The Billionaire's Heart: Always Mine (A Billionaire Love Story Book 1)

by J. S. Brent

  All her mom did was laugh, an almost undetectable “I’m not funny; I’m hilarious” mixed into the laughing.

  As she sat down at her cluttered vanity, she found herself unusually nervous for a first day. She’d previously tackled first days that involved speaking in front of people, such as the first game of this past season.

  Gently shaking her head as she picked up a rubber band, she shook the thoughts away. It was just another first day. How bad could it be?

  Half an hour later, she was done in her room, and heading downstairs for breakfast. Her chestnut hair swung softly behind her in the simple ponytail she had put it in.

  “Morning honey.” Her father yawned. She smiled and hugged him. The first inklings of a breakfast smell wafted in from the kitchen.

  “Pancakes are almost ready.” Her mother’s voice came again. Though it was just her and her parents, she felt like it was enough.

  Sure, they weren’t the richest family around (really, any who could compete with the Roman family moneywise was in another country), but they were happy. They were healthy. Surely, they were more humble, Cassie believed.

  All of this added up to make the Jennings home cozy and tight knit. It gave her a sense of security and a sense of safety. The family was as big as it’d get and she was all right with that. If it got any bigger, in her opinion, they’d lose the closeness being an only child had fostered in her.

  “Thanks mom.” Cassie smiled and sat down at the table. Her dad hugged back lightly as she did so.

  “Have fun on your first day, honey.” He smiled at her, his soft face crinkling up to form the familiar and comforting smile that often graced her father’s face at this time in the morning.

  Her mother popped her head out just then. In her hand sat two plates of pancakes. Her father got up and brought the pancakes over after being kissed on the cheek by his wife.

  “You two are too cute.” Cassie mused. Her mother laughed and her father just shook his head.

  “I’m a grown man. I am not cute.” He protested, but she insisted and won out in the end.

  By the end of breakfast, her nerves had been distilled from her mind and she felt ready to face the first day of work. Thankfully it was spring break, so missing school was no issue. Yet.

  “Cheerio honey. See you when you get home.” Her mother gently wished her a goodbye as she began to walk into town.

  Cassie clocked into work for the first day. The work was fairly simple for minimum wage – help customers, teach a knitting class once a week, and earn some extra money from the auctions of knitted items each month.

  The thought of possibly making something the queen’s mother (who frequented the auctions at First Stitch Yarns) liked hyped up all the employees. Even Cassie, who was brand new to the scene, was a little giddy.

  “Alright! I have just received a letter from his majesty King Bradley Roman himself to read before we open today.” Cassie’s boss, Camila Finch, gathered everyone in the small room that Cassie had been told she could use for the classes.

  There was Camila herself, her sister (Lavender), the Waters boys (Ronan, Tyler, and Ulysses), Keith Olsen, and Brooklyn Glass. Then, of course, there was Cassie. The newbie, as everyone called her, but she didn’t mind that.

  “What’s it say?” This came from Ulysses.

  The rest of the coworkers chattered too. Camila whispered loudly for attention once more.

  “It says, and I quote, ‘My dear subjects, I regret to inform you that my mother in law, Lady Quinn Winters, passed away yesterday, September 20th, 2013, at five thirty nine in the evening. All yarn and craft shops are to be closed in her honor on Friday, September 29th, 2013. Any that run auctions, particularly those that Lady Quinn frequented, will be honoring her with items she bought. I will personally be dropping off these items, along with some of her knitted items that she made. Expect these items on the 29th. Good day to all. Humblest regards, King Bradley Roman.’ Unquote.” Camila read the last word and a moment of stunned silence came from the room.

  Then, all at once, a general gasp went up from the workers, Cassie as well. Lady Quinn Winters is dead?

  “Lady Quinn, dead?” Even Ulysses, who usually didn’t get surprised so easily, sound surprised. This must be new. To have Ulysses so surprised, I mean. “This has to be from her heart condition.”

  As far as Cassie could tell, Ulysses was the voice of reason in the group.

