Page 17 of The Billionaire's Heart

After taking care of Maria, thoughts about tonight flood my head. Mr. Sutherland is expecting me to show up with a date. Showing up alone might give him the impression I’m happy about that stupid list. Fuck! What the hell am I going to do?

I call Mrs. Wilcox; she’s my fixer.

“Good morning, Mr. Gallo. What can I do for you?” She answers on the first ring like she always does; even on a Saturday morning.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your Saturday, but Maria was in an accident, and now I don’t have a date. Can you see what you can do?” I have no shame, as Mrs. Wilcox is also the ultimate professional.

“I’ll call you back.” She hangs up, and I go back to work, knowing that Mrs. Wilcox has it all under control.

Two hours later, my phone rings and I see Mrs. Wilcox’s name on my screen.

“Is everything all set for tonight?” I ask as I answer the phone.

“I have a date all set for you and she’ll meet you in the lobby of your hotel at seven tonight.” She says with no preamble.

“Really? You’re amazing, Mrs. Wilcox.” I praise. “How’d you do that so fast?”

“Mr. Gallo, it’s my job and I’m damn good at it.” Her smile comes through her voice.

“That you are, Mrs. Wilcox. Thank you for saving my ass once again.”

“You’re welcome. Let me know if you need anything else, Mr. Gallo.”

“Will do.” I hang up and take a sip of my whiskey.

That woman deserves a raise.

Chapter 9

Mia

Ialmost,almost, made a home run during our kickball game this morning against the Palm Beach Pirates. It was down to mere inches, but the catcher tagged me, and the umpire called me out. That’s okay, though. I almost got a run and my entire team cheered for me. It was epic.

Tonight, two of my teammates, Riley and Grace, want to take me out to Hooplas for a mini celebration. I couldn’t refuse because that was one of my goals in moving to Hibiscus Harbor; to make friends and build connections.

Just as I’m walking into my apartment and looking forward to getting a shower and all this red clay off of me, I hear my phone ring in my purse.

“Hello?” I answer out of breath after climbing the three flights of stairs to my apartment.

“Hello Mia. It’s Mrs. Wilcox.”

For a second, I panic, thinking I’ve missed work or am about to be fired, but remember that it’s Saturday and I’ve been kicking ass at work this week. “Hi Mrs. Wilcox. Is everything okay?”

“Mr. Gallo is in a pickle and can really use your help. Of course, we will pay you generously for your time at quadrupleyour daily rate. Would you happen to be available this evening and all day tomorrow?”

Quadruple my daily rate? That’s a lot of money that can go towards my business plan. But, then again, I’ve already made plans with my new friends to go to Hooplas tonight.

“What does Mr. Gallo need, Mrs. Wilcox?” Suddenly, I’m getting visions of the moviePretty Womanand I’m thinking that this isn’t for me. I’m not a hooker. He can call one-eight-hundred hookers, if that’s what she’s proposing.

“Mr. Gallo has a charity gala this evening, but his date was in an accident and cannot attend. He’s really in a bind and asked if you’d be able to go in her place. He needs someone with knowledge of his businesses and, with all the help you’ve given me this week, I know you can do this, Mia.”

Wow, the guilt trip she’s putting me on is quite the ride.

“He asked for me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” What a stupid question, Mia.