The Billionaires Love Curves 2 - a BBW BWWM Billionaire Romance by Cj Howard Page A

fair.”
     
    “Well,” Cole said, “I did just become free for lunch today. A meeting got canceled, so perhaps...”
     
    “Perfect,” Lacey said. “I'm not doing much here, I can't even think straight. Maybe we can meet at The Grantham at twelve thirty?”
     
    “Good choice, but, Lacey, this is on me.”
     
    “No, Cole, this is my thank you to you.”
     
    “Just having lunch is thank you enough. Besides,  if you're feeling down I want to treat you, make you happy. Please let me.”
     
    Lacey thought about this. Losing Nate didn't have to be the end of the world. She was a young and ambitious black woman making her way in the world, what harm would it do to have more friends in her life?
     
    “You know what, Cole? Nothing would make me happier than having a treat right about now. You're on, I'll see you later.”
     
    “I'll book a table for us, Lacey.”
    “Thank you, Cole.”
    It was true, Lacey found it hard to work and welcomed the idea of having an extended lunch break with someone who had been a good friend when she needed one. So Nate and Cole had a history, but it was obvious to see who was the kinder of the two. If only she'd met Cole first.
     
    At twelve thirty, Lacey arrived at The Grantham, Cole was already there, relaxing back in his chair with a broad smile on his face.
     
    “Hi, Cole!”
     
    Cole stood and kissed Lacey on both cheeks.
     
    “It's so nice to see you, Lacey, and you're smiling. I love that smile. You have no idea how my heart went out to you the other night.”
     
    “Yes, I know, Cole – you told me so, right? You warned me Nate was using me and you were right.”
     
    “The last thing I want to do is to gloat, Lacey. I wish I could convince you of my intentions towards you. I know you don't like me in that way, you made that clear, but I really like you as a person. You're intelligent, you have a good sense of humor, and I want to be your friend.”
     
    “Okay, Cole, I give in,” Lacey laughed. “We're friends now. And anyway, I had to put you off the scent while dating Nate, but now, well, now I guess I'm a free agent.”
     
    Lacey could not believe she'd said that. She remembered all the books she'd read about powerful women making their way to the top, and each of them made a point of being able to pick yourself up after a setback and move on.
     
    Romantically, she knew it was too soon, but if there was anyone she might consider moving forward with on a romantic level, why not Cole Tyler? As billionaires went, at least he was honest.
     
    *
     
    Several weeks had gone by since Lacey confronted her boss, Nate, about their relationship and he had made it clear to her that he was not about to be held for ransom. She wanted their relationship out in the open and he did not. There had been only one way that could have gone, and by turning up with a blond just days after Lacey and he said goodbye, Nate was declaring, in her opinion, that he never really loved her.
     
    One advantage to no one at Holden-Taylor knowing that Lacey and Nate had even dated, was that no one there knew that they had split up. While that made it a little easier for Lacey, Nate was now back at work. Seeing him walk past her office or being in the board room with him was still painful.
     
    “You need to get out of there, Lacey,” Elaine had said, one night at their apartment. “Or at least do something to take your mind off him.”
     
    Just then the cell phone rang and it was Cole She had just recently given him the number.
    “Cole!” she said. “Nice to hear from you.”
     
    Elaine began winking at Lacey, pointing at the cell and making “okay” signals with her fingers. Lacey tried to ignore her.
     
    “What am I doing?” Lacey said to Cole. “Nothing.”
    Now Elaine was doing a seductive dance while pointing from Lacey to the cell. Lacey turned her back.
    “You know what, Cole, I would like to go for a drink,” she continued her conversation with Cole. “Yes, Elaine has