  “Details have not been released yet, Ulysses,” Camila began again, “but that’s not far-fetched. On the 29th, we will close as asked. Lavender and I will wait for the king’s delivery. Look lively, people! Doors open in ten.” Camila dismissed the group. Cassie stood awkwardly to the side as everyone else left. “What’s up Cassie?”

  “Where am I supposed to be at the moment?” Cassie felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning around, Ronan’s deep green eyes met hers.

  “Everyone but Camila, Ulysses, and Keith work the aisles and answer questions. Except for when Brooklyn and you are teaching the knitting classes each Monday, of course.” Ronan’s explanation helped Cassie understand her job much more, particularly because his tone exuded confidence, wisdom, and a hint of comfort.

  “Thanks, Ronan.” Cassie smiled when the doors opened then. Ronan nodded, and walked off.

  Cassie slowly wandered over to the knitting books and magazines this store, called First Stitch Yarns, carried and picked up a random one. Lace knits and ones inspired from a movie. An interesting mix.

  ***

  Adrian sighed. Despite his grandmother only having passed the day before, he felt a hole in his life from his grandmother’s passing the day before.

  What could he do?

  Thoughts reeled as Adrian picked up a sweater his grandmother had knitted for him for this past Christmas.

  Feeling the hand-knitted fabric brought a tear to Adrian’s eye. He had wanted to – that was it!

  Adrian knew that fulfilling his promise to learn to knit would keep his grandmother close.

  Looking to the clock, Adrian realized that every yarn shop would just be opening. There was one not too far from the large shopping center. First Stitch Yarns, if he remembered the name right.

  Adrian stood up. First Stitch Yarns was awaiting, and a promise was to be fulfilled today…or, at least, begun to be fulfilled.

  ***

  Cassie pulled the small cart behind her. Brand 1 went there, needles beside them, crochet hooks on the other side.

  Such was the organization of the aisle.

  Cassie hummed to herself to keep from losing focus. Each new skein in each color or pattern (pink camo or cotton candy for examples) caught Cassie’s imagination.

  Employees got one free skein of yarn a month and they had to choose the color and brand carefully. She kept this in mind as she restocked the aisles.

  “Excuse me, but are knitting classes available here?” The voice was feminine, as Cassie expected.

  She looked up and saw Delilah. She smiled with a laugh.

  “There are. The sign-up sheet can be found by the classroom. End of this aisle, take a left, and it’s at the end of the hall.” Cassie watched happily as Delilah flounced off. Her best friend learning to knit…that was sweeter than any money she’d make.

  Grasping the cart’s handle, Cassie moved further up the aisle. The novelty yarn always caught her eyes, and a skein of sapphire yarn did so then.

  It was thick, much thicker than the usual bulky yarn. Slowly the yarn unfolded. It was the same yarn that made the scarfs at the end of the aisle.

  The next moment, Cassie was on the floor, with a customer on top of her. Crikey. First day and I’m already tripping customers!

  “I’m sorry, miss. I wasn’t looking at where I was going. Are you alright?” This time the voice was masculine.

  “Yes, I’m alright. Are you?” Cassie took the outstretched hard. The man nodded as he helped her up. “Do you need some help? You look a bit lost.” Cassie smiled as he sheepishly nodded.

&nb
sp; “A friend of mine recently passed, and she knew how to knit. I had promised to learn to knit as soon as she could teach.” The man sheepishly admitted that he wished to learn to knit.

  She frowned, knowing that having a passing close to the family or even in the family was hard.

  “I’m sorry to hear that, sir. Well, do you plan to teach yourself or take a class?” As she attempted to take his mind off the unfortunate passing of his friend, he stalled. “Why don’t you try a class here? We supply the yarn and needles for class, and coupons are given out I believe. I’m new to the staff here, so I apologize in advance for any false information I may have given you.” The customer laughed at her stumbling apology at the end.

  “I take it you’ve been knitting for a while?” He pointed slightly to the bracelets. Cassie nodded, turning her black one around. “Fandom inspired. I like it.” Cassie watched as he smiled.

  “Thanks.” Cassie bent down to pick up a skein of yarn that had fallen off her cart. “The sign-ups for the classes are at the door to the room – end of the aisle, take a left, can’t miss it.”

