Millionaire Hero (Freeman Brothers 4)

But I figured it was just a one-and-done thing. He didn’t want me again, or even think of me that way. If he did, I would have heard from him more than just the cursory responses to my emails. Because of the weird situation we were in with our professional relationship and the fairly recent end of my relationship, I wanted to put the ball in his court. If he was interested in more with me, he’d let me know.

He hadn’t said anything or even hinted at revisiting our amazing chemistry. That just meant I was going to list him in the category of good life experiences and move on. He was still willing to help me with my investments. That was the original intention of us interacting beyond him looking into the situation with Justin, so our night, and morning, together were just a bonus.

When I got into Nick’s office, I noticed a couple of changes. The decorations on the receptionist’s desk had had a refresh, and some new furniture had taken up residence in the waiting area of the lobby. The biggest change was the new face behind a simple desk in a tiny office halfway down the hallway. I hadn’t even realized that room was an office during my other visits. I’d assumed the closed door was a closet.

But there he was, a fresh-faced young man in a suit and grown-up version of a little boy’s first day of school haircut. He gave me a wide smile and waved as I walked by. I waved in return and made my way to Nick’s office.

The door was standing partially open. I stopped outside and drew in a breath, readying myself for seeing him again. With any luck, my clothes would stay on and I wouldn’t just crawl across the desk into his lap.

When I felt like I had enough control over myself, I knocked on the door and peered around through the gap. Nick looked up at me, and his eyes widened.

“Hey, Bryn,” he said, gesturing for me to come in. “Come on in.”

I opened the door, purposely leaving it several inches further open than it had been as another layer of insurance against my desire. “Hi. I hope you aren’t busy.”

“No,” he said quickly, shaking his head. “Not at all. What’s brings you by?”

I reached into my purse and pulled out the check I had already written him. Holding it out to him, I smiled. “There you go.”

“What’s this?” he asked.

“My seed money,” I said.

He took the check and looked at it, his expression impressed. “Really? That’s fantastic. From what you were saying, I thought it was going to take a lot longer for you to have it.”

“I thought it would, but a few of my best clients really came through for me. With the idea of investment in front of me, I was able to really focus and buckle down. And I did it,” I said.

“Yes, you did. Congratulations.”

“Thank you. So, now what? What comes next?” I asked.

He gestured to the chair across from him, and I sat down. “First, we sign some more papers. Just agreements that you are investing a set amount and what you are investing in. Some permission and release forms.” Nick took out a folder and opened it to reveal several forms. He slid it across the desk toward me. “Go ahead and go over these, and we’ll get everything underway.”

I read through the papers and signed them. When I was done, I gave a resolute sigh and slid the folder back toward him. “There we go. All official.”

“Perfect.” He looked up from the papers to me. “Want to stay for lunch?”

“I actually can’t. I have another appointment. But thank you.”

I stood up and he followed. There was a look on his face I couldn’t quite interpret. It looked like it might be something close to regret.

“Okay, well, I’ll update you on everything,” he said.

I nodded and left quickly before my resolve failed. I needed to get out of there and to the doctor’s office.22NickDarren flew over the finish line, the other bikes trailing behind him. The family and crew gathered at the pit by the side of the track shouted and jumped in celebration. We wanted to run right out to him, but we had to wait for the rest of the riders to finish up the race and the machines to get off the track. Now wasn’t the time for any of us to get crushed or to be the reason for a massive pileup on the track.

When we were finally able to get to him, we rushed out to the finish line and gathered Darren up in an excited celebration. The win was huge, the third in a streak that was pushing him even further ahead of the rest of the pack. He had already made a major name for himself in the industry and was just getting more popular with every race.