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

cameras. You’ve got to remember that these people, even though they have money, they’re just… normal people.” Harry found himself on a tangent. “Well, okay, some people can be pretentious and annoying, but the people at our table are mostly family or people who I consider family. You’ve got nothing to be nervous about.” Harry stopped talking at the sound of a snore. He tilted his head to catch a glimpse of Julie’s lashes touching her cheeks. He leaned back and secured his arm around her shoulders, squeezing gently as he looked out of the window. The English countryside rolled by as Harry grinned to himself. Of all the expensive treasures in the world, the one in his arms was the most precious.

Chapter Fifteen

Meet the Parents

Julie stretched out like a cat, arching her back and yawning loudly. She patted the impossibly soft bedding around her and blinked into the sunlight streaming in through the white curtains.

She had no recollection of going to bed. She wondered if the last week was a dream and now it was time to wake up and finish that dress for Noelle.

The sound of busy traffic outside had Julie sliding off the strange king-size bed and marching across the carpeted floor to take a look. Big red double-decker buses rolled past the window, along with black taxi cabs and cyclists. The endless stream of traffic and the smoggy air had Julie beaming ear to ear. She was home.

Well, sort of.

She spun around to take in the room. A large white wardrobe stood in the corner next to a recliner chair, and an antique writer’s bureau sat beside the bed with a desk lamp. Her luggage sat neatly at the foot of the bed, along with her sandals and her jacket lay folded on top of the bag. She looked down and wriggled her toes in the carpet pile and tried to recall what happened.

They were in the car. It was so warm and comfortable in Harry’s arms. The steady beat of his heart was like the ticking of a clock. His chest rumbled against her as he talked, and the car vibrations sent her off to sleep faster than you could say “good night.”

Harry must have carried me up to bed.

The thought sent butterflies to her midriff.

A knock on the door alerted Julie back to the present and she automatically called out. The door swung open tentatively and Harry’s face came into view. He had dark circles under his eyes and his hair was tousled.

“Oh good, you’re awake,” he said in a scratchy voice. “We need to leave in fifteen minutes.”

Julie’s stomach lurched.

“Where are we going again?”

“We’re having brunch with my mother.”

Right. What does one wear to brunch with the potential mother-in-law?

Julie flashed a smile and offered a thumbs up as Harry closed the door. She turned to her case. Times like these had her wishing she smuggled Emily along too. But it was the still only the crack of dawn in New York, and Emily would definitely be—

Julie’s phone vibrated, interrupting her thoughts.

“Why haven’t you called me yet? I’ve been worried sick.”

Julie’s shoulders relaxed as she sighed. Emily’s voice––although bossy and irritable––was music to her ears.

“Sorry, I fell asleep.”

“You’re supposed to stay awake. You’ll never cope with the jet lag if you sleep all day.”

Julie threw the phone on her bed and unzipped her bag as Emily ranted through the speaker.

“Tell me about the flight. How was it?”

“I don’t have time, Emily. I have to be ready in fifteen minutes for brunch with Harry’s mother.”

There was a moment of silence. Julie wondered if the phone had lost signal, but Emily’s voice came barking out of the phone once more.

“Fifteen minutes?” she screeched. Julie winced against the noise. “How are you supposed to—” There was a huffing sound and Emily coughed. “Right, put on the yellow dress, use the donut thing to make your hair into a nice bun. Forget the lashes, go for simple makeup. In fact, you look gorgeous, just wash your face and put a touch of mascara on. Maybe a little gloss.”

Julie nodded along as she pulled out a yellow jersey dress and held it up at her shoulders. “Is it cold over there? Wait, it’s March and you’re in England. Of course, it’s cold.”

Julie glanced out the window again.

“The sun is shining.”

“Wear the white cashmere cardigan. Unless you think it will rain….”

Ten minutes later, Julie––with Emily’s help––was looking fresh-faced and presentable. She found a tall mirror on the inside of the wardrobe door and inspected her work. She had carefully swept up her hair into a high bun at the back of her head and smoothed any flyaway strands with her fingers. The knee-length dress came out in an A-line from her waist.

“Thanks, Emily. This is great.”

“Send me a picture, I want to see.”

Julie snapped a selfie in front of the mirror and sent it to Emily.

“Yes, perfect. Now, don’t forget the rules: stay away from politics, religion, and money. Compliment the house, but please for heaven’s sake keep it cool, Julie. Don’t gush. And be agreeable but have something to challenge too. You don’t want to come across as someone with no opinions.”

Julie’s head was spinning with all of the advice, and she was feeling nervous once more. She never considered how to navigate a conversation with these people. Wasn’t Harry’s mother married to a diplomat? These were not the type of people she was used to mingling with.

“You don’t want to come across childish. Don’t do your usual ‘oh this is so cool!’ speech.”

Julie’s cheeks burned. She had completely let herself go on the plane. She gushed. She swooned. She did all of the things Emily told her not to do.

The problem was, being with Harry made her feel like she could just be herself. Maybe that was a bad idea, she wondered.

“Thanks, Emily, I’ve got to go.”

“Good luck. Love you, Jules. You’ve got this.”

There was another knock of the door.

“How are you getting on?” The door swung