The Billionaires and The Bookworm

CHAPTER 1

Vanessa

It was finally happening.

All my life, I had dreamed of owning my own bookstore. It was all I ever wanted and needed, all that I could see as my future. For years, I had armed myself with books—specifically, romances—and knew every author from the popular to the most obscure. I had spent most nights cuddled up in my bed with my dog, Orion, flipping page after page while my eyes sped through the words.

I could devour up to five books a week, a feat that not many could boast. Though I wasn't pompous about it, I wasn't exactly humble either. I was always proud of how I could drink books like fine wine, and I never once left it out of any conversation. It was what prompted Mr. Ruffalo to hire me. Burke's Books was the one and only job I had ever had, and I had committed my free time to knowing the ins and outs of the business so that I could one day take over.

And that day was here.

Within the first year of working for Mr. Ruffalo, we had made an agreement: when he retired, he would sign everything over to me. The only condition was that I set aside $25,000 for the initial buyout. It seemed like a lot at the time, but after a few years, I was already halfway saved up. By the time Mr. Ruffalo mentioned he was thinking about moving—and retiring—I started setting aside huge chunks of checks, almost entire ones just so I could hit my goal.

I scrimped and saved every single penny, even picking up a night job walking dogs. Orion loved the company and got along well with the other pups, so it seemed like a huge win whenever I landed the gig. It didn't take long after that. Yeah, I may have lived on rice and beans for a few weeks out of the year, but it was worth it.

This was all so worth it.

I had all my information in a giant vanilla folder. I was dropping off the last dog named Watson, a little bulldog with a wrinkly face and the most lovable smile when I realized I had to run home and drop off Orion. We sprinted down the sidewalk to my studio apartment, and I put him inside, blowing him kisses as I ran back out the door. The day seemed so much brighter now that I was on my way to work.

I greeted the rising sun with the most joyful grin I had ever worn. There weren't many days like today. I don't think the rush of endorphins I felt could ever come from anything else—not even sex. Nothing could compare. I was on my way to a bigger apartment, an actual car, and maybe even some fancy things that I had always wanted.

(Fancy things being a spiral bookshelf to fit my entire collection of romance novels.)

Work, I thought. Well, it won't feel like work anymore. It'll feel like a regular day as soon as everything is signed.

I practically danced my way across the street and onto the bus. That was another way I saved: no car. If I didn't have anything to maintain and fill with gas, I'd save a few hundred or more a month. It all worked out, and I thought about what kind of modern cars I would consider buying once the first few months of my business were settled up.

I stared longingly out the window. This was going to be the best day of my life! I studied the cars, the buildings, and the people that flew right past my window, making me smile with bliss at the sight of everything. I couldn't help it—I was so excited that I could burst right from my skin.

When the bus paused on 29 th and 7 th, I stepped off and waved to the driver, feeling lighter than air. I adjusted my bag over my shoulder and pumped up the steps of Burke's Books, pushing through the door and listening with a surge of ecstasy to the familiar jingle of the bell. I inhaled the wonderful smell of books.

Most people I've encountered swear up and down that the store has no distinct smell. But I have always sworn it was there. The binding of the books, the pages that filled them, and even the dust that gathered on the most unwanted novels all gave off their own scent. I inhaled it as deeply as I would the azaleas that grew wildly in the back of the building.

I couldn't get enough.

It was a modest store. The aisles were large and ran down the length of the entire building, rows, and rows of all sorts of novels and books that could last through the end of time. Each section was separated by genre, then by alphabetical order. The authors were always listed by their last names. I flew by the self-help section and the new age religion shelf, darting right toward the register at the front leftmost corner of the store.

Mr. Ruffalo was behind the counter with his glasses on the very edge of his nose. If he sneezed, they would certainly fly off into the distance and be lost in the discount books box. He looked older than usual, but it made him look all the wiser. His brown hair was edged with gray on the sides, and his bushy brows were practically white at this stage of his life. He wore the same corduroy pants and sweater vest that he seemed to own a dozen of, the cufflinks of his shirt rolled up as always.

