Waiting on the Billionaire

by Jenna Brandt

He tried to reach out to pull her into his embrace, but she moved even further back. “Don’t do that. You’ll just confuse things. I need to make a clean break.” A vehicle pulled up and honked the horn. “That’s my Uber ride. I have to go.”

  Lana turned around and left, not looking back. She didn’t want to be haunted by his look of dejection.

  15

  Three weeks had passed since Lana walked out of Bryce’s life. He tried to convince himself it was for the best—that she did them both a favor by leaving—but he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

  He tried everything to distract himself. From hitting the gym hard, to throwing himself into work, but nothing helped him move on from missing Lana Collins.

  Today, he stood in the middle of a racquetball court with Roger, pounding out his disappointment on the tiny red target.

  “Wow, what’s gotten into you? I mean, you’ve always been competitive, but this is like you’re a machine bent on domination.”

  “Sorry,” Bryce stated, trying to catch his breath. “I need to vent my frustration, but this isn’t working. I need to head over to church and pray for a while.”

  “You’ve changed so much since meeting her. Even now with her gone, you still go to church and focus on that secret new app you promise will change the world.”

  “She reminded me of my roots—who I was before Titan Enterprises. I owe her so much because I forgot myself and she helped me remember.”

  “Wow, you never told me all of that until now. No wonder this is so hard on you. I wish I could find someone to help me reset who I am. After what happened with Gabrielle, I haven’t liked myself very much lately.”

  “You know, you can change too, Roger. It doesn’t take a woman to help you. God is always waiting. You’re welcome to come with me to church anytime.”

  Roger thought about it for a moment, then nodded. “I would like that.”

  “Good, I’m glad to hear it. Do you want to get back to the game?”

  “No, talking this out is more important. You sound like you still really care for her and playing another round of racquetball will not change that.”

  “I do. I care so much, but it doesn’t seem to be enough. The hardest part is, something else happened the night she ended things, but she never told me. I keep replaying our conversation in my mind. I was foolish to let her walk away without understanding why.”

  Roger picked up his towel and swiped his forehead as he leaned against a nearby wall. “Even if that’s true, it wouldn’t change the fact she moved to LA for her job. We both know long-distance relationships don’t work. You would have tried for a while, but after a couple of months—six at the most—you would have called it quits.”

  “I don’t think so. Lana is different. How we were together was different. I should have fought for her.” Bryce brushed his hand through his hair as he added, “I gave up and that was a mistake. I need to go to LA and correct it.”

  “I admire your conviction, Bryce. Few men would travel across the country to win someone back, let alone admit they were wrong.”

  “I’ll do anything to show Lana we are meant to be together.”

  As Lana sat in her trailer on the set of her new drama, she rubbed the back of her neck, exhausted from her second week of fourteen-hour days. The pilot had impressed the test audience and network executives so much, they ordered a full season. Though she was happy for the amazing opportunity, it meant long days filled with tons of lines to memorize, marks to hit, and deliveries to give.

  There was a knock on the door and she heard one of the production assistants say from the other side, “Miss Collins, they finished up the script changes. The director is ready for you.”

  “Thank you, Elaine. I’ll be out in just a minute,” Lana stated as she put her shoes back on. She checked her makeup in the mirror, though she knew the makeup artist would make repairs before letting her back on the set.

  Once on the sound stage, Lana took a couple of deep breaths to steady herself and looked across at her acting partner, the TV heart-throb, Chris Hamilton. It still surprised her on a daily basis that the network cast her—a complete unknown—in the role opposite of him.

  A week into production, Lana worked up the nerve to ask the casting director why he picked her. He told her it was because of the firm resolve she gave the character. The other women who read before Lana had played the character weak or compliant, but she had presented her as a force to be reckoned with.

  Chris started from his mark and delivered his lines, prompting Lana to respond in turn. Though she had rejected Chris’ advances to make their professional relationship more, she respected the fact he could keep it separate. He was a good actor to spar with on screen.

  Four hours later, they were finishing up the final scene of the day. She was saying her goodbyes to the cast and crew when out of the corner of her eye, she saw Bryce.

  Lana froze in her spot, not sure what to do. Bryce made his way over to her side. The last remaining people eyed him skeptically as he moved past them.

