Blind Date With the Billionaire Part 3: Back to You by Cordelia Baxter

Blind Date with the Billionaire 3: Back to You (Billionaire BBW Erotic Romance)
     
    Cordelia Baxter
    Copyright 2012 Cordelia Baxter
    All Rights Reserved
     
    *****
     
     
    "Monica...Earth to Monica..."
    Monica's head snapped up at the sound of her name.
    "Oh sorry, Claudette," Monica replied with a shake of her head. "I didn't hear you."
    "I'll bet you didn't," Claudette said. "You looked a million miles away. What's wrong, girl?"
    "Oh nothing," Monica lied.
    "You sure?" Claudette asked.
    "Yeah, just tired. I haven't gotten much sleep lately," Monica answered.
    "Mmm hmm," Claudette replied knowingly.
    "Uh...yeah...just been pretty hectic around here, with the layoffs and everything." Monica was becoming uncomfortable under Claudette's scrutiny.
    "You've been wearing that sad look on your face for 3 weeks. Now something happened to you. You don't have to tell me what it is, if you don't want to, but I think it would help to get it out. And I'm here for you if you need someone to listen," Claudette said.
    She eyed Monica with concern. They had worked at Edison Electric together for eight years. Though they were friendly, they weren't particularly close. Monica was surprised Claudette cared enough to offer her a friendly ear. She never really had any close girlfriends. The same insecurities that kept her from forming lasting meaningful relationships with men also kept her from forming friendships with women as well. Monica really did want to talk to someone about her problems. It would make it seem more real rather than just a fantasy she made up in her mind.
    She had broken up with her boyfriend, Gabe Stark , almost a month ago. They were only together for one week, but she had enjoyed that blissful time in the arms and bed of a dashing, handsome billionaire. Gabe had made her feel beautiful, desirable and loved. Even though it was such a short time, she seriously thought he was "the one". Monica had started to envision her future with him--marriage, kids, the whole nine yards, but it had all been snatched away in an instant. She caught him in the arms of his gorgeous ex-wife at a charity ball.
    The truth of the matter was Monica didn't even know if she and Gabe were officially broken up. Things had been le f t up in the air, unresol ved. After she stormed off on him, he hadn't bothered to contact her, and s he assumed it was over.
    All Gabe's friends seemed to think it was a foregone conclusion that he and his ex would reconcile. They said he was just using Monica as a hook-up. Not quite a booty call, but definitely not girlfriend material either. And why would he ? Monica thought bitterly. She had nothing to offer any guy, especially someone like Gabe. He could have his pick of women, and she was just plain old Monica. She felt like a fool. Her days stretched before her, endless and alone , without any glimmer of hope.
    "Thank you, Claudette," Monica finally replied . "I really appreciate it. The truth is, I just ...well...I met someone, and...i t's kind of complicated."
    Monica was interrupted by a phone call before she could continue her story.
    "I'm sorry," Monica mouthed, while on the phone. "I have to take this."
    "Listen, how about we go out to dinner after work. You can tell me all about it then," Claudette whispered.
    Monica nodded her head and gave a thumbs up in agreement, feeling a small glimmer of cheer.
     
    *****
     
    "So tell me what happened," Claudette began once they had found seats and placed their orders with the waiter. They had gone to Monica's favorite restaurant after work. It was only a few blocks from the office, so they made it before the dinner rush, and were able to get a quiet table by the back of the restaurant.
    "I don't even know where to start," Monica said. "It's pretty crazy."
    "Well, start at the beginning," Claudette said as she smiled sympathetically.
    Monica took a deep breath and dove in.
    "About a month or so ago, I met a guy online," Monica began. "We went on a date and really hit