Billionaires Don’t Fall For Awkward Girls by Emma Dalton

Chapter Thirty-Five

Two things happen at six o’clock the next morning. My alarm blares like it does every Saturday morning, reminding me to get my lazy butt up for work, and my phone rings.

After shutting the alarm, I notice Easton’s calling me.

“Easton?” I ask.

“Hey, sleepyhead.”

“Why are you calling me so early on a Saturday?”

“Want go somewhere with me today?”

I rub my forehead. “What? I have work.”

“I already okayed it with your parents and cleared your schedule with Andrea. You have the entire day off.”

I sit up. “You what?”

“So do you want to come with me?”

“Where?”

I feel him smiling. “A surprise.”

“Easton, what’s going on?”

“Dani, do you want to spend the whole day with me?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“Then get dressed. I’ll pick you up in an hour.”

He hangs up, leaving me just sitting here staring at the wall. What just happened?

I get out of bed and meet Mom in the kitchen. She’s preparing pancakes for me. “Mom, did Easton speak to you?”

She smiles to herself before turning to me. “Yes.”

“What exactly did he say?”

She zips an invisible zipper across her lips.

I place my hands on my hips. “You’re choosing him over me? Some loyalty.”

Mom chuckles. “Trust me, you’ll want it to stay a surprise.” She eyes my pajamas. “Shouldn’t you get dressed?”

“But where is he taking me?”

Mom laughs again. “Just get dressed, honey!”

“I’m gonna call dad at work and make him tell me,” I mumble.

“Your boyfriend wants to do something special for you, Dani. Can’t you just enjoy it?”

“Okay,” I say as I turn around and head back to my room. I open my closet and study my clothes. How am I supposed to choose what to wear if I have no idea where we’re going? With a shrug, I settle on a casual top and jeans.

Mom places the pancakes before me, trying to hide a smile. Oh my gosh, she’s making me even more curious! What could this surprise possibly be? I gobble down my pancakes, but Mom tells me to slow down because eating fast won’t make the time move quicker. After I’m done, I pace the living room as I wait for Easton to arrive.

Five to seven, the doorbell rings. I hurry to the door and open it to find Easton’s lovely face. He smiles when he sees me and wishes me a good morning.

“A hint?” I ask. “Pretty please.”

He chuckles. “Nope.”

“Ugh.”

He brings me to the car, where Joe opens the door with a nod. Once we’re settled inside, Easton slides over and wraps his arm around me. I melt against his body, my eyes fluttering shut. “Don’t break my heart, okay?” I whisper against his chest.

He lifts my chin and looks into my eyes. “What did you say?”

I swallow as my heart hammers against my ribcage. “Last night at the dinner—”

“Please forget about the stupid dinner. That’s why I’m surprising you with the trip. Just you and me, without any of the BS of my life.”

My eyes light up. “Did you say a trip?”

He rubs his forehead. “Darn it.”

“Where are we going?”

“No way. I already said enough.”

I lower my head back on his chest. “What about Bianca, Easton?”

He strokes my hair. “I already told you I don’t care about her.”

“But your parents—”

“I’m done with them controlling my life. They’ve been doing it since the day I was born.”

“They’ll never accept me.”

“They don’t need to. I just need to accept you. And I have.”

I look up at him and see how sincere his eyes are. I stretch my lips to place a kiss on his cheek, then snuggle up to his chest. “You’re almost as comfy as my gorilla.”

“Do I have competition?”

“Yep.”

He chuckles.

“So where are we going again?”

“Nice try.”

I must have dozed off during the ride because the next thing I know, Easton is shaking me. “Dani, we’re here.”

My eyes pop open to find us at the airport. “The airport?” I ask. “I guess this is a long trip?”

“Is everything ready?” Easton asks Joe once we’re out of the car.

“Everything is set. Have a good time,” he wishes us both.

He doesn’t lead me through the airport doors, but to a different area, where a single plane is parked.

