Billion Dollar Mistake: An opposites attract billionaire romance: (The Lincolns Book 1)

Chapter 12

We enter the sleek, high tech Madison Square facility, which is buzzing with eager fans. The smell of buttery, slightly nutty popcorn and the sharp, tangy note of cheese waft through the air. Around the sides of the hall are the merchandise stalls, so I purchase the memorabilia T-shirts. Jeremy is on his second work call, so I take in the facility. Memories flood me. I loved it when my dad and I came here together to watch a fight. It’s the only time I’ve ever seen one in person. Those memories fill me with happiness. We had the best night and our fighter won.

Jeremy is talking to a suited gentleman with sandy blond hair. He nods and turns. Jeremy grabs my hand, and we follow.

The man points at our seats.

I gasp when I take in the seats illuminated by bright theatre lights. “These are ours?”

I stare at the two empty ones in Row A. The front. My heart is beating so hard. This is unbelievable.

“Yes. Come,” he says.

We take our seats. Jeremy checks his watch.

“When does it start?” I ask.

“Soon.”

I frown and as I sit there and minutes pass, no one else enters.

A hard lump forms in my stomach. Something feels off.

“What’s going on?” I breathe.

His gaze leaves mine at the sound of footsteps. “You’ll see in one minute.”

A man in all black athletic wear comes closer, and when his face hits the light, I feel lightheaded.

It’s Eddie Cus.

“What’s he doing here?” I ask.

“He’s training you.”

He organized a professional boxing coach to train me?

He trains champions. This is sure to be embarrassing. But I push it aside and know it’s only me and Jeremy in here with Eddie. There’s no point in being self-conscious; it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

I can’t wait to tell my dad.

Eddie approaches us. We stand. Jeremy shakes his hand and I follow. We exchange hellos.

Jeremy turns toward me, his gaze unwavering. “Why don’t you get changed?”

“But I don’t–” I begin, but the words catch in my throat when he holds out a brand-new gym bag.

“Inside is a change of clothes and gloves.”

The bag dangles between us, a silent invitation and a challenge, leaving me breathless and caught off guard.

I take the bag, our fingers brushing against the cool fabric. My mouth is parted, trying to suck in deep breaths, because the surprise has overwhelmed me.

Inside the changing room, I open the bag to find a pair of custom-made gloves initialled with gold NL letters.

I pull out the stylish athletic wear. I hesitate but not for long because I don’t want Jeremy coming in here, or worse, Eddie.

I put on the black tights and green top that feel like butter against my skin. I tie my hair up but leave my bangs out because I don’t have pins.

I head out a little shaky, but as soon as Jeremy spots me, he licks his lips and gives me a wolfish grin.

He likes this outfit.

My liners and gloves are already on.

“I’m ready.”

“You are.” He winks.

He guides me up into the center of the ring, where Eddie stands holding pads and a harsh frown.

Jeremy leaves the ring and I follow his steps until I see him take a seat in one of our seats.

“You ready?” Eddie asks, pulling my eyes back up.

“Yeah, Coach.”

He holds the pads up and begins instructing me on the art of boxing.

At first, it’s a friendly sparring session. But as I hit the pad and the echoes surround the ring, a new enthusiasm at the challenge hits my veins. As he shouts his next order, I follow. Hitting the leather hard. The atmosphere is electric. My usual poised and sophisticated hit transforms into a determined fighter, showing Eddie my strength and agility.

Even with Jeremy”s eyes on me, shouting or clapping, his passion doesn’t deter me.

The smell of leather and sweat fills my nostrils. It’s a display of resilience and determination.

When Eddie tells me we’re done, I straighten and catch my breath before thanking him. My body is perspiring and the skin on my knuckles is broken, but I smile at the weight that’s been lifted from my shoulders from the session.

I exit the ring and trot down the stairs, my legs shaking.

I reach Jeremy who grins at me. “You really shined out there.”

Eddie flipped a switch in me. He knew what to say and do to bring the fighter in me out.

“You think?”

“Like a star.” His fingers graze my temple and I lean into it.

“You captivated me with your intensity and focus.”

I’m high from adrenaline and his touch. I’m speechless so he speaks again.

“I wanted you to have a private session before the official weigh-in starts.”

“So we’re still seeing it?” I ask in a daze. Unable to believe I am getting more tonight.

“Yes. But head to the changing rooms and freshen up. I’ll wait here. Take your time.”

I walk into the bathroom, ready to take a nice shower. After I soak my muscles in the hot water, I step out to get changed, but to my surprise, there’s a massage therapist waiting for me, a setup arranged by Jeremy.

After the massage, I enjoy the snacks and refreshments that are laid out. Then slip back into my blue jeans, brown boots, cream knit sweater, and walk back out to find Jeremy.

I take the chair beside him, and he immediately kisses my temple. “You good?” he asks, his voice low and soothing.

“More than good.”

