Freedom (Billionaire Secrets 2)

“Fine, you can wear a pair of wedges,” Linda said. “But at least try on some of the clothes I picked out.”

After she slipped out of the uncomfortable shoes, Heather made her way to the dressing room while Linda and Beatrice waited outside.

Once she wiggled her way into a sassy red number that stopped just above her knees, Heather had to admit she liked how she looked. She hated admitting that, but she loved the way the dress hugged her body. It made her feel sexy. The same way Simon always made her feel when he gazed at her with that smoldering fire in his eyes.

She groaned inwardly. It didn’t matter what she did, her thoughts always drifted to Simon. This reunion   was supposed to prove that she was totally over him, but just thinking about him made her heart flutter.

Enough. Get out there and be professional.

Shaking off her nerves, she stepped out of the dressing room to get Linda’s opinion.

“Wow.” Linda’s eyes widened in delight. “You look absolutely gorgeous.”

“Don’t look so surprised,” Heather said in indignation. “I might not be a supermodel, but I’ve still got it.”

“You do,” Linda agreed. “It’s about time you realized that, missy. And showed it off.”

Heather smiled despite her worry about still being hung up on her boss. “I like this dress. I’m going to try on all the others, but this is a strong contender.”

“I agree,” Beatrice piped up. “You look ravishing.”

Having the two of them compliment how she looked was making some of the weight of the reunion   seem lighter. Heather hadn’t been treated like she was beautiful during her marriage. Truth be told, most of the time she felt like someone Gary tolerated rather than his wife. It made sense, considering they’d only gotten married because she got pregnant, but her new job kept reminding her just how badly Gary had treated her. If there was one thing she’d take away from working at Dover, it was the extra boost of confidence everyone on the staff had given her.

By the time they finished shopping, it was time for Heather to pick up her son from her parents’ house. When Finn hopped into the car she flashed him a big smile in the mirror.

“How was your day, pumpkin?” she asked as she drove away.

“It was the best, Mom!” her son replied excitedly. “Today was animal day, and a zookeeper brought a bunch of snakes and frogs.”

To her that sounded like a nightmare, but if Finn was delighted by scary animals then she’d be excited right along with him.

“That’s great,” she said, her smile widening.

Her son was the most important thing in the world. The best thing that had ever happened to her. The reunion   was going to be worth it if that meant she could protect Finn. It didn’t matter how deeply she cared for Simon... there was only enough room in her heart for her son.

HE HADN’T BEEN TO HEATHER’S house since the day she’d slammed the door in his face.

Now, as he walked towards the door, his chest tightened. Linda had instructed that they needed to show up at the reunion   venue early, and he’d volunteered to pick her up from her place.

Simon rang the doorbell and Heather opened it moments later.

Damn. She looked so beautiful he was actually at a loss for words.

Here he was, standing at her front door, gaping like a fool. This was a little bit too much like prom night for his liking.

He cleared his throat. “Heather. You look...”

Don’t say adequate.

Her lips twisted up into a shy smile that made his heart hammer.

“Honestly, I don’t think beautiful is a good enough word,” he forced out, still grasping for the right words. “You look stunning.”

And he sounded like a babbling half-wit. But he couldn’t help it.

Her slender body was draped in a red cocktail dress that stopped right above her knees. The dress was strapless, and her auburn hair cascaded over her bare shoulders.

Heather didn’t usually wear much makeup. He didn’t know what the reason was, but he was almost positive it was because she didn’t need it. But tonight, her lips were a dangerous shade of red and she had put on her contacts, her hazel eyes dazzling even in the dim evening light.