The Billionaire Scoop: A BWWM Romance (Secrets & Deception Book 1) by Mia Caldwell Read Free Book Online Page B

her feel inappropriate, it made her feel like dropping the scoop immediately.
    She started growing angry at herself.
    You haven’t even gotten the D, and you’re thinking about sparing him?
    Why was she still having any sort of moral conflict about him? He wasn’t worthy of her consideration.
    She let out a breath, feeling the weight of that lie.
    She had been with him long enough to sense he wasn’t just some selfish prick.
    The mere fact that he had fled from an arranged marriage spoke volumes.
    But shouldn’t that turn you off?
    Any day before yesterday she would have judged a man hard for taking off like that, but the look in his eyes, the way he couldn’t just fall into line with his father’s expectations, that he wanted his marriage to mean something beyond a merger, that he longed to find the proper woman…
    Her heart fluttered.
    She reminded herself not to get caught up.
    Despite the kiss he’d given her, he wasn’t exactly in a position to think clearly himself.
    He had way too much going on right now to know what he really wanted.
    All he seemed to be sure of at this point was what he didn’t want: Lucy—the poor girl he left behind.
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    M ari didn’t believe the receptionist—the person she’d dropped by to see most likely did not actually just leave for lunch.
    It was a flimsy excuse—one she wasn’t surprised to hear considering she had popped by unexpectedly, but she was still proud of herself for trying.
    She knew her chances of forcing a meeting between her and an HR person were extremely slim, but she was hoping to catch the eye of someone in charge on at least one of her many visits.
    Maybe someone important would glimpse her and want to know more; her mom had always told her that presenting a case in person is usually most powerful.
    “It’s harder for someone to say no while looking at you,” her mom used to say, “And you, in particular, have a distinct advantage. People always respond to pretty.”
    “I’m not that pretty, mom.”
    “Pretty enough, baby.”
    Sure, she’d continue to keep mailing resumes, but she would keep trying to arrange a meeting in person, unannounced.
    At least, now she was just going through the motions pleading her case, knowing she had a hell of a trump card to play.
    Once she got her info together for her article on Jim Craig, she imagined several places clamoring for her exclusive.
    As she left the building, she dialed up Annie, hoping to catch her at a good time.
    Her best friend usually took her lunch breaks around this time, and if she wasn’t too busy, Mari could finally spill some of the beans from the past twelve hours or so—she felt like she was about to burst.
    So much had happened in so little time.
    Just as she’d hoped, Annie answered.
    “What’s up, big-shot? How was the first day at work? I just know you nailed that interview and they asked you to start immediately!”
    “I thought I did too, but it didn’t work out. But you know what mama says—when one door closes, one opens, and an opportunity of a lifetime walked right into me last night. Or I walked up to it. Or…”
    “Well, do tell!”
    Mari quickly filled her in, leaving out a few details.
    “Dang! When I said it’ll all fall into your lap, I didn’t think it would almost be literal! So let me get this straight—some billionaire jilts his bride and you gave him your apartment to hide out in, your shoulder to cry on, and you’re going to use everything he shares with you to write an article.”
    “Yup! Can you believe it? I thought I just knew how things were going to go, what job was right for me, the path I’d take. I had stuff all planned out, and life went ahead presented something far better than I could have come up with myself. It’s not the way I imagined it would happen, but it’s a helluva lot better!”
    “Nuh-uh, girl.”
    Mari thought she’d heard things for a moment.
    “Excuse me?”
    “You’re not gonna use that man to start your