Holly surprised herself at her restraint as she resisted.
“Well, enjoy your date,” she called after him as William started to walk backwards down the path. He waved at her with a crooked smile. “But not too much! Don’t forget about me now.”
Stop talking Holly. Stop it.
She watched him, roses in her arms, as he turned and climbed into a car. Then her heart squeezed as she watched the car join the steady flow of traffic.
“I’ve decided to forgive you both,” Holly announced as she banged the door open and re-entered the apartment. Josie and Thatcher were seated on the couch, holding hands. They looked up at her with identical looks of surprise.
“What for?” Thatcher asked slowly. Holly crossed her arms.
“For creeping around behind my back. You should have just come out and told me.”
Josie cocked her head to the side but didn’t argue. Satisfied, Holly cleared her throat, ready to face the awkwardness head on.
“So, you two are a couple now? Are you moving to Paris with Thatcher?” Holly asked Josie, who averted her eyes.
“I haven’t decided yet,” she said in a small voice.
That means yes.
Holly whistled. It was a blow. First, she was losing Thatcher and now her roommate was moving away as well. She’d already been publicly humiliated on camera, what else could go wrong?
She kicked the door closed and tossed the flowers in the sink. Thatcher jumped to his feet.
“What’s up with you?” he asked. Josie joined him.
“We can’t help but notice you’ve been acting… odd.”
Holly’s eyes smarted as she bit her lip.
“Look, I get it. Everything isn’t about me. And I’m happy that you two have found… whatever it is you’ve found.” Holly’s stomach churned as she chewed her lip. “But William is going on a date with that perfect woman today and I want to punch something. So, can we please just pretend everything is normal and hang out?”
Josie and Thatcher became two nodding dogs as they made noises of agreement.
“What do you want to do? We could go for a run?” Josie offered. Thatcher shot her a look.
“Go for a run?” he repeated, his face twisted. Josie crossed her arms and frowned at him. Holly’s spirits lifted as she listened to the two of them argue about what to do for the day.
“How about we order food in and have a movie marathon?” she suggested. Thatcher pointed at her and clicked his tongue.
“Now that sounds like a plan.”
Josie and Thatcher had just descended into a full-blown argument over which movie to start with first when Holly’s phone rang from her bedroom. She dashed to it and answered the call.
“Hello? Am I speaking with Holly Barratt?”
Holly gulped at the woman’s voice, recognizing it immediately.
“Yes,” she said, in a high-pitched tone.
“It’s Emily Stewart. From Find My Companion. Are you available to come to my office today? We need to talk.”
Holly did not like the sound of that.
Chapter Eleven
Emily Stewart sat behind a large white desk, poised and perfectly still as Holly entered the office. Behind Emily was a wall of windows overlooking the city. She looked powerful. Confident. And her eyes were laser-focused on Holly.
“Thank you for coming in,” she said, like a head teacher addressing a badly-behaved student.
“Thanks for inviting me,” Holly replied, taking a seat.
There was a heavy silence and Holly fiddled with the stitching on her purse as she rolled her ankles and waited. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Emily spoke.
“Well?”
Holly fidgeted in her seat.
“Sorry? I don’t know what––”
“How did your date with William Harrington go?” Emily threw her hands in the air and rolled her eyes. Holly gave a nervous laugh and played with her hair.
Oh. I’m not in trouble.
“He’s wonderful. I think we get on really well and I’d love to get to know him more. That’s for sure.”
Emily nodded along and hummed. Then she scribbled on her notepad and set her pen down with a thump.
“Well, in that case. You’ll be happy to know William only had positive things to say about you.”
Holly could not hide the joy welling in her chest, it burst out in the form of a giant grin taking over her whole face. Emily’s eyes sparkled as she studied Holly.
“Now, don’t get your hopes up too much. This is an unusual case,” she continued, turning serious again. “Firstly, you’re all wrong from William. I never let two people meet if they score below sixty-five percent. And you’re now part of the reality show Billionaire Bachelors.”
“I’m so sorry about that. I really had no idea––” Holly began, but Emily waved a hand and tutted.
“I know, I know. It is what it is,” she said, shaking her head. “But the producers want this process streamlined. For the show, you see. If I was in charge, I would recommend several more dates before William had to make a choice.” Emily sighed and rolled her eyes. “But they want this tied up tonight. So, we’re having a party downstairs. Come in your very best gown and bring your A-game. Because William is choosing his girlfriend… tonight.”
Holly gasped. So soon? They had barely had any time together.
“For what it’s worth, Estelle is going to be there. And I’m sure you’ve heard of her,” Emily said, her eyes glinting. She interlocked her fingers and rested her chin on her hands. Holly couldn’t breathe for excitement. Maybe she’d finally meet Estelle. As a model, and not a server this time.
“Why is Estelle coming to the party?” Holly asked. Emily looked at her incredulously before she threw her head back and laughed.
“You’re not serious?” she said between breaths. “Where there are cameras, you’ll find Estelle. And besides… she wants to make sure her son chooses the right woman, obviously.”
Holly pressed her lips together and stared at Emily, stunned.
“Son?”
Emily stopped laughing.
“Good grief. Didn’t you know? Estelle Harrington… is William’s mother.”
Holly blinked several times, her head spinning and stars flying across
