Billionaires in New York Boxed Set: Billionaires in the City Books 1-3 by Laura Burton (learn to read books .TXT) 📕

inside. He nodded, unable to find his voice. Julie eyed him carefully, her head tilted to one side. She turned away, then shot him one more look.

“You know, you’re a bit different. But you really are a gentleman,” she said. Harry could detect a hint of surprise in the tone of her voice. He swallowed and raised his hand in an awkward wave.

“That’s me.” He flashed her a Cheshire cat smile. Julie shook her head to herself and picked up her dress as she climbed the steps.

“I had a wonderful time too,” Harry called after her. “I think you’re great. Better than great. I’m sorry I’m weird. But I’d like to see you again!” Sweat started to form above his lip and across his brow.

Stop talking. Stop talking.

“You will see me again. We’re going to that charity event, remember?” Julie called back, now fiddling with her keys. She stood at the top of the steps in the elegant gown, and her long blonde hair flowed freely to her lower back. She looked like a goddess.

“The charity thing…,” Harry murmured to himself. His mother’s face popped into his head and he jumped with realization. “Oh yes, the charity thing. I’ll call you about it tomorrow?” He shouted. Julie nodded back at him as the door swung open.

“Good night, Harry.”

He raised a hand to his heart as it fluttered with excitement at the sound of his name.

“Good night.”

Harry returned to his apartment in a haze. He paid no attention to the muttering staff grouped together across the street. He did not hear Benjamin speaking to him in urgent tones as they sat in the back of the car. He was not even aware of the engine rumbling and the car swinging side to side as the driver navigated the roads. He just sat in a bubble of happiness, replaying the events of the evening.

Julie twirling her platinum hair and blinking at him coyly across the dinner table at the restaurant and the way she gazed at all of the lights in their private balcony and took in the view. She scrunched up her nose and wriggled it to the side at one point, as if trying to scratch an itch without using her hands. And she sat so poised and elegant, though a hint of a pout told him that perhaps she would prefer to be wearing something more relaxed.

“It’s this silly dress, you see.”

He couldn’t remember the exact words she used, but Harry found it refreshing that Julie was so honest. In the Hollywood business, women rarely said a word about their clothes in a negative way. All the actresses walked in the most impractical shoes and dangerously tight and revealing gowns. Harry often wondered if there was some unspoken competition between the women: Who wore it better, whose heels were highest, how many ruffles could they fit on a skirt?

“Sir, I need you to listen.”

Harry blinked out of his daze and looked at Benjamin.

“Sorry, I was miles away….”

“Yes. I need to make you aware of an event.”

“What is it? Pushy paparazzi? Rogue reporters?”

“This is no laughing matter, sir.”

“Sorry, Benjamin.”

“It has been brought to my attention that you were being followed.”

“By who?”

“It is uncertain at this stage, and we were able to deter the individual from coming too close.”

“Who do you think they are? Surely you have your theories.”

“If I’m honest, I think it was a hired investigator.”

Harry stared at Benjamin’s bushy brows with intensity as he tried to process the news. He puffed out the air from his cheeks as the car came to a stop.

“Right, well thank you for informing me.” Harry made to leave the car.

“That’s not all.”

He stopped short and looked pointedly at Benjamin, whose face had turned grim. He slowly pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from his jacket.

“One of my men found this. It’s addressed to you.”

Harry took the note and smoothed out the creases to read the single line.

Walk away now, or I will destroy you.

Chapter Five

Lady Luck

Julie closed the door and twirled on the spot with a squeal.

“So, how did it go?”

She jumped and cried out in surprise at the unexpected voice, then turned to see Emily sitting cross-legged on the couch. A black cat purred in her lap, and she looked up at Julie as she walked in.

“Emily. What are you still doing here?” she asked. Emily raised a tub of Ben & Jerry’s and gave a happy smile.

“I couldn’t leave Tabby here all alone,” she cooed as she tickled the cat’s ears. Tabby purred and looked at Julie as if to say, “I like her more than you.” Julie stood rooted on the spot, still reeling from shock. Then, a rush of excited energy flooded her veins and she broke into a dance.

“It was amazing,” she said breathlessly. Emily moved the cat and jumped to her feet with a little scream.

“Tell me everything. Spare no details.”

“Harry is so sweet, and he’s totally not what I expected,” Julie began, her eyes glazing over as she replayed the date.

“Oh, Harry, is it? You’re on informal terms, then?”

“We had our own private balcony with fairy lights and everything.”

“How romantic.” Emily sighed and clasped her hands together.

“He kept apologizing for things,” Julie noted. “Oh, I nearly forgot.” She raised a hand to her cheek with horror. Emily rested her hands on her hips and surveyed Julie.

“What?”

Julie looked at Emily as if she was seeing her for the first time. “I was so clumsy, like the stereotypical girl in a romcom. It was mortifying.” She arched her back and attempted to reach the zipper, but Emily marched across the room and took over.

“So, are we talking, you dropped your purse on the floor? Or you spilled your drink over the table?” She loosened the gown and Julie could breathe deeply for the first time in hours.

“I nearly fell flat on my face,” she said pointing to the long skirt of her gown. She picked up the dress and tiptoed to her bedroom.