“Where are we?” I ask as my eyes survey the area “Where is everyone?”

“We’re everyone,” he informs me with a grin.

“You mean…?”

He nods. “That’s my family’s private jet. Well, one of our jets. We have three.”

My jaw falls open. “Three?”

“Well, two. My mom sold it and will buy a more luxurious one.”

“Easton…”

He glances at me. “Yeah?”

“Are we taking a private jet to the mystery place?”

He nods.

“But…but…”

“Dani.” He moves closer and closes his arms around me, tugging me to his chest. “I know last night sucked. I couldn’t stand just sitting there while my parents and the Burrells…” He shakes his head. “I want to forget about it, and I want you to forget about it too. That’s why I arranged this whole thing.”

“What whole thing?”

“Are you trying to trap me?”

“Yes. It’s obviously not working.”

He laughs as he shakes his head. “I just want you to see how much you mean to me.”

“You don’t have to take me to Paris to do that.”

“It’s not Paris. We have school on Monday.”

“So it’s domestic?”

“Dani!”

“So close.”

He laughs again. “I’m sorry my parents suck. I promise I won’t bring you to any more of those dinners.”

“I don’t mind,” I say with a shrug. “I just want to know how you feel.”

He stares deeply into my eyes. “You know how I feel, don’t you?”

I touch his silky hair. “I think I do.”

“Good.” He kisses me and then takes my hand. “Let’s head to our destination.”

We get on the plane, where the flight attendants greet us. I almost faint when I see the interior of the plane. It doesn’t look like a plane, it looks like a house! Sure I’ve seen this stuff in movies, but to stand in an actual private jet? Holy smokes.

Easton laughs from beside me. “I love seeing your expression. You look at everything with such awe and wonder. I love the way you see the world.”

My cheeks heat up. “Thanks. The world is an amazing place.”

“Have you ever left Georgia?” he asks as he settles down on one of the comfy, white seats. “Ever been on a plane?”

“I’ve never left Edenbury on a plane. Just on a bus once when I was little. We visited Orlando.”

“Nice.” He looks relieved, as though worried I might have visited this mystery place before.

I narrow my eyes at him, trying to gather as much information as possible. But dang, the guy’s a closed book.

The pilot leaves the cockpit and hugs Easton. Easton gestures to me. “This is my girlfriend, Dani. Dani, this is our pilot, Beverly.”

“Hello,” I say as I shake her hand. “How long is the flight?”

The pilot laughs. “I think she’s trying to squeeze the destination out of me, Easton.”

“Oh my gosh, does everyone know where we’re going besides for me?”

“Well, she is the pilot,” Easton says.

Beverly winks. “You’ve got a great boyfriend there, Dani. Don’t worry, guys. The weather is great and everything looks in order. Please fasten your seatbelts so we can be on our way.”

I’m in a daze as I sit down and buckle up. How is this my life right now? On a private jet to a mystery location?

“I don’t even know what my parents see in her,” Easton murmurs.

I look at him and find him staring at me. “What?”

He shakes his head. “Sorry. I just don’t understand what my parents can possibly see in Bianca after meeting you.”

“Um, someone rich? Someone who will unite your families with a successful merge?”

Easton frowns. “They shouldn’t have to sacrifice their kids to do that. Not after they had to endure the same fate.”

“I’m sure your parents have grown to love each other over the years.”

He doesn’t say anything.

Beverly announces that we’re about to take off and then we’re airborne! Oh my gosh, I can’t believe it’s my first time on a plane, and I’m sharing it with Easton. The next few minutes, I just gush and ooh and ahh at how amazing everything looks from up here. Then a flight attendant offers us some snacks. Easton and I talk about everything, then we undo our belts and snuggle in each other’s arms, stealing kisses every so often. Everything I was worried about last night flies out the window. This is where I want to be, with Easton as my guy. I’ve never been so sure about anything before.

