Dating Disaster with a Billionaire (Blue Ridge Mountain Billionaires, #1)

by Lynx, Elizabeth

  “Here.” She handed over a cloth napkin as we walked down the hall.

  “Do I look that bad?”

  Who picked the greenhouse as a spot for me to wait inside? That person needed to be fired.

  “Uh, how about we make a detour to the ladies' room to freshen up?”

  She was being polite. I nodded as I must’ve looked a mess.

  Sure enough, once we found the restroom on the main floor, I took one look at myself and gasped in horror.

  “Why didn’t the cameraman say I looked like the clown from It?”

  Even my hair had clumped up into three sections like that nightmare clown.

  “You know guys. It’s like pulling teeth to get them to tell you the truth.”

  She was so right. I thought about James and how long it took him to tell me the truth about his life. It made me wonder . . . what else was he keeping from me?

  I shook my head and wiped up my face as much as I could. Now wasn’t the time to worry about the guy who held my heart in his hands. Now was the time to worry about the contest that held the future of my coffee shop in its hands.

  Things were going well right now with Hard Grind. Business had picked up, but I knew once this contest was over, so were our new customers. They’d slowly trickle away, and I’d be back to struggling to get people to buy our coffee.

  If I had the coffee they sold here, I knew business would pick up. An idea percolated in my head as I turned to Laura.

  “Do you know who Blue Bean buys their coffee from?”

  “I remember Rock mentioning the name.” She tapped her chin and thought for a moment. “Some place up in Maine. Fire something. I’ll ask. Why?”

  “Just something I’m curious about. I own the Hard Grind in town, so I’m a bit of a coffee nerd.”

  Her green eyes widened. “I love that place. I used to go there all the time with my sister before she had her baby. Loved the older gentleman behind the counter. He was always nice to us and gave us a cookie to share for free. Told us to always stay alert because of all the assholes out there. Does he still work there?”

  I chuckled and shook my head. “That’s my dad. No, he retired. I run the business now.”

  Laura looked me up and down. There was a faraway look in her eyes. Finally, she said, “Family. That’s important. I’m glad you are helping.”

  I shrugged. “He’s my dad, and I love him. That coffee shop was like another child to him. He can’t get around like he used to, so I want to be there for him. Show him that me and the shop will always be there. That’s why I entered the contest.”

  Her head jerked back. “What does going on a date with a billionaire have to do with being there for your dad?”

  “I need the money for the shop. I don’t have access to billions of dollars or fancy coffee like this place.” I waved around the room. Even the bathroom looked like a golden palace. “I need to find other ways to bring in customers. That money will help me figure out something unique. A new marketing campaign or top-notch pastries. Something to draw people in. At least, I hope so.”

  Laura opened her arms and waved me close. “Come here, you amazing woman.”

  I was hesitant but stepped closer. Before I could ask what this was about, she pulled me into her arms. It surprised me that Laura gave an amazing hug. If hugs were rated on a scale of one to ten, she’d be a nine.

  “Thank you?” I said it more as a question than a statement.

  She pulled me back and held me at arm's length. I noticed Laura had been crying.

  “It’s just a coffee shop. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

  I wondered if she knew I didn’t win and felt bad for me.

  “No, it’s your family. And family comes first. Sorry, I haven’t been sleeping much. I’ve been babysitting my nephew the past few days and have had very little sleep.”

  “Babies are a handful,” I added awkwardly. I had no idea how to respond. “Um, should we be going somewhere for the contest?”

  Laura gasped and wiped at her tears. “Oh right. Crap. I hope we're not too late. Let’s go.”

  She pushed her hands in my hair and tried to tame the mess. “That’s better. Now let’s go.” She grabbed my hand, tugging me toward the door.

  I caught a quick glance at my reflection in the mirror before we left the bathroom. I cleaned my makeup, but I looked like I belonged on an episode of the eighties version of Dynasty.

  My heart beat loudly in my chest. I tried to hold a smile on my face, but it kept slipping. What if I didn’t win? All this work and keeping James a secret for nothing.

