The Billionaire Bum by Samantha Blair Page B

service.
    After that, you’re going to let me dress you, and then you are going to march right over to Hayes Industries and demand to see him. If he can come to your business, you can go to his. You’re going to walk right into his office and tell him to lay it all out on the table.” She was completely nuts. I couldn’t do that. Could I?
    I made my way back down to the kitchen with Lexy on my heels. The lunch prep was well underway thanks to Ty’s leadership, and I was glad to see that someone had chosen a lunch special based on the available ingredients. I was still unsure of what I had purchased this morning.
    Jackson had certainly done a good job of messing up my head. I couldn’t devote any more time or energy to this. Lexy was right. I was going to have to face this straight on. As soon as lunch was finished, I was going to find the infuriating man and demand an explanation. I had let him into my life, and now he was going to let me into his. If he didn’t want to see me again, then so be it.
    I fell into my usual easy rhythm of cooking and directing. The mood was a little more subdued than was typical for my kitchen, but thankfully none of my employees felt the need to ask about my melt down this morning. The time passed quickly, and before I had a chance to blink, the lunch crowd was on the way out.

    Lexy reappeared as I was making my way upstairs to change. She dressed me in a black pencil skirt, button down shirt, and a pair of three-inch heels. It was one of the nicest outfits that I owned. I didn’t usually have a need for more formal clothes, but I was glad that she insisted on this. These clothes made me feel stronger and more mature. I might not be in his league, but I wasn’t about to show up at his corporate office in my fish-gut shoes either.
    I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. Fuck, I sound like the little engine that could.
    As she was doing my hair, Lexy gave me directions. His office wasn’t that far from here, but I didn’t want to risk getting sweaty on the walk over. I would take a cab.
    I took a deep breath and tipped the cabbie. I couldn’t help but look up at the building as I stood on the sidewalk. The entire place screamed intimidation. The building was massive, and looking up at it made me feel about as big as an ant. So much for feeling powerful in this outfit.
    I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.
    My hands were shaking as I walked in the front doors. There was a receptionist at a huge wooden reception area. That seemed like an acceptable place to start.
    “How can I help you?” she asked coolly.
    “I’d like to see Mr. Hayes,” I said.
    “Which one?” Oh, right. Lexy said that his brother worked here, too. I wondered if it was a whole family affair.
    “Jackson Hayes,” I clarified. I was really hoping that it wasn’t a family name. I had no idea if he was a junior or the seventeenth.
    “He doesn’t see anyone without an appointment,” she said. “and he’s out of town until the end of the week.”
    “Out of town?” I asked rather abruptly. “Where did he go?” She gave me a glare that stated it was none of my business. “He’s been vacationing in Hawaii. If you’d care to leave a number, I’ll see that his assistant receives it.”
    “He can’t be in Hawaii,” I said. “He was just here this morning.”
    “I’m sorry, Miss,” she said, clearly dismissing me, “He’s been out all week.” She turned to the next person in line behind me and went on with her job.
    Hawaii? What the hell? Apparently I wasn’t the only one he was lying to.
    “Miss?” A smooth deep voice rang out in my ear.
    I jumped. Man, I was really on edge today.
    “Yes?” I squeaked.
    Before me was a man with military-short black hair. He was probably a few years older than me, but not much. He was dressed impeccably in a black suit. He was handsome, in a way, but his eyes had a wild look to them. I wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley.
    “I apologize