“Please buckle up,” Beverly’s voice carries over the speaker. “We’re about to make our descent.”

“Already?” I ask as I slide away from Easton and buckle up. “We’ve only been flying for about two hours.”

Easton presses his lips together. This means we couldn’t have traveled too far, not to the west coast. It’s not until I see tall skyscrapers that it clicks. I gape at Easton. “Are we in…New York City?”

He doesn’t say anything, just smiles.

I squint at the window as we descend. “Holy crap, we are! I recognize those buildings when I stalk the internet. I’ve always imagined what it would be like to actually be in New York City. Oh my gosh.” Tears fill my eyes. “I’ve wanted to come here for so long.”

“I know,” Easton says softly. “I asked your mom last night where is the one place you really want to visit. She told me it’s New York City.”

“I always thought I’d come here after I graduate college and audition for Broadway. Easton…” I stretch my arms over him for a hug, but my belt gets in the way. “Stupid belt.”

As soon as we land and get the green light, I unclasp my belt and throw myself into his arms, giving him a passionate kiss on the lips. “You’re amazing,” I whisper against his lips.

“You deserve it,” he whispers back.

“What are we going to do here?” I ask.

“A little bird told me one of your favorite musicals is 42nd Street.”

My eyes nearly shoot off my face. “We’re going to see a Broadway show? Did you say 42nd Street?”

“That amongst other things.”

“Easton…”

“I know.” He winks. “I’m amazing.”

I laugh and snuggle up in his arms again. We remain like that until Beverly announces we can depart the plane.

A car is waiting for us as soon as we get off. Easton instructs the driver to take us to Times Square. Oh my gosh, Times Square! I’ve seen many pictures and videos and I dreamed of coming here.

“Do you come here often?” I ask Easton.

“At least once a year.”

The drive from the airport in Queens to Times Square takes about an hour. When I finally see large screens and bright lights, I nearly jump out of my seat. “I can’t believe I’m actually here.”

Easton closes his arms around me. “I love making your dreams come true.”

We spend the entire morning in Times Square, seeing the sights, shopping, snapping pictures, and having a good time. Easton has a hard time pulling me away from all the theaters. I want to take a picture in front of every single one.

“Come on,” he complains. “I’m hungry.”

“Do we have a reservation at a restaurant?” I ask.

“I don’t need reservations.”

“Oh. Okay. Just a few more pictures.”

“You’re killing me, Wood.”

I lift my head high. “It’s my present. Ooh, look over there! It’s the Wicked theater.”

After I snap a few pictures and share them with my parents and friends, I decide to take my boyfriend out of his misery. He calls the driver and he takes us to this super fancy restaurant. Easton tells them he’s a Knight, and we’re automatically given one of the best tables in the restaurant. It has a view of the entire city.

“Wow,” I breathe as I gulp down my Coke. “I could get used to this.”

“I wish it was all glamour,” he says. “But I hope you’ll only see this part of my life.”

“I want to see all parts of your life, Easton.”

He smiles as he squeezes my hand. “And I want to be part of all of yours.”

The meal is delicious. After we’re done, we get back in the car and Easton shows me his favorite places in the city, and we take a stroll in Central Park. We sneak in kisses practically all day too. I video chat with my mom to update her on what’s going on.

“Thanks so much for letting me go,” I tell her. “This is amazing.”

“Your boyfriend is the amazing one,” Mom says as she smiles at Easton.

I grin at him. “He definitely is.”

He waves his hand. “I’m just sharing my world with my girlfriend. I’ll try to have her home before midnight, Vivian.”

“That’s all right,” Mom says. “I hear New York City is alive at night. You can stay as long as you wish.”

My eyes pop wide open. “Mom, we can’t sleep here!” I hiss.

Easton laughs. “I don’t think she means that. But I’ll try to have her home before sunrise,” he promises her.

“I want you to have a good time, Dani. You’ve been working so hard and you can use this mini-vacation.”

“Thanks, Mom.” We hang up.