  The popularity of the show would fade and so would the customers at the café. Now I knew why James wanted to run away and live off the land. The entertainment business was nerve-wracking.

  It would kill me to sell Hard Grind, and I couldn’t imagine what it would do to my father, but it might come to that.

  Laura stopped in front of a giant curtain. “Here we are.”

  I barely remembered the tour of the resort all the contestants had several weeks ago, and I was unsure where we were. “Do I just walk in?”

  I felt out of place and uncertain of what to do next. My stomach flip-flopped, and maybe it was a good thing that I wouldn’t be having that dinner tonight.

  “No, just stand there. The curtain will be pulled back when it’s time.”

  “Time for what?” I called after her, but she had moved away and turned a corner. I was alone, listening to the banging of my heart in my ears.

  My nose took that moment to itch. I wiggled it hoping that would help, but I think it made it worse. Or it just felt worse.

  I eased closer to the curtain to listen for any movement. Nothing. I took a chance, lifted my hand, and scratched away at the edge of my nostril.

  Sweet relief was brief as the curtain was suddenly flung open, and a bright light hit my face. I winced and moved my hand from my nose to my eyes, shielding my gaze.

  “Congratulations, Marika!” I heard a deep voice come from the light.

  As my eyes adjusted, I lowered my hand. Behind the curtain was the entrance to the Blue Chip restaurant.

  The large crystal chandelier caught my eye. It was beautiful. Refined and stately. Like everything in this room from the dark wood paneling to the gorgeous garden that lay on the other side of the wall of windows. The most stately of all, Rock, the owner, stood in the center of the room with an enormous smile.

  It took a few seconds, but I finally realized that I had won. My smile was huge as I stepped forward, the itch on my nose forgotten as I glanced around the room.

  There were two cameras and several people dressed up. I recognized Steele Carson and Coleman McEwan from when all the contestants first met.

  “Did I win?”

  Rock nodded as he waved me closer. Laura stood toward the back and gave me a thumbs up. Still stunned, I nodded at her.

  Once I moved next to Rock, I looked up and noticed the resemblance to James. They looked so much alike, but Rock was a little taller and more muscular.

  My smile faltered as a thought popped into my head. He might be the billionaire. I was told that I might have to ham it up for the camera if I won. Make it appear like I was attracted to the billionaire. And I was fine with that, but not with James’s brother. That was too creepy.

  Rock turned to me and said, “You must be surprised.”

  The cameramen moved closer with their equipment.

  “Yes. I didn’t think I would win.”

  “The viewers on VidTube decided that you should win the one hundred thousand dollars. And a date with a billionaire.”

  A woman with short black hair walked over with an oversized check, shoving it at me. I stumbled but luckily didn’t fall. Grabbing the check, I held it up to the camera.

  “Lower it. You’re blocking your face,” Rock whispered to me from behind the camera.

  “Oh, right. Sorry.” I lowered it and smiled.

  As quickly as I received the check, she yanked it ou
t of my hands.

  “Now is the time everyone has been waiting for. Who is the billionaire that you will dine with tonight?”

  Two cameras moved around us, closer and then farther away. I suspected I had to stay still as they got their shots. This entire thing felt weird. Rock said nothing for a full minute. I was discovering show business was a lot of waiting around while other people created the magic.

  “Without further ado, I give you . . . the billionaire.” He waved his hand out, and the cameras moved away from us.

  I looked around and noticed that Coleman and Steele were gone. No one was here but me, Rock, and the cameramen.

  A side door opened, and in walked Steele. The cameras were all over him. He was the billionaire. One cameraman turned and ran up to me, filming my reaction.

  I acted as if going out on a date with Steele was the best thing since chocolate-covered coffee beans. Coleman mentioned to all the contestants that if we won to act like the billionaire was your dream date.

  I gasped and threw my hands over my mouth. When I moved my hands away, I made sure I had a stellar grin on my face.

  Steele walked right up to me and opened his mouth to say something, but someone interrupted us.