  “Thank you, Miss…uh…”

  “Cassie. Cassie Jennings.” She introduced herself and held her hand out. He took and then shook it.

  “Nice to meet you, Cassie. My name is Adrian. Adrian Ro – Gold. Adrian Gold.” Adrian lightly kissed her hand after shaking it.

  “You don’t see many guys act like Prince Roman. It’s always nice to see such kindness.” Cassie smiled as Adrian nodded a farewell and left the aisle.

  Continuing to restock the shelves, her mind turned back to the customer, Adrian.

  He had the same facial structure as the prince, but… no. He can’t be. Prince Adrian has brown hair and green eyes.

  ***

  Adrian watched from the end of the aisle as Cassie continued to restock the shelves. She moved with a grace that reminded him of his grandmother. He’d always thought that he’d like to marry someone like that – kind, loving, crafty.

  “New employee’s quite a looker, huh, Ulysses?”

  “Oh, stop it, Ronan. If not for Tyler, she wouldn’t have this job. I heard she just broke up with someone.”

  Adrian blew the bit of conversation out of his concern. Cassie was just a new friend.

  One who…who reminded him of his grandmother. I can’t believe I’ve never met her before.

  The room was hard to miss – just like Cassie said.

  Upon a closer look, there were two classes being offered. One was to make knitted lace (taught by a Miss Brooklyn Glass), and the other was for newbies such as himself (taught by Miss Cassie Jennings).

  Gently picking up the pen, Adrian signed up for Cassie’s beginners’ class. Hopefully she’d be as good a teacher as his grandmother.

  His mind continued to turn to his grandmother as he headed home after finding a book of patterns that he liked and paying for it.

  His grandmother had been such a role model to him. Her charitable nature made her a favorite by orphans and homeless alike. A beautiful, soft voice made no one afraid to approach the palace in a rain storm. Her craftiness made her a favorite of craft shows and of various fairs.

  Adrian held in a tear or two as he sat down in his truck again.

  Chapter 3: Knitting Lessons (& First Dates)

  Saturday and Sunday seem to crawl to Adrian. His parents had encouraged the idea to learn his grandmother’s craft – knitting. First Stitch Yarns had been his grandmother’s favorite yarn shop according to his parents.

  And Brooklyn Glass was a good friend of hers. His grandmother, he meant.

  Monday finally arrived, and Adrian groggily brushed his teeth, standing in the lavish water closet of his chambers.

  Standard thoughts ran through his head, until he realized that it’s Monday.

  Adrian stopped a nearby servant, and said around his toothpaste, “What time is it?”

  “It’s eight in the morning, sire. Your knitting class isn’t for another hour.” The servant’s answer made Adrian feel better.

  He hadn’t overslept! In fact, he had about an hour. That meant he could shower this morning since he hadn’t the night before.

  Grabbing some spare clothes from his room, he managed to finish brushing his teeth and then spit into the sink.

  Turning on the water and shutting the door behind him, he began to get ready to shower. Grabbing a flannel, he turned on the sink to wash his face while the shower water got hot.

  When he had finished his shower, he put on the jeans and tee-shirt with all the usual under fluff. He knew that the jeans were a little too loose for his waist, but a belt fixed the problem quickly and he was good to go. With a quick bite of breakfast, tea and scones, he was off.

  Cassie’s class awaited him in First Stitch Yarns. What a feeling it was to find himself so close, and already feeling a strong attraction to her upon one encounter. As my dad might say, I’m taking a fancy to her for sure…

  Adrian rushed to the yarn shop. His breakfast had run a little overtime and he’d had to change pants because he spilt tea on the other pairs of pants.

  “Crap.” Adrian rushed to the classroom. He stopped another employee. “Has the beginners’ class started yet?”

  “No. Miss Jennings is running late. She’ll be here soon though.”

  “Thank you.” Adrian sat down in a chair in the class room. Only a young woman, who looked to be about a year younger than he was sat in the room, flipping through her texts.

