“Ah.” Billie cocked her head and smiled. “And the real reason?”
Debra took a breath. If she didn’t say it now, she never would. “I was wondering if you’d like to get some lunch together. Somewhere quiet. In a couple of hours, maybe.”
For the briefest second, Billie’s composure wavered. Debra noted the real Billie in the tiny hitch of her breath.
Debra’s stomach twisted. She was about to be rejectedagain. “It’s okay if you’re busy?—”
“I’m not.” Billie’s answer came so fast that it startled them both. “I mean, I can make time.”
Debra’s lips parted. She hadn’t thought for one second that Billie would take her up on her invitation. “You’ll have lunch with me?”
Billie laughed, and it tookeverythingwithin Debra not to melt to the floor. “You make it sound like I’ve been asked to commit a crime.”
“Judging by the look your assistant gave me when I walked in, I think it would probably be safer if you were.”
“Nina is…Nina. Don’t take it to heart.” Billie stepped out from behind the counter and slipped her hands into her pockets. “Where were you thinking?”
“There’s a place by the river,” Debra said. “It’s nothing fancy, but they do anexcellentrisotto.”
Billie pinned Debra with her stare. God, it wouldn’t be so intense if she hadn’t reminded herself nightly of what this woman was capable of. “Text me the details.”
“I’m sorry…” Debra blinked repeatedly. “Text you?”
Billie reached into the inside pocket of her jacket, pulled out a business card, and held it out. “My direct number’s on there. I trust you’ll use it wisely.”
Debra took it, her fingers brushing Billie’s in the exchange. The contact was brief, but it was enough to send a shiver skittering up her arm. “I’ll do my best.”
“I’m counting on that.” Billie winked.
Fucking hell. This woman was…Debra couldn’t name it. She just knew that Billie Brown was likenobodyshe’d ever come across before.
Debra tucked the card into her bag, her heart racing. “How does two o’clock sound?”
Billie nodded. “Two o’clock is great.” She gazed back at Debra for a moment longer, then she stepped back, her expression returning to that composed neutrality. “I’ll see you in a few hours then.”
“I’ll hold you to it.”
When Debra stepped outside, the warm afternoon light hit her face, and she realised she wasgenuinelysmiling for the first time in years.
She wasn’t the type of woman who usually took a chance and asked someone out to lunch, but if Billie had taught her anything recently, it was that she had to grab life with both hands…and hope the outcome went in her favour.
The stillness of Brown& Co.had never bothered Billie before, but today itgratedon her. She sat at her desk, leaning over the invoices in front of her, scanning the same column of numbers for the third time. Nothing was sticking. Nothing was going in and landing anywhere in her brain. Instead, she sat there tapping her fingers against the paper, staring at the clock situated at the corner on her right.
Midday. Two more hours…
God, she hated that she was counting down to her lunch with Debra. Because counting meant a hint of hope. Billie and hope didnotgo together.
A light knock on the door pulled her gaze from the clock, but she just focused back on the invoices. “Come in.”
“Miss Brown?” The door clicked shut behind Nina. Billie could feel the shift in the air before she’d even locked eyes withher. The energy today seemed taut and uncertain. “I’ve updated the stock lists,” Nina said, setting a folder on the desk. “And the new clients from this morning have been confirmed.”
“Good.” Billie signed one of the forms, the scratch of the pen setting her teeth on edge. “You can leave everything here with me.”
Nina lingered instead of leaving. “Is there anything else you need?”
Billie looked up with a frown. “No.”
But Nina didn’t move. Her hands were clasped behind her back, her shoulders stiff in a way Billie recognised. Nina…wanted to be dominated. Billie laughed inwardly. Why Ninaassumedshe had the right was beyond her.
