Epilogue
BILLIE
One Week Later
I n my corner office, I stand at the far wall of windows. The early morning sunlight glimmers off the surrounding structures, creating a dazzling display of reflections. Bursts of yellows and pinks stretch across the skyline, painting the horizon with the hues of a new day.
In the distance, I can see the corporate office of Calloway Diamonds. It looms there—a stark reminder of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I refused. Instead, I started a clothing company with my best friend. We’re self-made billionaires. Behind my desk is Banks Advertising and Marketing firm. I refuse to look that way, knowing Asher Banks’ office is directly across mine. That asshole purchased the property just to troll me, a reminder that he exists.
My office building stands tall in the center of Lower Manhattan. Its sleek, modern design is a sharp contrast to the more traditional architecture around it. The building gives the illusion of a crystal palace, which is why it’s nicknamed that. Its shimmering surfaces evoke a sense of sophistication and luxury, just like Bellamore.
We’re one of the fastest-growing fashion companies in the world, and expansion comes with pains. In this industry, the ones who aren’t afraid to pivot and take risks survive.
Before I drown in my thoughts, I move to my desk and open the bottom drawer. I pull out the laptop and slide it into a padded envelope, along with a letter I wrote.
I open it one last time and read over my words.
Carlee,
I had Lexi let me into your apartment because she still had a key. I took your laptop. She also gave me the password, so I didn’t have to hack it. Now that those questions are answered, you and my brother needed a push in the right direction. I knew he’d save the day once this went missing. And look at you now.
I’m sorry for the stress I caused you. Please don’t hold that against me, and don’t be mad at Lexi. She just wanted what we all did—for you two to find true love.
I adore you. I’m so happy you’re a part of the family.
Billie
P.S. I don’t know who submitted and posted the blind items to the gossip site. That wasn’t me.
P.P.S. Weston, you owe me one giant favor.
After I seal the package, I call my assistant, Hannah. She enters wearing a gorgeous vintage miniskirt and fuzzy sweater.
“Please address it to Carlee Calloway,” I reply with a faint smile. “Have it delivered ASAP.”
“Will do,” she says, her heels clicking against the polished floor as she leaves.
I pick up my coffee mug and take a sip, feeling warmth spread through me for what I orchestrated. They’re together and happy—proof that love conquers all.
After chatting about Carlee with Weston, I sensed that something deeper was simmering between them. It was evident how much they cared for one another, even in secret.
Discovering Carlee was behind LuxLeaks was a surprise I’d never anticipated, but it didn’t compare to the revelation that they’d hooked up Lexi and Easton. So sly. It was as if fate had twisted their paths together so they could find love for themselves and others. It’s serendipity.
As I continue to watch the sunrise, golden light spills into my office.
My door opens, and I turn to see my best friend and business partner, Harper.
“Good morning!” she singsongs.
She gives off orange-cat energy, while I hold the temperament of a black cat. The two of us are complete opposites, but we’ve been best friends since we played New York Fashion week with our Barbie dolls.
“You’re in a good mood,” I comment, raising an eyebrow as she makes herself comfortable in one of the chairs in front of my desk.
“I had the best sex this morning. He’s a bartender. Young but gorgeous. Huuuuung,” she explains as she delicately applies a layer of lip gloss.
I glance up at the clock on the wall. Its ticking reminds me that our first meeting of the morning will start in less than fifteen minutes.
“You should try getting laid. It helps with anxiety.”
I glare at her. “I don’t have time for that. Last thing I need to do is fall in love.”
“What about a situationship? ”
I type my password into my computer and open my email. “This is my focus. I don’t need any distractions.”
She leans back in the chair, watching me. “Are you worried?”
I study her as my mind spins. “Not yet. We have passion, and that’s the most important ingredient for success. I’ll keep surviving, even if it’s out of spite.”
“I’m in this as long as you are,” she says, determined. “I’m concerned though.”
If we don’t pivot, Bellamore won’t survive through the end of the year. Everyone thinks we’re doing so well. It’s an illusion, leftovers from a prior launch’s success. Last quarter’s earnings fell short of our projections by nearly half. Confirmation that more challenges lie ahead. Competing with fast fashion in today’s economy feels like pushing against a brick wall. Instant gratification is destroying us.
A sharp knock taps against the door.
Hannah enters, her presence brisk and businesslike. “Your seven o’clock meeting has arrived.”
“Send them in,” I say. It sounds harsher than I intended.
