Page 48 of The Rebel Billionaire

I smile. “Of course, delivered with a smile and a breakfast bar. He looked at me like I’d grown a second head.”

“I’m going to miss your interactions. Alex will defrost once he realises that he can’t change the outcome and my baby is coming whether he likes it or not. Anyway, I’ll knock and see what he needs today.”

As soon as Callie moves out of sight, I reopen the email from Monty. It contains an updated quote. Monty sent the original over on Saturday, which I immediately forwarded to Alessandro for sign-off. He replied almost instantaneously, wanting a few items added, including a cake. I sent the revised request back to Monty. I’m not sure the man ever stops. He’s got being a workaholic down to a fine art, but then he reminds me of my brothers before their wives came into their lives and showed them another way.

My heart hurts at the thought. I miss them and our banter. Them telling me I need to grow up and me telling them all to butt out of my life.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, Brooke Feldmann is being a fully fledged grown-up, with grown-up responsibilities. If only they could see me now.

My email pings, announcing several messages from various heads of department asking for clarification about Friday’s event.

Everything looks good, so I breathe a sigh of relief.

Callie reappears, so I close my messages.

“Head off to see Sue. I’ve got everything covered,” she says. “It seems you’ve finally impressed him,” she adds with a wink. “Well done.”

My head swims as I head to meet Sue, with a grin the size of New York.

“Oh shit, cake,” I say, only to find Callie close behind me.

“Don’t worry, I’ll grab him a slice,” she says, shooing me into the elevator.

CHAPTER 15

HARPER

Callie is at another doctor’s appointment. David is worse than a mother hen. Her words, not mine. It means I’m holding down the fort. Great practice for next week, because then it’s all on me. At least not having Callie to rely on gives me a clear view of what I do and don’t know.

I look at the clock. It’s one thirty. Is he going to spend all day shut in there? He’s told me to hold all calls and followed it up with, ‘Brooke, I don’t want to be disturbed.’

But that was four hours ago.

My stomach grumbles.

Okay, this is ridiculous. The man was here before me, and I arrived just before eight. I’m still trying to get used to the time difference, especially since Mum keeps ringing me on Pen’s bat-phone, as I like to call it. She knows the time difference but doesn’t seem to consider that I might appreciate an occasional lie-in. Not that I’m complaining, I love hearing from both her and Kat, all the comings and goings, the latest Frazer gossip.

I call down to the cafeteria.

“Hi, Bea, it’s Brooke. Sorry to call, but I don’t want to leave the desk. Can I have Alessandro’s special lunch made up?”

“Of course, hon. Do you want something for yourself? I can make you the chicken salad you enjoyed the other day.”

I look over at his door.

Well, it’s not like I’m going anywhere.

“That would be amazing. Thank you, but only if it’s not too much trouble.”

“It’s not, and we’re quiet now. The lunch rush is almost over.”

“Great. When shall I pop down?”

“It’s okay, I’ll get one of the girls to bring it up. I’m sure they’ll appreciate a break from the kitchen.”

“Thank you.”

I cut off the call and sit back. I still have a few tasks to complete, so a working lunch may mean less time spent catching up after hours tonight.