Style (Dressing a Billionaire Book 2): A Romantic Comedy Read Online Free Page A

wasn’t anything. It was a stunt for the cameras.” More specifically, a stunt for Marla and Miles, where cameras just happened to be. “And I’m at Hugo’s house now. He needed a ride and his driver had the night off.”
    “There’s still some pizza if you get home soon,” her tone nicer. “I told my friends you’d never stoop so low as to kiss Hugo for publicity, but I guess I was wrong.”
    I shook my head. “Mom, I was kidding, we didn’t even know there were photographers around. It’s stupid. And I’m not coming home. I’m staying the night at Hugo’s place. I wanted to give you the courtesy of a phone call.”
    “Darling, you aren’t sixteen anymore. And come to think of it, you didn’t give us that courtesy back then.” She got me there. I heard a smile in her voice.
    “Well, I’m all grown up now, and I’m calling.” I figured it was never too late to respect your parents more. “I’ll be home in the morning to pack a bag. I’m headed to Vegas.” I waited for the response.
    “One: don’t grow up, it’s highly overrated. Two: if you’re going to Vegas, I’m packing a bag, too. I’ve never been.”
    Not the response I expected. “As much as I’d love to explore Vegas with you, Mom, it’s a business trip. We’ll go later this year when I have some money.”
    “I have money. Bruce’s payment jar adds up,” she offered.
    I laughed. “Next time.”
    We finished our call as I walked back into the house. I had a smile on my face when I entered the bedroom, but Hugo didn’t return my smile, nor did he have the same relaxed demeanor he’d had when I left.
    He had his phone to his ear. “No, Stella, I’m not happy. And I’m not going back. I made my appearance and gave the money, now I’m out. And by the way, who invited the media?”
    I waved and walked over to the bed.
    “I’m splattered all over the Internet! You promised this wouldn’t happen.” He slammed his head back onto his pillows. “Did you see the headline about me running away from Kelsey? Dammit, Stella, this is why I don’t attend this shit, and you know it. It’s going to stir up rumors, and I’ll have one more thing on my plate to fix.”
    I could hear Stella yelling into the phone, “Don’t be an ass! It’ll be fantastic publicity for the release. Come Monday, all your hard work will have paid off. For now, enjoy the limelight and treat yourself to some downtime this weekend.”
    “I’m hanging up now. I’ve got to go.” He slammed his phone on the nightstand.
    I sat on top of the covers, and we watched the movie on the huge screen. Hugo didn’t speak, but I could hear his breathing, a stressed sound, raspy even. Like a fire breathing dragon kindling the eventual flames.
    I’d been on the receiving end of Miles’ stress rants, so I sat quietly and stared at the screen without really watching the movie.
    After half an hour of silence, I heard a knock at the door. “I’ll get it.”
    I practically ran out of the bedroom.
    I opened the door to find a delivery man from Tom Thumb. He held out the bags. “Order for Mr. Hugo Popovits.”
    “You guys deliver?” I wished I’d known this before.
    He smiled gracefully. “For Mr. Popovits, we do.” Of course you do.
    I took the bags. “Thanks.” Then I leaned in close to him, “Do I need to tip you?”
    The thick gentleman of about fifty smiled and held up his chubby hands in a “don’t shoot” style. “It’s already taken care of, thank you.”
    He turned to leave, and I sniffed at the food in the bags.
    “Pizza?” I said to Hugo as I entered the bedroom.
    “Not just any pizza,” he said. He sat up in the bed. “Bring those over here. We’ll have a picnic in bed.”
    I unloaded the bags. Red wine, white wine, bottled water, sparkling water (Pellegrino, my favorite), and four pizzas with the same type of ingredients Gwen and I usually use when we make our own pizza. And in a bag of their own, a dozen cupcakes. From their designer