The Academic Bride: Billionaire Marriage Brokers Book One Read Online Free PDF Page B

can totally handle that. “Thank you, that was very thoughtful.”
    As she handed over her credit card to pay for the morning, she chewed at her lip.
    Trish gave her a knowing smile. “That’s what the money’s there for. Don’t fret.” She picked up the basket, all wrapped and tied with a teal ribbon, and headed for the door where their limo waited out front. “Besides, we’re about to set that card on fire.” She grinned mischievously as she handed the basket to the driver who moved to put it in the trunk.
    Janel sighed. She hoped Mr. Ryburn’s love language, or “language of appreciation” as she preferred to call it, wasn’t gift giving. If he intended to express his appreciation by showering her with flowers, jewelry, or shopping trips, he’d stress her out.
    She chewed her lip again. What if his language was gifts and she’d be required to buy him something?! She had no idea what men wanted. Janel slid into the limo, crossed her legs, and folded her arms. No matter how many times she told herself this was just a job, it felt like a lie. She did the only thing she knew how to do when she was worried: she pulled out her book and studied, determined to pass this test and get the money for the dig if it killed her.

Chapter 6
     
    As Janel exited BMB’s elevator the next morning, she tugged at her new teal leather jacket. The short heel on the brown, calf-high boots clicked against the tile, causing Tina to turn in her direction. Janel’s cheeks flushed.
    Tina’s eyes widened. “Wowza!”
    Pressing her hands to her cheeks, Janel whispered, “It’s too much.”
    Trish ! This was all Trish’s fault. She’d pulled this outfit together in a small boutique when Janel was too worn out to put up a fuss. A teal leather jacket— for the love ! When she’d dressed this morning, she’d felt like a million bucks. Now, waiting to meet a man who really was worth a billion bucks (or more), she felt like an imposter. Panic seized her chest and she let out a small squeak.
    Tina rushed around the desk and wrapped Janel in a warm embrace. “It’s going to be okay.”
    Janel managed to ask, “Is he here?”
    Tina pulled back. She kept a tight grip on Janel’s upper arms, as if her job was to keep prospective brides from running away.
    Janel looked around. She couldn’t find the entrance to the stairwell, and since the elevator shut behind her and rushed off to another floor, it wasn’t like she had anywhere to go or hide.
    “He’s waiting in Pamela’s office. Listen, if you need a minute, I can bring you a bottled water or something and you can wait here until you’re ready.”
    Janel shook her head, releasing the floral smell of some product she’d run through her hair that morning. Lavender. The deep perfume soothed her nerves. She looked down the hall.
    “No, I’m ready.” As ready as I’m going to be. Just rip off that Band-Aid and be done with it.
    Tina let go of Janel’s arms, and Janel’s stomach jerked. She could use a friendly face in the room. “Can you bring me water anyway? My mouth is really dry this morning.”
    “Sure thing. Just go on in and I’ll be right behind you.”
    “Thank you.”
    Pressing her lips together to make sure she hadn’t licked away her lip gloss, Janel turned to face her future. Whatever happened in this meeting would mean the difference between achieving her lifelong goal and having to erase the last two years of research and start over.
    She knocked lightly on the cracked door before pushing it all the way open and waiting to be invited in.
     
    ***
     
    Nick’s leg bounced as he waited in Pamela’s office. He still had a hard time believing he was engaged. It was a good thing Reggie was a master barber, because Nick’s hands weren’t steady enough to hold a razor today.
    Pamela’s phone beeped. “Janel is on her way back,” she said, nodding toward the door as there was a small knock.
    Nick stood to meet his bride and almost fell back into his seat at