Easton pulls out his phone to check the time. “Time for 42nd Street.”

“I’ve seen the movie and have always been dying to see the live show.” I fling my arms around him. “Thank you so much, Easton.”

The driver picks us up and takes us to the theater. I can’t stop gushing and marveling at everything, imagining what it would be like to be on such a stage one day.

“You’re cute, you know that?” Easton says with a grin.

“Well, if you don’t count how awkward I am.”

He shakes his head. “That’s what made me first interested in you.”

I raise my brow. “Huh?”

“I once stopped by the studio with Barrington to pick up Bailey. I saw you dancing alone in one of the rooms. You were dancing like a broken robot and singing how you were going to be on Broadway and how you were going to make millions and be famous.”

My cheeks boil as my mouth falls open. “You…you…”

He chuckles. “Yeah, I saw it all. And I remember thinking how nice it must be to just let go and be yourself. Ever since that day…well, I guess I was interested in you. I think I might have liked you even before then, but that pushed me over the edge.”

I turn away from him, my cheeks still boiling.

“Are you embarrassed?” he asks.

“A little.”

“Don’t be. You should love everything about yourself. Because you’re perfect just the way you are.”

My mouth opens but no words come out. I clear my throat. “That’s so sweet.”

“It’s the truth.”

“I do accept everything about myself. Well, mostly. The awkwardness screws up my life sometimes.”

He gazes into my eyes. “I think it just makes it better.” He’s about to bend forward and kiss me, but a voice announces that the show is about to begin and we should shut our cell phones. I scramble to close mine, but my fingers are a bit too shaky and the phone falls on my lap. “Shoot. I’m not ready! Couldn’t they ask this like five minutes ago?” I grumble as the lights dim.

He laughs. “You definitely make my life more interesting and exciting. And full of fun.”

I freeze and look at him. “I feel the same way about you.”

He nods at my lap. “Your phone.”

“Crap.” I quickly shut it and slip it into my pocket. And then we sit back and enjoy one of the most amazing musicals in the world.

***

“It was incredible!” I gush as we leave the theater with the rest of the crowd, me clutching a bag full of goodies. Easton wanted to buy me every item in the store, but I forced him to get a hold of himself. I have T-shirts for myself and my friends, a mug for Mom, a keychain for dad, and the cast recording for me. “I memorized the dance numbers since I was a kid, but seeing it live? Oh my gosh.”

“I’m guessing you liked it?” he says with a teasing smile.

“I loved it! I wish I could see every Broadway show.”

“That can be arranged.”

I stop and stare at him. “I was kidding.”

“I wasn’t.”

“You’re going to spoil me.”

“You deserve to be spoiled.”

“But I don’t have anything to give you in return. You’ve done so much for me and my family and—”

He steps forward and places his hands on my waist, drawing me close to his body. “I don’t need anything from you. It’s enough just to have you.”

We make out for a few minutes before reluctantly pulling apart. It’s close to midnight, but the city is as alive as if it’s daytime.

“Time to say goodbye to Manhattan and head home?” I say.

He shakes his head. “Not yet. There’s still one more place I want to take you to.”

He calls the driver and we head to our next destination, a teen club. It’s very hip and modern, with flashy lights and killer music. Easton and I find a corner and start to dance. I completely let loose, not caring if I’m making a total fool of myself. Easton laughs and imitates my moves, and soon some of the other dancers are copying us as well.

And then the music slows down. Easton wraps his arms around my middle and brings me close to his chest. We sway to the song, staring into each other’s eyes and never looking away once.

“Today was spectacular,” I tell him. “Thank you.”

“I want to share many more spectacular days with you.”

I press my face to his chest. “Away from the real world. Away from the stress.”

“Away from people who tell you what to do and how to live,” he murmurs. “Who to love.”

His heart thumps wildly. It matches my beating heart. We stay in each other arms until 2 am, even after the music switches to a fast beat.