Billion Dollar Promises

wisting it into a bun. Last night's event at the Plaza had gone perfectly with flawless execution. But now, the excitement was gone, replaced by a dull ache in her chest.

and the way his hand lingered on hers made everything complicated. She wanted to hate him, to keep him at a distance, but every shared glance felt like a crack in her walls. And her business? Marissa Kent had emailed that m

seconds away from running. Call me when you can." Savannah sighed and tossed the phone onto the couch as she pulled on jeans and a sweater.

g in its own way. Claire Reynold met her at the reception. Her blonde hair was pulled into i

sk as always. "We are going to Mr.

wed Claire down the long hallway, but the fur

very now and then. Down the hallway someone stared a

ock dr

oss T

ible tak

ddenly, the whole fake engagement thing felt like a

line stretched out behind him, but the

e scattered everywhere with reports, folders, things that looked like they hadn't moved

n't give much away. But there was something

otioning to the chair

olded her arms across her c

this?"

made Savannah's stomach twist, and

. "We need to map ou

. "But we have to keep it looking real. K

Claire stepped forward and s

th a full schedule.

," Claire said. "Then a charity auction the week

een as she spoke,

tings and maybe a few staged candid moments. We'll walk you thr

screen. Her name was

d crossed, but now her voice was clipped

ond, something passed across his face b

said quietly. "People love st

ight. " And what happens wh

e said sharply, stepping in before Jaxson c

er photo of her and Jaxson from the dinner, mid

lling you America's Sweethearts. The public's hooked. B

like a cage, but the event success had bought her time with Marissa an

e a smile was threatening t

ed, and she hate

thought, gripping the armre

ttered across his desk, most marked confi

in the hallway. The stock

e not te

d at it, muttered something about

r click

leaning against the desk, arms crossed now, watch

he said, softer than before. Her t

l for it,

xpression. "Just doing my job," she

slightly. Enough to le

he said.

ned in a little closer, lowering his

r pulse kicked up, but her fa

, neither of

t the bad guy here, Savannah. My compa

ce wasn't polished this time. It didn'

f trouble?" she asked, her voice

tapping the desk like he was

mpetitor is pushing hard for a takeover. Quie

o of us? Is not helping at all. But this engagement story

She didn't ask. But something abou

lot riding on this," she s

but there was no humor in

ime, his shoulders dropped. Just a little. Like the

id. "After my dad died. One day he

romised I'd protect it. Keep it strong. But now it's slipping

something catc

him. Her voice was barely a wh

, as if he hadn't expected

rt race. She stood, needing distance

ained soft. "A weekend retreat. Donors, board members, some press.

gh logistics. "I can do that. But no surpr

again. "You're good at this,

he turned away, pretendi

endors and emails with Claire's team. Jaxson was constantly around, his presence was a distraction she couldn't

once, and asked

back to her laptop, her

g how natural they felt when she thought of Jaxson. It's just a job. But at night, alone

pped out of the car. During photo ops, his hand brushed hers just enough to make her

owd lo

er a gold-digger now leaned tow

ouch made her heart race, a

ameras trailing at a distance. The ocean breeze tugged at her dress, and Ja

hing the moonlight. "Don't," she said, h

rushed her wrist, an

ave goals, Jaxson. A business to save. I

yes held her gaze. "I get it. B

asked, her voice barely

photographer called his name, breaking the mome

mous text: He's hiding more than you know. Keep your eyes open. Her blood