  “Wait!” James came running in the room, and I kept smiling like an idiot because I thought this was all part of the show.

  When I glanced up at Rock and Steele, they both seemed confused and angry. Steele was confused, and Rock looked as if he was about to commit murder.

  Wait . . .was James not supposed to be here?

  Chapter 22

  JAMES

  Noticing the intense hatred in my brother’s eyes as I ran into the restaurant had me wondering if ruining his contest was the best way to film my latest Joke’in James video.

  As angry as Rock was, I wondered if all this was worth it. Marika was smiling, so maybe it was worth disrupting the taping. I shrugged my shoulders and kept up with my plan with the knowledge that the cameras I had hidden in the restaurant were capturing everything.

  Besides, Rock could always film it again and post the revised video. It’s not as if this were live.

  “Hey, everyone. We have a very surprise guest with us today, my brother James.” Rock could barely get the words out through his tight jaw.

  “That’s right, I am a surprise. The surprise billionaire!” I pointed at myself and looked straight into one camera.

  “Ha, ha!” Rock’s laugh was cartoonishly fake. “Steele Carson from the VidTube channel, Steele Report, is the billionaire.”

  I shook my head. “I believe I was the very first secret billionaire. Isn’t that right, Coleman?” I raised my voice and glanced over to the door where he hovered.

  His face was red, and like a pimple, I wondered if it might pop.

  One of the cameras turned toward him. He shook his head, but when Coleman realized the cameraman would not stop filming him, he rolled into the room.

  “Steele is the billionaire.”

  “But that’s not what you told me, Coleman.” I gazed at the camera. “You see folks, Coleman McEwan is The Blue Spot’s marketing exec. He came up with the contest. And when he first told me about it, he asked me to be the billionaire.”

  “James!” Rock yelled.

  Based on everyone’s expression, it was better for me to stop talking. But that’s not what I came here to do. I came here to teach Coleman a lesson. He purposely suggested Steele kiss Marika just to get to me. But two could play that game.

  I wasn’t the type of guy to sit back and watch while my girlfriend made out with another guy for ratings. That would not happen. And after I screwed with their taping, Colman would know that he should have taken that into consideration. That he should have first asked Marika if that was okay. But he didn’t.

  “What? I’m sure the audience would love to know how all this started. The truth behind the scenes.”

  Steele leaned over and whispered in my ear, “James, this isn’t really the best time.”

  “No, Steele, I think this is the perfect time.” I didn’t bother to whisper. “Coleman wanted me for the billionaire, but there would have been a conflict of interest.”

  Marika gasped. I hated watching the confusion in her eyes disappear into fear. By all outside observers, what I was doing was terrible. I was being an asshole. Normally, I was tight-lipped on what went on behind the scenes of filming.

  But Marika didn’t realize they could just tape over all this. Redo it. No big deal. It may cost more for my brother, and I’d be happy to pay for the damage, but it was the lesson that needed to be taught. Coleman had bad-mouthed me long enough. I wasn’t about to take his shit anymore.

  “That conflict of interest was not my relation to my brother. Everyone knows that the owner of The Blue Spot is Rock, my older brother. Nothing shocking there. It’s my relationship to Marika, the winner.”

  I glanced over and winked at her. What she threw back was anger and disappointment. With the hurt in her eyes, I hesitated. She didn’t know. No one was thinking about taping it again, which sort of surprised me. I thought for sure they’d stop this and reset the scene.

  “Marika and I are dating. We’ve been dating this whole time.”

  There was silence. Even the cameramen looked at each other with confusion.

  I felt someone grab the collar of my jacket and pull me backward. I stumbled but kept up. When I turned, I saw Monty. He wouldn’t let go until we were out of the restaurant and down the hall to the kitchen. Monty’s forcefulness surprised me as he pushed me through the swinging doors into the chaos of The Blue Chip’s kitchen.

  “What the hell? James, you’ve done some stupid stuff in your time, but that was unbelievable. You ruined the contest.”

