Hollywood Heir (Westerly Billionaire #4)(47)

He wasn’t sure of himself or her anymore, and he didn’t know how to change how he felt. He was gifted at pulling away, denying something bothered him, turning off his emotions. He could cut Delinda and Sage out of his life and label Wayne Easton a failed experiment—convince himself that none of it mattered anyway.

Anger boiled inside him. He didn’t want to slide back to that place, and he hated Delinda for showing him that he was capable of that fall.

She tried to talk to him once as they left the plane, but he walked away from her and the car she’d arranged to meet them.

Instead of waiting for another car to arrive, Eric walked through the airport in search of a taxi line. Distracted as he was, he forgot why he’d never done that. As people began to recognize him, they swarmed him. It started with relatively pleasant, albeit ill-timed, introductions and requests that he pose for photos or autograph something. He signed countless papers, shook hands, even held a baby while the mother took a photo of him with her child. However, without the personal security he normally would have surrounded himself with in public, he was at the mercy of a crowd that grew in size and then in enthusiasm. People began pushing and shoving to get closer to him. This could go south fast.

Airport security arrived and ushered him away from the crowd to a waiting taxi. A few of them asked for a photo with him as well before he stepped into the car. He wasn’t proud of the fact that their requests would have once annoyed him. He took the time to thank each of them, pose for their photos, and wave at the crowd behind them. It cost him nothing, and he left to smiles.

“Where to?” the taxi driver asked.

“Just drive for now,” Eric said. “I need time to think.”

“It might get pricey fast,” the driver warned.

“That’s fine.”

They were quiet for several miles before the driver spoke. “My daughter’s a doctor.”

Eric made a guttural sound in place of a response.

“Want to see a picture of her?” The driver held up his phone and showed a photo of a beautiful dark-haired woman. “She’s a hard worker. Now my son, he’ll keep me in this cab another decade. He’s taking his time graduating from university.” He went on to share much more about both of his children.

Eric nodded, half listening. Even though his head was still spinning, there was something soothing about hearing about normal people living normal lives. The pride in the man’s voice as he talked about his children was moving.

Finally, Eric interrupted long enough to give him his address. The man whistled at the size of the gate, then swore at the size of Eric’s home.

“What’s it like to live in a house like that?” the driver asked when he parked.

“Not as amazing as you’d think.” Eric paid his fare with a generous tip, then stepped out of the car, taking his overnight bag with him. “Thank you for sharing that. You gave me something to smile about on a day when I didn’t feel I had one.”

“There’s always a reason to smile. If you can’t find one—be one. Have a good day.”

Eric walked into his home with those words still with him. He took out his phone and typed in the name of the taxi driver as well as his children. When Brett’s assistant arrived, he had another name to add to the list of people who should unexpectedly have something wonderful happen. Full scholarship for his son? A grant his daughter could use to buy supplies for those in need?

Reggie asked him how his trip went.

Eric shook his head and walked away. He was done—for that day, at least.





Chapter Eleven

Early afternoon the next day, Delinda stood outside the door of her library. “Is he here yet, Michael?”

“Yes. I have him waiting in the parlor. Would you like me to bring him in now or give you a few minutes?”

“Is everything ready?”

“I believe so.”

“Then give me a moment to settle, but no more.”

“Understood.”

Delinda walked to a corner of her library where a technician had just finished installing a huge flat-screen television as well as a new computer system. The young man looked proud of himself as he stood beside it. Delinda didn’t thank him. Her appreciation would be shown in his compensation. Instead she had him walk her through how it worked again, then dismissed him from the room.

She had sent a text message to several members of her family, along with instructions on how and when to join her. She cued each of them up on different boxes on the screen. Brett and Alisha were in one, Rachelle and Magnus in another, Spencer and Hailey on still another. She smiled when her good friend Alessandro appeared on the fourth. If it worked as the technician said it would, they would all also be able to see each other.

“What is this about?” Brett asked.

“Is everything all right, Grandmother?” Rachelle chimed in.

“Cool conference setup,” Spencer said with a smile. “Of course, I’d like to upgrade you to virtual reality.”

“This won’t work if you all talk at once,” Delinda said. “Patience, please. We’re waiting for one more person.”

“Mr. Reggie Pines,” Michael announced.

Delinda turned toward her guest. “Reggie, come closer so everyone can see you.”

Looking like he wasn’t sure what the heck was going on, Reggie walked to stand beside Delinda. He scanned the screen and waved at each of them. “Good to see you all. I can honestly say this is a surprise.”