store. I knew Lily would be there. She was there practically every day. It took me less than fifteen minutes to make it down to her shop and as I walked into the cozy little store, I was greeted by an enticing sight. Lily was behind the counter wearing another black sweater covering everything up to her neck. Her hair hung loose around her shoulders and she was looking down, reading something on the counter.
As soon as she heard the door open, she looked up and flashed me such a warm and friendly smile, it nearly knocked my breath away. I didn't know what it was about her, but everything she did surprised me. No woman had ever looked at me the way she did. Sure they would smile and smirk and grin, but behind it all was always some calculation. They were always looking for something, whether it was jewelry, money, status, or a business arrangement.
Lily's smile was completely open and unaffected. It took me a moment to get my wits back about me. I'd never expected to be bowled over by someone like her, but here I was, almost shaking with some undefined emotion. God, what the hell was wrong with me?
The Wager: A Billionaire Romance Page 6