He nods in acknowledgment, and we settle in waiting for the weigh-in to start. The arena gradually fills with people, their movement and loud conversations create a buzz of excitement.

I steal a glance at Jeremy, noticing how his usually hard face is softer tonight. He tilts his chin down, catching me checking him out. A smirk plays on his lips, and with deliberate movement, he shifts his hand to my shoulder, pulling me closer to him.

I wonder what else tonight will bring, but disappointment floods me when he has to leave to deal with a major power outage at work.

“Is it just me, or has today just dragged on?” Dalton sighs loudly from his desk.

“Just today or do you mean this entire week?” Poppy adds.

“Tell me about it. I’ve aged about ten years since Monday,” Dalton says.

“You and me both,” Poppy says.

“So, any exciting plans this weekend?” I ask, peering over at their desks.

Poppy is slumped over hers, looking between Dalton and me. She’s warmed to me now. Less rigid. She still scares me though. “Nope. The usual. Sleeping in. Binge-watching Netflix and tackling my laundry. You?”

I wait for Dalton to answer. He’s squirming in his chair with a smirk. “I’ve got a date lined up.”

“A hot date, huh? Who’s the lucky person?” I smile.

“Well, you know how I went to Chicago, Poppy?”

Poppy raises her brows. “Mmhmm.”

“I met a cute guy named Blake in line for coffee. We got talking and hit it off but he had to go before we could finish our conversation.”

“Did he move here?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Nope.”

“You met him on a dating app.”

“Wrong again.” He smirks.

“Tell us,” I say.

He grins. “He dm’d me on Insta. Said he saw me in a pic that came up on one of his friends” stories.”

“Smooth,” Poppy says.

“We’ve been chatting back and forth for a while now,” he continues. His chair swivels side to side, and his gaze flicks between Poppy and mine.

“So he’s in town and you”re going out. Where?” I ask.

“We both love sushi. There’s a nice but casual place just off 7th Avenue near the library.”

“I know the place. Best smoked salmon I’ve ever had,” Poppy adds.

“What about you?” Poppy asks me, sitting back up in her chair.

“Just the usual. Netflix and chill with my roommates.”

Dalton smiles. “Hey, that sounds pretty good too.”

“Definitely. But I expect a full debrief about your date on Monday.”

Poppy mumbles her agreement too. But her eyes are on her computer screen. “Hey, did you just get the email about a team building workshop happening upstairs right now?”

Dalton grumbles and turns around. I swivel in my chair and open my email to find I”ve got it too.

“Another afternoon with awkward icebreaker questions,” Dalton says.

I giggle, knowing exactly what he means, but for me, it’ll be good to meet everyone since I’m still new.

“But we might be able to find out everyone”s spirit animal or most embarrassing childhood memory.”

I laugh.

“But seriously, these things are a bit of a drag, aren”t they?” Poppy murmurs.

“You know what will get us through it?” Dalton perks up, rising from his chair.

“The coffee machine on the top floor.” Poppy stands and walks toward the door, pausing at my desk. “And donuts.”

“That sounds good.” I smile as I pack up my desk.

“What on earth happened to your hands?” Poppy gasps at me as she leans over my desk.

I look at my healing knuckles, remembering the date Jeremy organized. I hold my hands out and stare at them. They look better than they did that night. I busted them open.

“Shit,” Dalton says, coming to stand beside Poppy.

I giggle. “I’m fine.”

It’s what I had to tell Jeremy too who insisted I have a doctor look at them post session.

“Looks like you were in a fight,” Poppy hisses. Her face is tight and disapproving.

“I was, but in a professional way. For a date.” I lower my hands to my lap.

“You”re telling me you went on a date and he organized this?” Poppy asks aghast. Unable to believe what she’s hearing.

“Yep,” I say proudly.

I know it’s strange to others, but to me, it was perfect.

“He organized a celebrity trainer and had boxing gloves made with my initials engraved on them.”

“That doesn’t make this any better,” she mumbles.

“You need to come to the gym with me and try it,” I say.

Poppy snorts. “You’ll never catch me boxing.”

“Come on,” I beg.

She shakes her head and pushes her bag higher up on her shoulder.

“You’re weird. It should’ve been romantic,” Dalton says.

“We are, but it helped us bond,” I reply, with a smile.

Dalton sits on the edge of my desk. “How?”

“Not only did he organize the date but hearing him cheer and encourage me from the side of the ring was something else. It definitely made our connection deeper.”

Dalton grimaces. “I would have taken a spa day.”

I laugh. “He did organize a massage therapist afterward. The hot stones and oils felt amazing.”

“Now we’re talking,” Poppy says, nodding.

“Boxing relieves so much stress. It’s better than a massage,” I say.

Dalton chuckles. “We’re going to have to agree to disagree.”

“I’ll change your minds one day,” I say as I walk around my desk and we leave the office for our team workshop.

“Good luck with that!” Dalton replies.