Page 9 of How to Train Your Billionaire

“Why can’t we go to Wiggle World?” Madelyn asks with a pout.

Wiggle World is literally hell on earth. I would rather give my left testicle than endure another minute at that soul-sucking place.

“I wish we could,” I say with a frown. “I heard Wiggle World actually closed down.”

Madelyn’s appraising gaze snaps over to mine. “What? No way. My friend Legacy was there last week.”

Legacy?People name their children the strangest things these days.

“Yeah, it’s really a shame what happened, but they’ve closed up for good.”

“Hey, Alexa!” she shouts. “Is Wiggle World open today?”

Alexa informs us that Wiggle World is indeed open today, and then cites today’s hours in a robotic tone. I want to strangle it with its own cord.

She grins. “See, I told you it’s open.”

You can’t lie to kids anymore. It’s really a shame what the world’s come to.

“No Wiggle World, Maddie. What else do you want to do today?” I offer.

“We could get a pedicure.” She smiles at me.

I glance down at my feet. “I think I’m still good from the last time.”

“Ice cream?” She smiles wider.

“It’s almost dinnertime,” I say, glancing at my watch. “Shouldn’t we eat something nutritious first?”

She scrunches her nose. “Ice cream for dinner is fine by me.”

What the hell. You only live once. “Sure, let’s do it, kid.”

The truth is, I need this break. The distraction of a weekend spent catering to the whims of an eight-year-old is exactly what my brain needs. Work has never been busier, my relationship with my parents has never been more toxic.

I need a weekend where the biggest decision I have to make is whether or not to order one scoop or two.

“And then we can watchSing 2later. You’ll love the gorilla, Johnny,” she informs me with a look of absolute certainty.

I chuckle and grab my keys.

My phone rings, and I expect it to be my friend Malachi calling to rub in all that I’m missing in Palm Springs. But when I see it’s my uncle Charles, I decide to answer.

“Hello?”

I hold open the door for Maddie, who happily trots along the stone path leading to the garage.

“Hayes,” he says, sounding excited about something. “I’m glad I caught you. I wanted to let you know that I’ve figured out the fix for my travel schedule.”

I’d kind of forgotten he mentioned wanting to take some time to travel this year. I’d sort of blown it off, to be honest.

“Oh yeah?” I ask.

“Yeah. I’ve decided to hire Frankie to accompany me.”

He did what?Frankie, as in that sociopath Francesca? My brain skids to a stop.

“Hayes?” he asks. “Are you still there?”