  “Tristan, I told you, you blew your last chance when you celebrated her birthday almost a month late. Then there was the Spain incident when you didn’t call her until her last day there. Don’t forget when you missed her cheer competition.” The voice sounded familiar to Adrian.

  But why couldn’t he place the voice?

  “Dude, belt up. I just wish I could show her how sorry I am. What do I do?” The door opened.

  “Adrian? Is that you? I thought you ha-” Adrian cut his right hand man off there when he realized who it was.

  Luke got the message and nodded.

  “So who’s the one that dumped you, Tristan?” Adrian’s comment caught the woman’s attention.

  His voice sounded almost too much like his own.

  But…what could he do? A voice was a voice, no matter how much he did or did not look like himself.

  She looked up, first at Adrian. Then she looked to Tristan and Luke.

  “I didn’t think you’d take Cassie dumping you so well.” The woman smirked slightly at him. Tristan’s fringe fell into his face as he seemed to search for an appropriate way to respond to her inquiry.

  “I saw it coming, Delilah. Our relationship was floundering for months.”

  Luke sat beside Adrian. A raised eyebrow met his eyes. Adrian pulled his phone out and typed the response. He was just Adrian for the moment, and not in any way related to Prince Roman. Adrian Gold was to be his name – with no affiliations with Adrian Roman whatsoever.

  “Alright. Four eager to learn peo- Tristan, I didn’t expect to see you here. Anyway, we have Delilah Hunter, Adrian Gold, Tristan Jemmingway, and Luke Jemmingway. Brothers?” Adrian looked at Cassie, whom had just finished speaking.

  “Yea. Two year difference.” Luke spoke up to keep Tristan from questioning Adrian about the last name mix-up. “Can we learn now?”

  “Yes, of course. I had to pick up four kits and ran a bit later than I thought I’d be. Anyway, there are three kinds of needles: regular, circular, and double pointed.” Cassie held up three sets of needles. “For now, we will focus on these: single point, straight knitting needles. These are the most common needles for a beginner.” She handed everyone a pair, Adrian last. “One for the right hand and one for the left. But at the moment, since we’re about to cast on, put one needle aside. It doesn’t matter which.” Cassie set one of her own needles down.

  Adrian watched her hands move. When he was little, he’d watch his grandmother knit. Her voice was in his head.

  “Slip k
not. Stick the needle through. It makes a figure eight, Adrian. See it?” His grandmother held up the new stitch on the needle for him to see.

  “But grandmother, why do you knit?” He voiced a simple question. Well, as simple as an eight year old could voice it.

  His grandmother just laughed a little, and sat down beside him.

  “It makes a figure eight because that’s an easy shape to remember when you’re knitting. Do you want to see it again?” As his grandmother spoke, he looked fascinated at the knitting that she held in her arms.

  The yarn for that project had been a peacock blue, and she had told him that if he would sit and be quiet and attentive, he could use the yarn to learn.

  “And make a simple figure eight.” Adrian blinked. That was the same thing his grandmother said. Man. Cassie Jennings, you are a younger Quinn Winters, minus the whole being engaged to a duke bit. “For this project, you’ll need a ball of any color yarn. We’ll be making a bracelet.” Cassie pulled one of her many knitted bracelets off of her arm. It was the black one Adrian had pointed out earlier. “Guys, this is a great present for that special lady.”

  A few minutes later, Cassie stopped talking and let them try it out for themselves. Adrian looked her over once, and then picked his blue yarn from the kit. She would most likely like it.

  “Don’t feel like knitting has to be a quiet activity. I often put music on while I knit.” Cassie smiled and started a conversation with Delilah.

  Adrian turned to Luke and Tristan, who were probably reading the zoned out look on his face as something different than what it really had been.

  “Dude, you’re crushing! Ask her out, Adrian. Let her get to know you, and then surprise her with your identity. Adrian R can disappear. Be Adrian Gold. You’re already off to a good start with this disguise.” Tristan’s remark surprised Adrian. Hadn’t the Delilah girl made a comment on something about being dumped earlier?

  “Weren’t you just dumped by her, Tristan?” Adrian’s question was answered by Luke with a simple nod. “Aren’t you going to try to fix it?”