Page 26 of Billionaire Bad Boy Auction

“That’s nice of you,” I said with a forced smile. “But I’m not sure that’s the right fit for me. I really appreciate the thought, though.”

He waved a hand, brushing off my hesitation. “Think about it. It’s a steady paycheck, and it’ll give you a chance to get your feet wet in the industry. North Carolina is different than New York. You never know—it might lead to something more.”

I forced another smile, nodding as if I were considering it. But inside, I was seething. This wasn’t about helping me. This was about him feeling like he owed my father a favor.

“Thank you,” I said.

When he finally left, Alexis let out a low whistle. “Well, that was a whole lot of condescension.”

I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming on. “Tell me about it.”

Alexis studied me. “You’re not taking it, are you?”

I shook my head. “Hell no.”

But the truth was, I didn’t know what I was going to do. I had a decent nest egg that would cover my bills for about three more months, but that wasn’t much time, and I was stressing. I needed a plan. Needed a way to prove—to myself, to everyone else—that I wasn’t just some loser back in town with nothing.

And for some reason, my thoughts drifted to Dean. To the business he’d built, the work he did, the way he’d figured out how to make a living on his own terms. To the fact that, despite his best efforts, he kept ending up in my orbit.

Something shifted inside me. I didn’t need a safe job offer. I needed to make my own path. And I knew exactly where to start.

“I wish I could hire you here,” she said with a sigh. “I would pay you a thousand dollars an hour.”

I laughed. “If you’re making that kind of money, you’re taking me to Mexico for a two-week vacation.”

I grinned at Alexis, but my mind was already racing, the seed of an idea taking root. I wasn’t ready to talk about it. Not yet. It needed to marinate a bit.

“So, what do you need me to do?” I asked.

“Are you sure you want to hang out here?” she asked. “Don’t you want to enjoy the lake? You’re kind of on vacation.”

I considered what Alexis said about enjoying the lake. She was right—I was essentially on vacation. A forced one, but still.

“You know what? Maybe I will go enjoy the lake,” I said, grabbing my purse. “I’ve been cooped up too much. Maybe the fresh air will clear my head.”

Alexis beamed, clearly surprised I was actually going to take the suggestion. “Go get some sun. You’re looking a little pale from all that New York living.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling. “Any chance you can play hooky?” I asked.

She scrunched up her nose. “I wish. I’ve got a couple of orders I need to get done.”

“I can help.”

“Sorry, but this is going to take some experience,” she said.

“I would hate to sew a sleeve to a crotch.”

She laughed. “That would be bad. And pretty hard to accomplish.”

“Do you remember Home Ec? Seventh grade I think it was.”

She burst into laughter. “Do you still have a scar?”

I held up my finger. “Right through the damn thing.”

“Mrs. Rosco nearly passed out,” Alexis said.

I chuckled at the memory. “She almost did. I think she thought she was going to have to explain to my parents why I’d sewn through my finger in her class. Honestly, it’s a miracle I didn’t pass out first.”