Free Juice: (An Alpha Male Billionaire Romance - Part 3) (Juice: The Series) by Victoria Starke Page A

says with a knowing grin. “I’d love for you to join me.”
    I laugh at the thought. “No, it’s Barry, and he’s been
giving me the cold shoulder ever since you corrected his behavior.”
    “Good,” he says. “Then it’s a date.”
    “Ok. I was going to grab an early drink with some of the
Dunbar folks, but I’ll let you make this up to me.”
    I surprise myself with the easy lie.
    Is this the same girl stumbling over herself in the lobby
just a month ago?
    “I hope it’s nowhere fancy. I’m dressed in work clothes,” I
say.
    “Bronwyn,” he says looking at me deeply, “you’re beautiful
just as you are.”

Chapter Two
    A tall blonde combs through the reservation book with a sour
expression and furrowed brow. “The earliest we have is 11pm,” she says, not
looking up at the couple pressed against the podium.
    “Why don’t I just eat at McDonald’s?” the man says in a
huff.
    “I’m sorry sir, we’re very busy tonight, and that’s the best
we can offer,” she says.
    “Fine,” he says, storming out and dragging his date with
him.
    The hostess looks flustered. We wait a beat and then
approach. Her face instantly softens.
    “Right this way,” the blonde nods and leads us to a round
booth deep in the restaurant.
    She pulls the reserved sign and says, “Enjoy your night, Mr.
Chase.”
    “Thank you, Daria,” he says while holding her glance.
    He catches my inquisitive look. “I’m here a lot,” he
explains. He reaches a hand inside his jacket and retrieves an envelope. “While
I was gone my assistant got you a little something.” I tear it open.
     
    MLB presents – Cardinals at Mets | Citi Field |  7:10pm
     
    “You mentioned you’re from St. Louis and like baseball.
They’re right behind home plate. You’ll probably be on TV.”
    “Thank you!” I exclaim, “That’s so nice!” I lean over the
table and kiss him on the lips in my excitement. He’s working his way back in
my good graces.
    “I hope you know I’ll be wearing my Cardinals hat with pride,”
I challenge.
    “Good luck, New York fans are tough. I hope you can handle
some boos.”
    I laugh. “I’ve been to a game in Philadelphia. No one can
top Philly fans.”
    “Correct.”
    Sparkling water with lemon and a cheese course arrive on
table.
    “No menus, tonight, Everett?”
    “No need. They know what I like.”
    Over the next two hours we eat, drink, laugh, and talk.
Everett mostly likes to talk travel and his life overseas, and though I haven’t
been to many places, I feel I’m holding up my end of the conversation. My
nerves settle enough to truly enjoy myself. I feel he is looser too. His smile
easier and eyes more relaxed. That focus is always there, but less intense.
    We’re most of the way through our second bottle of wine,
when he asks suddenly, “Are we still on for Milan? Don’t think I forgot.”
    I didn’t forget either. But I passed it off as something a
billionaire boasts after bedding a new girl and never brings up again.
    “Sure…” I say cautiously. “What’s the plan?”
    “No plan. We’ll leave Wednesday evening from Teterboro and
wake up in Italy. I share a plane with the people I sold my company. We have
use of it for the next six weeks.”
    “So it’s a private plane?”
    “Yes, Bronwyn.”
    “I don’t know how this works. Do I need a ticket?”
    He cocks his head and shakes his head. “You’re adorable. No
you don’t need a ticket. Just promise not to be late.”
    “I promise!” I squeal and do a little dance in my seat.
    We sip our wine in celebration, but the image of my boss
Barry ruins the moment. What is he going to say when I ask for two days off
with less than a week notice? Doesn’t Everett understand the rest of us have
schedules and can’t jet set to Italy on a whim?
    I close my eyes a moment to quiet my mind. I’m going to
enjoy this magical night. Barry won’t be forever, but maybe, just maybe, this
will.

Chapter Three
    “Bronwyn, you’ve been