Billionaires in New York Boxed Set: Billionaires in the City Books 1-3 Laura Burton (books to read this summer .TXT) 📖

and widened. “Emily Stewart?” Julie turned to see Emily looking sheepish as she offered a little wave.

“You got me.”

“How do you… Why are you…?” Harry seemed unable to find words to finish his questions. Before Emily could answer, Tabby jumped down from the couch and flew past Julie’s legs right toward Harry.

“Oh sorry, my cat hates—” Julie broke off as she watched Harry crouch to the floor and offer his hand to Tabby, who was purring and rubbing his back on Harry’s legs.

“Hates what?” he asked, looking up at Julie with his brows lifted. Julie glanced back at Emily and the two of them shared a look of surprise.

“Well, I’m not worried anymore,” Emily said triumphantly as she rose to her feet.

“Worried about what? Why are you here again? I’m confused.” Harry got to his feet with Tabby cradled in his arms like a baby.

“Me too,” Julie added through a laugh. Emily walked past and rested a hand on Harry’s forearm; her head didn’t even reach his shoulder.

“Someone has to look after Tabby. And yes… I should probably have mentioned that Julie is my best friend.”

Harry eyed Emily shrewdly, his lips pressed together as he murmured something inaudible.

“Well, here you go.” He handed Tabby to Emily, but the cat’s claws clung onto his jacket and Julie had to pry them off.

“Ready to go?” he asked Julie. She took one more look at Emily before turning back to Harry and nodding.

Let the adventure begin.

Chapter Fourteen

Love in the Air

Harry reclined in the soft leather armchair, drink in hand and watched Julie take in their surroundings.

“What is this for?” she asked, pointing to a silver platter with a neat pile of steaming facecloths.

“You know, to wash your face and neck. The air is considerably dry in here once we’re airborne.”

Julie nodded along looking dazed. Then she turned and pulled out a fold-down table over her lap.

“I can’t believe this.” She took her sandals off and wriggled her toes with her legs outstretched. Harry caught himself smiling as he watched.

A young woman entered the cabin, dressed in a perfectly pressed blue uniform. “Good evening Mr. Jackson, Ms. Andrews,” she said in Queen’s English. Harry glanced at Julie as she straightened in her seat and slipped her sandals back on.

“The chef would like me to take your orders,” the woman continued. Julie looked at Harry like a kid on Christmas day.

“Chef? Harry, this is so cool,” she said patting her legs with excitement.

Harry liked this side of Julie. Out in public, she was quiet and a little awkward, as if not sure how to fit in. The nervous glances and slight disgruntled look on her face told him she hated being around people as much as he did.

Harry tolerated it. Understood that crowds, paparazzi, and attention came with his work. But he wished he could walk around incognito, without the security entourage and yelling men and women with their giant cameras.

“What’s on the menu?” Julie’s question pulled Harry out of his thoughts.

“What do you fancy?” he asked her. Julie shrugged and twirled her hair with her fingers. Was there something different about it? Her white-blonde waves were straightened out, yet it looked shorter. Julie drummed her lips with her fingertips in thought.

“I’m easy. I could eat anything right now.” She rubbed her stomach as it growled.

“I’ll have a filet mignon with a creamy mushroom sauce,” Harry said with a nod. The woman smiled in acknowledgement.

“And you, Miss?”

Julie chewed her lip as her eyes shot to Harry before she grinned sheepishly at the woman.

“Can I ask for a slice of pepperoni pizza?”

“That’s a great call. Forget a slice, bring in the whole thing,” Harry added.

The woman left the cabin, leaving them alone once more. Julie reverted back to her relaxed self, sandals off again and slouched into her chair.

“So,” she began as she swiveled her chair to face Harry. He resisted the urge to laugh. This new laid-back version of Julie was endearing and fun. “Has this plane got a TV?” she asked looking around the sparse cabin. A small cream leather loveseat sat facing a mahogany cabinet.

Harry picked up a white control and clicked. A large flat screen TV rose out of the cabinet and Julie clapped.

“This is the life,” she said.

By the time the plane landed, Harry’s cheeks ached, along with his stomach. The two of them binge-watched Julie’s favorite TV show, one about werewolves and vampires, and consumed far more calories than Harry’s nutritionist would like. The two of them relaxed together on the loveseat by the TV, Julie’s head resting on Harry’s shoulder, and all was right in the world.

It amazed Harry how comfortable he was with Julie. She was a breath of fresh air, grounding and authentic. In the plane, no one had to keep up appearances or worry about behaving a certain way. It was just the two of them, chilling out in a multi-million-dollar private jet.

Julie’s response to the lavish lifestyle was refreshing. She acknowledged it, but dealt with it all in a healthy, curious way. It was as if Harry was experiencing it all for the very first time. It excited him to think about the weekend he had planned. There was so much to see, so much to do. He hoped they would get some time to be alone.

“What’s our plan?” Julie asked as they got into the car that was waiting for them at the airport. Harry put his arm around Julie as she sidled in next to him. They fit perfectly together like two pieces of a puzzle.

“We’re going to my London apartment to get ready. We are having brunch with my parents in a couple of hours.”

Julie sighed.

“We should have slept on the plane,” she said, exhaling deeply. Harry rubbed her arm and hummed in reply.

“Don’t worry, after brunch, we can go back and grab a few hours before the dinner. We can talk about it later, but I don’t want you to worry about it. Once we’re inside, there won’t be any