Romance: Two Nights with the Billionaire Read Free Page A

gives me another slow once-over, I feel like a blimp.
    I should say something.
    I should demand to see a manager or make a comment about spending my money elsewhere. It’s not her fault that this shop only stocks clothes for skeletons and bobbleheads, but she doesn’t have to take so much glee in humiliating the normal-sized women among us.
    But I don’t do anything.
    I simply smile, turn, and walk out.
    It’s not till I’m out on the street that my lower lip starts to tremble and I feel tears escaping from my stinging eyes.
    Sucking in a sob, I quickly walk around the corner and out of sight of both the shop and other passersby. Still sniffling, I pull out my phone and call the one person I can count on.
     
     

 
    Chapter 5
     
     

 
     
     
     
    Twenty minutes and two triple-choc muffins later, Nicole walks into the coffee shop where she’s told me to wait.
    I just needed to hear her voice - I didn’t expect her to drop everything and come running. But watching her walk through the doors, her blond hair glowing like a halo around her smiling face, is the best thing ever.
    She looks a lot like the woman in the shop, actually. Immaculate hair and nails and makeup.
    But where the shop girl had been cool and snooty and even a little nasty, Nicole smiles and it radiates warmth and love. Her wide eyes glow with honesty and kindness and – and life. This is the reason she’s so successful.
    How could anyone not love her?
    My earlier sadness drops away and I smile brightly, letting a little squeal as I jump to my feet to embrace her. She’s still wearing the same perfume.
    It’s so familiar.
    It smells like home.
    “Hey girl,” she says as we take our seats at the table. “I did something totally naughty on my way here.”
    Her wicked grin makes me laugh. “You didn’t have to drop everything just for me. I’m okay now.”
    And it’s true.
    “It’s been months since we’ve seen each other, at least face to face, but you’re still my best friend.” She waves to the waiter and orders two more coffees before continuing. “You call, I come running. You’d do the same for me.”
    “Thank you for coming. It’s so good to see you.”
    She takes my hand and gives me a squeeze. “So what do you want me to confess first? My naughty deed or my nasty deed?”
    “Naughty?” I ask, tentative.
    “I got that bitch fired. Called her boss, introduced myself and made it clear that I found her attitude and behavior abhorrent and told her boss that I could not possibly keep my thoughts to myself.” She laughs and we wait while the waiter serves our coffees. “The owner was so desperate, he practically begged me to let him fire her.”
    My hand slaps over my mouth and I immediately feel guilty.
    What if the girl needed that job?
    What if she was a single mother or couldn’t pay her rent now?
    “Oh no you don’t,” Nicole scolded me, seeing my thoughts like they’re written on my forehead. “People who need their jobs care about customer service.”
    A well-dressed older lady at the table next to us coughs and throws us a disapproving look.
    We both stifle a laugh and Nicole lowers her voice.
    “She made you cry, Jen, and she did it because she’s mean. She will never learn how to be an actual human being until she learns how to behave like a decent person. Maybe in her next job she’ll put her inner bitch away at work and treat people with the respect they deserve.”
    Nicole’s right, and I can’t help feeling a little thrill of delight at the nasty woman getting fired.
    But it still makes me feel bad.
    “What’s the nasty deed?” I ask, remembering what Nicole had said.
    She grins even wider and takes a self-satisfied sip of her coffee. “I visited the boutique and would you believe it, the girl recognized me!”
    “Oh…”
    “That’s what she said!” she gushes in mock surprise. Nicole is one of New York’s leading high fashion models right now. “She said, ‘Oh my gosh! Nicole, it is such