My Grumpy Billionaire

Chapter Twelve

Sierra

I guide my Ferrari along the driveway leading to Ted Lasker’s enormous mansion, where a Hollywood birthday party is taking place. Grandma was friends with him, and she introduced me some years ago.

He’s an interesting man. Successful. Has a great sense of how to tell a good story that gets people talking and coming back for another viewing in theaters. He invited me to a few movie premieres, and I went when I could with Grandma.

After she passed away, I started to receive invitations to his birthday parties as well. Apparently, Ted thinks of me as his own daughter. Sweet of him to do so, although I don’t see how sincere or deep that “feeling” can be, since we haven’t spent much time together while Grandma was alive.

Although he sent me birthday party invitations for the past three years, I’ve never attended. The first time I received one, I was getting married, and the subsequent two years were occupied with wedding anniversaries.

But this year I’m divorced! So why not enjoy the day by going to a fancy Hollywood birthday party?

Ted Lasker’s ivory home is opulent, with lots of turrets and terraces. It would remind me of the New Orleans masquerade party venue if it weren’t for the fact that this place is a bit too shiny and slick.

Wonder if the Midnight God will be here…

I shake my head and snort. What are the odds?

The straw hat I’m wearing has a wide brim. I push it down so the breeze doesn’t rip it off my head and turn my attention back to the mansion. The windows are arched and spotless. The lawns are cut evenly, bushes trimmed just so. Contemporary statues of people in sexually suggestive poses dot the garden. Tastefully done, since they aren’t overtly displaying any genitalia or breasts. Their faces are sort of weird—not because the artists did a terrible job but because I’m not a fan of statue expressions. All those blank eyes above expressive mouths. Whatever they’re supposed to emote always appears fake.

The eyes are the window to the soul for a reason.

I walk into the foyer. Black and white squares stretch out like a chessboard. An orange-haired man is at the entrance with a tablet. His huge forehead reminds me of Tweety, if you bleached him and made him less cute. Guess he isn’t joining the party, since he’s in a teal shirt and jeans. The invitation specifically said we should wear bathing suits, and I have a bikini on underneath a pink kimono.

He looks me up and down, then pins me with a haughty green gaze. “You are…?”

“Sierra Fullilove.” I smile.

“I’m Joey, Ted Lasker’s primary and chief assistant.” He introduces himself likes he’s announcing the Queen of England. “Give me a moment.” He checks something on his tablet. “There you are.” He lifts his head and shoots me a perfunctory smile. “Presents go there.”

“Okay.” I put a wrapped box on the huge pile he indicated.

“Enjoy.” He waggles short fingers, dismissing me.

What an odd man.But maybe he’s tired from having to check everyone in by himself.

I walk down the air-conditioned hall and note suits of armor and heads of horses. Another reminder of the mansion in New Orleans.

And the Midnight God. Actually, the only thing I’m really thinking about is the Midnight God. Why didn’t I listen to Ellie? I could’ve gone back upstairs and gotten his name and number instead of sitting on my butt and telling myself it wasn’t meant to be.

Even if he isn’t local… I don’t know. Maybe we could’ve texted. Or something. Or maybe I could’ve opened a satellite office in his town. Anything is possible.

What I did was akin to passing up a fifty-percent-off sale on the most amazing chocolate in the world.

Wait, that’s not right. The most amazing vibrator.

Although he’s more like a dildo…

When I reach the pool outside, a blonde in a bikini rushes over. “Hey, want a balloon?” She waves a vagina-shaped red balloon in front of me. “We’re about to have a game, and Team V needs another player.”

“Um. No?” I want to find Ted and wish him happy birthday before getting roped into playing some game.

“You sure?”

“Maybe later. I need to say hello to Ted first.”

Her eyes widen. “You’re friends with Ted?”