The Virgin and the Billionaires: The Complete Series Read Online Free PDF Page B

some other time.
    At two o’clock on Friday, Dana was sitting at her desk,
gathering her nerves to make the phone call and tell Mr. Levy exactly what she
had been rehearsing in her mind. The thought of being stuck at a table with
Alexander after her humiliating experience earlier in the week was too much.
She knew she wouldn’t be able to go through with it.
    On the other hand, she had a professional reputation to
cultivate. Shirking this dinner was a surefire way to fall into Graciela’s bad
graces (if she was to ever hear about it). The risk of flaking out seemed
overwhelming. Maybe she should just suck it up and go for her job’s sake. Mr.
Levy, at least, was a fantastic business relationship to maintain.
    Dana picked up her cell phone and put it down several times. I’m going to call him. I have to call
him. I can’t be humiliated like that. She picked up the phone, determined
this time to call the Price-Levy office and get a hold of Mr. Levy. At the very
moment she scrolled to their entry in her phone book, Dana received a text
message from a blocked number. She took a deep breath before looking at it.
     
    Hi Dana: Regrettably, Alexander
won’t be able to join us tonight. He is stuck at the office dealing with a
difficult client. I have sent for a limo to pick you up tonight at 7pm. What is
your address? -William
     
    Dana could feel the iron weights fall from her shoulders.
She responded to Mr. Levy with her home address, confident that she could now
she could enjoy her night.
     
    ***
     
    It was a good thing Dana liked nice dresses. It seemed like
her best wardrobe items had seen way more wear in LA than they ever did in
college, where sweats and t-shirts were the uniform of choice. Dana laughed
when she thought about how that look would fly in Beverly Hills.
    The bright red silk cocktail dress Dana kept at the back of
her closet seemed like the perfect outfit for a fancy Beverly Hills dinner.
Dana slipped it on after she’d emerged from the shower, powdered and perfumed
to what she hoped was some level of acceptability. A little bright red lipstick
finished the look. Maybe I can get some
approving stares in this outfit.
    She heard a horn honk outside and knew that it was time to
go. She put on a pair of strappy red heels, grabbed the small clutch she’d
switched to for the evening, and walked out to meet the limousine. Dana felt
ridiculous having an expensive limo come meet her in her bland Burbank
neighborhood, particularly in front of her even blander apartment building.
    Even more ridiculous was the sight of Mr. Levy standing
outside the door of the stretch limousine. She thought for sure that she would
be traveling alone to the restaurant and meeting Mr. Levy there. Nevertheless,
she and Mr. Levy exchanged a smile as Dana walked toward the car.
    “Dana.” Mr. Levy said, extending his hand and planting a
soft kiss on her cheek.
    Dana twitched in surprise. “Hello, Mr. Levy” was all she
could say.
    “Please, call me ‘William.’” William opened the door and
held Dana’s hand as she climbed inside. As Dana was adjusting her dress in her
seat, William followed inside and sat down next to her. The limo drove off.
    “I’m so glad that you could make it tonight,” William said
as he reached for a bottle of champagne, already uncorked. Dana found a wine
glass in the armrest to her left and allowed William to pour her a few sips.
“It’s really important that I express my gratitude to you for the new business
you’ve brought us.”
    “Clearly, I’m never one to turn down a good dinner.” The
possible self-deprecating interpretation of her remark didn’t register with
Dana until it was clear William was struggling to find an appropriate response.
    Dana blushed. “I didn’t mean it that way, but I suppose it’s
true anyway.” She paused. “Whatever. I am who I am!”
    William smiled. “Well, you’ll really enjoy this place then.
I always enjoy dinners with people who actually eat. There