  One of the assistant directors, Gary Tran, asked, “Lana, are you okay? Do you need me to get security?”

  She shook her head. “No, I know him. It’s all right.”

  Gary moved towards Bryce and said, “I don’t know who you are or how you got on this set, but you’ve got five minutes while I finish wrapping everything up for the day. Once I’m done, you’re done.”

  Lana wanted to correct Gary, but figured it was better if she limited her time with Bryce anyway. She didn’t want to confuse how things stood after not hearing from him in over three weeks. It had made it pressingly clear, he didn’t care.

  She folded her arms across her chest and narrowed her gaze. “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to see you.”

  “Whatever for? I thought we said everything we needed to at the masquerade ball.”

  With a shake of his head, Bryce corrected her, “No, I made a mistake. Actually, I made quite a few mistakes, starting with not stopping you that night when you left, not to mention questioning you further about what happened before you left.”

  Lana frowned with a shrug. “It doesn’t matter.”

  “Yes, it does. I want to know, Lana.”

  “Look, it was something I needed to hear. I was living a delusion that you and I would ever work. Those girls in the restroom did me a favor by pointing that fact out.”

  Bryce’s face paled as he took her hand. “Don’t say that. We do work. You’ve helped me realize I strayed away from who I was and now am. Because of you, I found my way back to God. I’ve been focusing on work that helps others. You’ve even inspired me to create a new app like my first one.”

  “You did?” Lana asked with curiosity. “What is it?”

  “It’s called Grace’s Lane, after you. Just like Blaze and Graze, it will make a difference but with a Christian emphasis. The app will connect Christian consumers with Christian businesses and a portion of every sale will go to support missions in third world countries.”

  “That’s amazing, Bryce. I’m glad you’ve stayed close to God and want to help spread His love, despite what happened with us.”

  He reached out and took her hands. His eyes pleaded with her to listen. “I understand being hurt and scared, and it was natural to want to run away under those circumstances. I should have stopped you, and made you listen to me tell you how much I love you.”

  Lana’s eyes grew round with surprise. “You love me?”

  “I love you so much I’ll fly from New York to Los Angeles and back a hundred times if that’s what it takes to convince you we belong together.”

  “But our lives are in completely different places now. Even if I felt the same, how could we make it work?”

  “I’ve already looked into it, and it might take a couple of months, but I can move my headquarters for Titan Enterprises here. We already have an office in LA, so it will be a matter of figuring out the logistics.”

  “Wha
t about your dad? It would be hard leaving him. You’re the only family he has.”

  “I talked with him too, and he agrees I need to do this—that you’re worth changing everything. Besides, he told me he would love to expand by opening a second location, so he could put a manager in charge of the one in Queens and then move out here and start one.”

  “That would be amazing. I can’t believe you would both do all of that for me,” she exclaimed.

  “My dad thinks you’re good for me and he’s right. I would do anything for you, Lana. I’ll never be happy unless we’re together. You’re the one for me,” he proclaimed, pulling her into his arms and placing a passionate kiss upon her lips.

  She leaned back and looked into his eyes. “I love you too. When I took off, I was just scared and stupid. I should have given you the benefit of the doubt, but it was easier to hide out here in LA than to face the possibility you didn’t want to fight for us.”

  He cupped the side of her face with his hand as he stared into her eyes. “I will always fight for us, Lana Collins.”

  “Then I think this is the happiest day of my life,” she exclaimed.

  He leaned down and kissed her as cheers and applause thundered around them.

  Lana realized the entire cast and crew of her show hadn’t left, but merely drifted off into the shadows to watch her interaction with Bryce. The fact they had an audience only intensified her feelings of joy. She wanted the entire world to know her heart belonged to Bryce Montgomery.

  Epilogue

  Six months later

  Filled with joy, Bryce smiled as Lana looked out the window of the private jet with anticipation. He couldn’t wait to see her reaction to what he planned for their special trip.

  “So, you’re really not going to tell me what you have planned for our first night in Paris?” she inquired, turning her attention to him.

  He shook his head. “No, I want it to be a complete surprise.”

  “It’s quite sneaky of you to plan all of this behind my back while I was busy with my press junkets.”

  “I know,” he said with a roguish grin. “I figured you would be plenty distracted by your show’s launch to notice.”

