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Ian smiled, and woah, he was so handsome.
I looked away and shook my head.
“Something wrong, Adelina?” he asked.
“Why is everyone so good-looking? It’s weird.”
“It’s a club,” he mused. “You’re also a member, and I didn’t mean that as a flirtation. You’re beautiful, but let’s leave it at that. Now, let’s get down to business.”
I puzzled. “What business?”
He grinned. “Your illustration business.”
I lowered my brows. “Business? Hardly. I illustrated one book.”
The barista came and placed our orders on the table. Ian ordered banana nut muffins, and one of them was on a plate before me.He noticed I wanted one.
I shook my head, smiling, then sipped my chocolate espresso and groaned. “Delicious.”
He put down his cup after a sip. “Yeah. Nothing better than a good cup.”
I took a deep breath. “So what’s up?”
“I’d like to know what made you illustrate a book in college.”
“Really?” My voice rose.
“Yes. I’m fascinated by it.”
I squinted. “You read it?”
He nodded.
My mouth went dry.Does Ian have children?It was a bit too personal to ask someone I just met, but I was curious. Besides that, it had nothing to do with Luca’s will, but I assumed we had time to fill and he wanted to put me at ease.
“My favorite part of TheBumble Bee Ballwas the picture of the little bumble bees dressed in their finest flying to the grand Honeycomb ball in Honeyville Springs.”
I let out a chuckle. “So, you have a copy.”
He grinned. “I do. Rocco sent copies of the book to everyone.”
My jaw dropped. “Really? He never mentioned it.”What does everyone mean in Rocco’s world?I had no idea.
“Yes, he did,” he said and opened his briefcase. “One of the ‘everyone’s owns a company. Have you heard of Lily Crane’s Perchance to Dream Publishing?”
I gasped. “What? Seriously? Yes, yes I have heard of Lily Crane.” In fact, everyone knew Lily Crane. She married Paul Crane’s father, Jonas, a famous business mogul. But Lily had fame in her own right. Her world-renowned music charity provided art lessons and sponsorships for children in need. Butshe meant more to me than that. I felt connected to her in spirit as a survivor of domestic violence.
“Have you seen what’s happened toThe Bumble Bee Ball?” Ian asked, bringing my attention back.
I shook my head.
“Your illustrations are a sensation,” he said, smiling. “Check online.”
I peered at him, a bit skeptical, as I took out my phone and checked. There were loads of new messages from people in my old college email. I zeroed in on at least ten from the author ofThe Bumble Bee Ball book.
Lauren Willoughby Re:The Bumble Bee Ballis now a bestseller!
I shook my head back and forth and touched my smile. “This is so great for Lauren. I loved her book.”