“I need to tell you something.” Harper clears her throat.
The grin on my lips vanishes when I see him standing in the doorway, wearing a three-piece suit, looking like the Devil himself.
Asher Banks.
His light-brown eyes meet mine and nothing exists other than our hate for one another.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I hiss under my breath, the words barely escaping my lips. “No. No way. Hell will have to freeze over.”
The fact that my best friend didn’t tell me that our important meeting was with Asher fucking Banks nearly sets me off. It’s too early for my heart to be pumping this fast.
“Harper,” Asher says. The light filters through the window, illuminating him like the angel of death. “ Billie. ”
A low growl escapes from my throat, and I nearly choke on the irritation that wells up inside me. Fuck him, and that infuriatingly attractive smirk plastered on his face.
“Harper, can I speak to you outside?” He glances at her, his chiseled jaw clenched tight.
The scent of his cologne—a blend of something that’s so distinctly him and cedar—drifts through the room. I hate that he smells good.
The tension wraps around my throat like a fist, and it squeezes.
He’s the only man on this planet that I purposely avoid because I can’t be in the same room with him without getting into an argument. He’s a pompous, know-it-all asshole. And I don’t care that he’s best friends with Weston. We’ve hated each other since undergrad. Nothing has changed in over a decade. Nothing at all.
Harper offers me a sweet smile, and her eyes display a hint of nervousness as she stands. “Give me one minute.”
“Harp”—the frustration is evident in my tone—“this is low.”
She knows we’re enemies—that we have been. Everyone knows.
I’ll file for bankruptcy before I allow him to save my ass. The mere thought of him having that power over me is unbearable. He’d never let me live that down.
She meets him outside my office door, but they speak loud enough where I can hear.
“You said she’d be aware,” he mutters, his tone laced with annoyance, the chip on his shoulder barely hidden.
“I had no other choice. I apologize,” Harper states, her voice urgent and tinged with desperation.
My heart drops at her tone. Are things worse than I thought? Are we so desperate we need him ?
“I should go,” he states in that deep growl that makes the hair on my arms stand up.
“Please, Asher.”
Their voices lower, and I can no longer hear them.
A minute later, Harper returns with Asher following behind her. They take their seats in front of my desk. The room is heavy with uncertainty.
“Why are you still here?” I ask, meeting his eyes. My irritation might bubble over.
“Because you need me ,” he says, his tone dripping with cockiness, a challenge written all over his face.
“I need you?” I scoff.
“Badly,” he says, checking his watch. “And I won’t help until you ask me.”
“You can leave.” I point toward the door.
“Perfect. You’ll have to beg for my help next time.”
“We can find someone else,” I say, casting a worried glance at Harper, who’s already calculating our next move.
“You’ll beg on your knees.” He leans back in his chair, licking his lips, his gaze intense.
I burst into sarcastic laughter. “Goodbye, Banks.”
He stands and adjusts his tie before he moves across the room. “I’ll have the last laugh, Calloway.”
“Asher,” Harper whispers urgently, before the door snaps shut. She glares at me, frustration radiating from her. “Billie, we need him.”
“No, we don’t.” My response is immediate. “There are tons of marketing agencies who can help us pivot. Anyone other than him.”
“Lustre offered Asher a contract,” she blurts out.
“What?” I barely choke out the word.
My heart drops, a cold dread pooling in my stomach.
Lustre is our number one competitor. They play dirty and undercut us every chance they get. Somehow, they’ve stolen our designs and produced them faster and cheaper. It’s why our share of the market dropped so significantly last quarter.
“They approached him and offered a contract. So, either he helps us grow and takes Bellamore to the next level, or he becomes our worst fucking nightmare. ”
“He’s already mine,” I snap back.
“Yeah, well, you need to decide if you hate him more than you love our company,” she replies, her tone sharp. “This decision is yours. I got him here, and you pushed him away. You’ll need to figure it out now.”
“Anyone but him,” I insist.
“He’s the best. We both know that.” She leans in, her voice dropping. “I just hope you’re prepared to dip into your inheritance to save Bellamore. In less than six months, we’ll both have to come up with millions so we don’t go under thanks to your piece of shit ex.”
The weight of her words press down on me. “Harp, I don’t have access to my inheritance until I’m married. This is it. You know that.”
“Then I guess your options are to find a husband or drop to your knees and beg Asher Banks. Which will it be?”
I suck in a deep breath, and I say the only thing that comes to mind. “ Fuck. ”