Battling the Billionaire Read online

  “Besides,” Devon said, “after the first date I didn’t need anyone to tell me I needed you in my life. I didn’t think I had a chance of making it happen, but I knew I needed you. And I was right.”

  Jenna’s breath caught.

  “I had everything money could buy.” Devon’s head tilted toward the restaurant. “But I wasn’t happy. You made my dreams come true.” He reached out and took her hands in his. “I’d like the chance to do the same for you.”

  When he took another step, Jenna’s purse fell to the ground. Devon’s arms wrapped around her, and she finally gave in, sliding her hand across his rough jaw until her fingers clutched his hair. His lips brushed across hers, and she inhaled, pulling him closer. Flashes fired, and she closed her eyes, ignoring them as she lost herself in his kiss.

  Epilogue

  Stan opened Jenna’s door, and she stepped out of the limo. Devon had asked to meet her at the crêpe shop for her birthday dinner, and it was an indulgence she couldn’t say no to.

  As she walked down the sidewalk, she caught side of Tali heading in the other direction.

  “Tali!” Jenna waved. Tali glanced at her, then cursed under her breath.

  “It’s nice to see you, too,” Jenna said.

  A smile quickly spread over Tali’s face as she hurried over, grabbing Jenna’s hands. “Oh, no, it wasn’t—I was hoping I’d beat you here.”

  “For what? Did Devon call you?” She looked at her suspiciously. Devon had agreed not to do anything over-the-top for her birthday. What had he planned?

  Tali’s face scrunched up in frustration again. Before she could respond, a drumbeat filled the street. Jenna looked at Tali, who smiled again, a mischievous gleam lighting her eyes. She stepped away from Jenna, and began rocking her hips to the song, which Jenna recognized from one of their favorite Bollywood movies.

  As Tali raised her arms, mincing with delicate steps to the beat, Gertie appeared in a bright pink sari. She grinned as she danced by Tali’s side, her dramatic movements making up for what she lacked in grace. As Jenna stared, her jaw hanging open, Anita joined them. Tears stung Jenna’s eyes as she watched her mother dance, a sight she never would have believed possible just a few months ago.

  Jenna laughed, clapping her hands together and moving her own hips. Watching her mother dance again was the perfect birthday gift, even if a flash mob definitely qualified as over-the-top. Her eyes scanned the street as she searched for Devon. Instead, she spotted Mrs. Bevins, Reuben, and a young woman she could only assume was Lucy, judging by the way Reuben gripped her hand. They joined the dance, rocking from side to side and laughing at their missteps.

  There was a lull in the song, and the dancers parted. Devon stepped in, and as the beat picked up again he danced with them, shaking his hips and gracefully waving his arms. He smiled at Jenna, then stepped forward, pulling her in to join them.

  Jenna laughed. “I thought you didn’t dance.”

  He shrugged, stopping in the middle of the throng. “It was on our someday list.”

  She nodded, remembering their conversation in Anita’s kitchen.

  “But if I remember correctly, there were a few more things on that list,” he said, “and I promised to make all of your dreams come true.”

  Devon pulled something out of his suit pocket. Jenna gasped, when he showed her two tickets to Agra, India.

  “I thought we might as well check the Taj Mahal off our list.”

  Jenna threw her arms around Devon, kissing him on the cheek.

  “I thought it would make as good a first stop on a honeymoon as any.” Devon pulled back, an anxious look flickering in his eyes. “The tickets are yours either way, but will you marry me?”

  He pulled a box out of his pocket and held it out to Jenna. She opened it, finding a ring inside, encrusted with red rubies. A tiny note read, “For Winnifred, the girl with the red shoes.”

  Jenna let Devon slide the ring onto her finger. She held a hand over her mouth, her eyes traveling over to her friends and her mother, who watched her, waiting for her answer. Then she looked at Devon, nodding her head as she threw her arms around his neck. He picked her up, spinning her around.

  “You promised nothing over-the-top,” she said, laughing.

  “For as long as you dedicate your life to helping other people, I’m going to dedicate mine to taking care of you. You may as well get used to it,” he said. His lips pressed against hers, drawing her in, and making her completely forget her objections.

  She pulled back just long enough to whisper, “I think I could.”

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  If you liked Battling the Billionaire, you might also like Lovers’ Quarrel[JR1], by Kate Ashgrove