  The clattering from the cooks and staff kept up, but I noticed a few eyes turned our way. The smell of garlic and lemons permeated the air. I cleared my throat as heat crept up my neck.

  “It was a joke.” I straightened and adjusted my navy jacket and white shirt collar when he let go.

  “Oh, a joke. Well, why didn’t you say so?” Monty asked without an ounce of joy in his voice. “Why did you do that?”

  “Coleman.”

  Monty folded his ridiculously big arms. “What did Coleman do that you had to ruin everything?”

  I think the man overcompensated for his shortcomings by overly working out his arms. It was a theory I had, and I always stood by my theories.

  “He wanted Steele to kiss Marika after the dinner for ratings.” I threw my arms out because of the obviousness of it all.

  “So? It’s entertainment. You of all people should know that. Actors and actresses fake kiss all the time. It’s not real.”

  “You say it’s not real but just imagine for a moment you’ve met a woman that you’re head over heels in love with. I know that’s a stretch because of your robot kink.”

  He rolled his eyes and said, “I don’t have a thing for robots, James. Just because I work in IT doesn’t mean I get off on robots or computers.”

  “But you have thought about it.” I stared at him and noticed a slight blushing of his cheeks.

  “Can we move on, please? I can imagine meeting a woman and falling for her. A human woman.” Monty’s eyes darted to the green-tiled floor before returning to me.

  “So, you love her, and then she has to kiss another guy because someone told her to. But it’s for entertainment. For ratings. Really think about that and tell me how that makes you feel.”

  Monty’s jaw tensed. “Pissed. I’d be angry.”

  “Exactly. Now you understand.”

  “No, I really don’t. Because for me, being an adult, I would go to the person who said she should kiss someone and say I have a problem with it. And if that didn’t work, I’d go to the woman and talk to her. Here’s the thing, James, it’s not your decision to make. It’s her body. If she doesn’t want to be kissed, she will not do it. I’ve been here for the contest as long as you have, and I know Rock and Coleman would never
make Marika kiss Steele or anyone if she didn’t want to.”

  “But Steele said that—”

  “What? You’re telling me you did all this based only on what Steele said to you? Did you talk to Coleman?”

  I rubbed the back of my neck. It felt like I had talked to him, but I realized I hadn’t. That I imagined I had and punched him while doing it. The mind can be a powerful thing.

  “No, I didn’t talk to Coleman.”

  Just at that moment the man himself burst through the kitchen doors.

  “I finally got permission from your brother to kick you out. I’ve been in this wheelchair long enough to know how to use it to my advantage, James. Don’t try to run because I will get you.” I could have sworn I saw Coleman’s normally blue eyes flash red.

  I held up my hands. “Look, I made a mistake. I should have come to you first to ask about the kiss. I realize that now.” I gave a quick nod to Monty. “I’ll pay for the reshoots. Whatever needs to be done, I’ll pay for it.”

  “Reshoots? That out there,” Coleman pointed toward the doors, “that was live. Everyone on VidTube saw you ruin the contest. And you told everyone that Marika had broken the rules. And that we all knew about it!” Each word he said became louder and louder until he was shouting at me.

  Holy Fuck-aroni.

  “Wow. I, uh . . . I fucked this all up.”

  “You think?” Coleman bit back at me.

  I rubbed my face as memories of what I did kept flashing in my brain. I humiliated Steele, Coleman, Rock, and most of all, Marika.

  The only reason she entered the contest was for the money, and I screwed it up for her. She probably hated me because I hated me.

  “Marika? What’s happening with her? Does she still get the money?” I asked, ready to fall onto my knees and beg Coleman if it would help Marika.

  “She’s not the winner of the contest anymore. The comments on the video completely bashed us. Saying this entire thing was rigged. We have to clean this mess up thanks to you.”

  I ran out of the kitchen and heard Coleman come after me. “You better be leaving because, if not, I’m kicking you out, and I’ve got hard wheels on this thing that will make that process as painful as possible for you.”