  The plane descended and Lana clasped her hands together in excitement. “I can see the glittering lights of the city. I can’t believe I will finally be in Paris.”

  Bryce reached across from his seat and took her hand. “I want to make all your dreams come true, Lana. This is just the first of many.”

  “Between this trip, being with you, and my show being a huge hit, I have everything I’ve ever wanted.” She beamed with a smile she couldn’t contain. “I can’t believe how blessed I am.”

  As they disembarked from the plane, the chauffeur took their luggage and placed it in the back of the waiting limo. While the view distracted Lana enough to take a picture, he whispered the secret destination to the driver.

  “So, are you going to tell me where we are going first, now that we are here?” Lana probed, placing her hand on her side.

  “Oh, no, you don’t. You’re not getting it out of me that easy.”

  “I can’t believe you’re really not going to tell me.”

  “Of course I won’t. It would ruin the surprise. Once we are at our destination, the driver will take our bags to our separate rooms.”

  Lana nodded and Bryce could tell she was grateful for the respectful accommodations. She gave her hand to Bryce, who helped her into the car. They weaved through the streets, thick with traffic as most of the city dwellers were getting off work. A few minutes later, they pulled up in front of a dock area off of the Seine River.

  “Are you ready for dinner?” Bryce asked with a giant grin. “I rented an entire boat for us for the evening.”

  “You did? How wonderful,” Lana proclaimed. “I’ve heard of people cruising along the river and having dinner, but I never imagined I would do it, let alone on our own private boat.”

  “I told you this would be a trip to remember.”

  “You are definitely keeping your word,” she said with admiration.

  Bryce guided her onto the boat where a small string trio played French opera ballads. A table was set with fine crystal and china in the center of the top deck of the boat. Bryce pulled out a chair for Lana who graciously took the seat. He then went around the table and sat across from her.

  “I have to confess; this is terribly romantic.”

  “Does that mean you approve?” Bryce teased.

  She nodded emphatically. “The city is so beautiful at dusk. This is the perfect beginning to our trip. Look how breathtaking Notre Dame looks with the hues of the sunset behind it.”

  “It’s quite magnificent,” Bryce agreed.

  The food was served, and they spent the next couple of hours eating and talking about what they planned to do while in Paris. Tomorrow they would take a private tour of the Louvre and attend the French opera in box seats—one of Lana’s lifelong dreams.

  Once their meal was complete, Bryce helped Lana from the table and escorted her down to the bow of the boat. The trio played again as the couple approached.

  “Dance with me,” Bryce requested, as he pulled her into his arms. The music filled the air, causing them to move to the rhythm. He looked down into Lana’s eyes and in that moment, he was certain he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

  The boat came to a stop in front of the Eiffel Tower. It was illuminated with shimmering lights blinking and dancing for their enjoyment. Lana’s head turned to take in the marvelous sight. “Just when I thought tonight couldn’t get any more wonderful, you bring me here.” She reached up and kissed him, then whispered against his lips, “Thank you.”

  “The night isn’t over yet,” he said with a joyful grin. “I have one more surprise for you.” He stepped back and pulled out a small black velvet box.

  Lana’s hands flew to her face as her eyes grew round with elation. Tears of joy formed in the corner of her eyes as she shook with anticipation.

  “Over the past nine months, you have changed my life profoundly, Lana Collins. I never knew I could be so happy and I want to spend the rest of my life making you just as happy.” He dropped to one knee and opened the box. “Will you marry me, Lana, and be my wife?”

  She nodded her head over and over as he took her left hand and placed the ring on her finger. “A perfect fit.”

  “Just like us,” she stated between sobs. Lana put her hands on both sides of his face, raising him up to stand before her. “I love you so much, Bryce.”

  He picked her up and spun her around the front of the boat as the blinking lights of the Paris night glittered around them.

  A Note from the Author

  I hope you have enjoyed Waiting on the Billionaire and plan to continue to read the rest of this series including Nanny for the Billionaire, Roger’s story, and Merging with the Billionaire, his sister’s story, as well as my other books, including Billionaire in Disguise which has a character from this book in it. Your opinion and support matters, so I would greatly appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. Without dedicated readers, a storyteller is lost. Thank you for investing in my stories.

  Also by Jenna Brandt

  Most Books are Free in Kindle Unlimited too!

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