The Billionaire's Bride (Complete Collection) by Aaliyah Andrews Page B

while, I would be in trouble.
    To top it off, on my break, a kid dropped ice cream on my shoe. Not on purpose. It toppled off his cone and splattered my sneaks bright blue. Work roughed them up, otherwise I’d be more disappointed. What next? The zoo called. It would help me unwind like it always did.
    Yeah, no...that didn’t happen. At Kojo’s pen, I discovered my name plastered on a marble plaque “Tia Daniels.” Sure enough, that was my name. I searched for hidden cameras, but nobody looked suspicious. It all made sense once I looked down at the wooden frame littered with photographs that described Kojo’s new home, everything graciously donated by Tia Daniels.
    Lucas.
    I growled his name under my breath. I looked behind me again to check for stalkers. Only a tourist in a fanny pack popped his head out from his collar in my direction. If that was someone spying on me, they won.
    I had nothing to do with this. Nothing at all.
    The planned renovations sounded impressive. Kojo sauntered to my side like reading with me through the glass. The renovations included a lot more space. They would hire another worker specifically to help Kojo learn. A detailed drawing showed a lush jungle with a mountain scape behind it. Multiple levels would overlook the glass enclosure.
    I teared up. My heartbeat picked up until it pounded in my chest. It was the sweetest gesture anyone had ever done for me.
    He didn’t have to put my name on it, but I understood why Lucas did it. To lead me back to him.
    Once again, the treat he left enticed me and I fell back into his trap.
    I placed my hand on the glass. Kojo placed an oversized hand on it as well.
    “I’m going to text him back. It might be the wrong choice, but I need to take the chance. What do you think, should I do it?”
    Kojo snorted in response. She backed off. I pulled out my cell phone, but Kojo waved at me. She clapped her hand against her head and then thumped it down on her open palm. Husband. What? She pointed behind me and then asked again. Kojo wondered where my husband went…
    That’s when I realized Kojo thought Lucas was my husband.
    “Don’t get ahead of yourself, girl. I’m only sending a text.”
----
    M y limo pulled up to Lucas’s estate.
    Dressed for a different date that never worked out, I wore a fancy navy dress that accentuated my curvy shape. Ironically, I stood Brandon up. I apologized to him over text and told him that I needed to stay inside tonight. As soon as I got home and settled, I would need to distance myself from him. Lucas was back...which meant Lucas and I would need to figure out a way to move forward.
    I looked at the towering arches, the Italian architecture curling around to the beach-side sunset, and it didn’t look like anything I would ever be a part of, let alone share. Prepared to meet my billionaire, I let fantasies of being a billionaire’s bride dance at the fringes of my thoughts. I would get flashes of myself in a wedding dress with Lucas standing beside me, his confident smirk that said we would be together forever beaming down on me.
    The driver opened my door, and I took a step out. It was a balmy night, the stuffy, hot air finally moving on. I gripped the sides of my navy blue dress nervously. My favorite dress fit my shape wonderfully. Glamorous yet sexy, it had a cut out back that I adored.
    “Please, if you would let me introduce you,” the driver started.
    “I’m fine. Thank you so much.”
    He bowed slightly to me. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to introduce you to Mr. Moore?”
    Was everyone around here helpless? “That won’t be necessary. Thank you,” I said as I strutted in my high heels to his grandiose abode. I almost forgot. Should I tip him? I rustled in my purse for a few dollars, but he already left by the time I did. Something told me the tip I would give him would be pitiful in comparison to his going rate anyway.
    Once I entered, I knew right away the girls were up to something. In their