He held papers in his right hand.

For me, I presume, I stated giddily as I set my folder on the counter. Today is such an amazing day, Mr. Ruffalo.

It's certainly a day.

I'm sorry that you have to leave, but I'm not going to hide my excitement. I have so many ideas to modernize the store. I think a new POS system would work very well up front. We could go completely digital, right down to the receipts! Can you even believe that? It's such fine technology these days.

Mr. Ruffalo removed his glasses slowly, pressing the end of them to his pursed lips. About that, Nessa. I've got some things to discuss.

I'm all business today. You can count on me to listen. I've got every paper you ever gave me ready, and the account is primed up and ready to wire you the cash. What else do I need?

We should really talk.

Would you like coffee? I can go grab one. We practically have all day!

He rubbed the bridge of his nose while setting his glasses down on the counter. "Nessa, we need to talk now. Please, have a seat."

His tone was solemn. I wasn't particularly excited about that. Now that I really looked at him, he looked more aged than usual. Was he dying? Is that what he meant by retiring? Shoot, I couldn't take any bad news right now!

What's going on, Mr. Ruffalo? I asked in a low voice as I took a seat in one of the cushioned chairs near the discount bins. Is it...are you…?

I'm quite fine, Vanessa. Be assured I will be living for at least another thirty years from here on out.

I phewed loudly and placed a hand over my heart. "Oh, well, that's good."

You are too kind.

I just worry, you know?

And I worry about you, too. Listen—I received a letter yesterday contesting the sale of my bookstore.

My heart practically leaped into my throat, causing me to croak, Wait, what?

The owners of the property next door are having a property disagreement with me. They're claiming that the store is on part of their land.

"But that can't be. We've gone over all the papers together. We went through the property lines together. This can't be happening right now... I held my hand over my chest, trying to calm my rapidly beating heart that had dropped from my throat into my chest. It didn't feel any better there. Where does that leave me? What about all this money I saved?"

I realize this is an awful time for this to be happening. I can't even imagine how you're feeling, Vanessa. I feel blindsided by the whole thing.

I just don't understand. This was a done deal.

What am I going to do now? How can this be happening? What am I going to tell Orion? He was just as excited as me to have more space to occupy.

My mind became a whirlwind of thoughts, of images, of all the nights I had spent working overtime just to get a little bit more out of my checks. I had doubled up on doggy duty. I had even spent entire weekends with dogs in order to get just a little bit more. I squeezed every last ounce of energy to make this bookstore deal happen. And now someone was getting in my way.

That meant I had to fight back. Who is contesting the sale? Can you give me a name?

Rowland, I believe. Grant Rowland. His name is on the signs next door.

You mean all this construction over here? I pointed to the wall behind Mr. Ruffalo. Those people who have been making all that noise for the past three months?

Yes, I'm afraid they want to take the store down with everything else. They've been keeping a close eye on me, I'm afraid.

Not if I have anything to do with it.

I snatched the papers from the counter and folded them under my arm. This would have to wait. I had other business to tend to first. I could hear Mr. Ruffalo calling out for me as I stepped stubbornly outside and into the blazing light of morning. I hopped down the steps and marched to my right, approaching the lavish white board hanging in front of a pile of rubble.

It was awful. The grand red letters on the sign boasted brand new luxury condos within the year. I scoffed at the sign, flipped off the rubble, and marched right back to the store where I slammed the papers down on the counter.

I can't believe it! I groaned. It's just another suit trying to ruin our city!

Listen, Vanessa, don't blow your lid yet. I've been fighting back as much as I can, but you know me. I can only handle so much on my own.

I shook my head. You shouldn't have to do this by yourself. I'm more than happy to help. I've been scraping for too long to just give up now. It's practically in my hands.

If you can prove to them that the property lines are as they should be, then it's all uphill from here.

How do I do all that?

I have the original maps from the previous owner in my office. I'd be happy to hand them to you.

Please—this is the dream of a lifetime, Mr. Ruffalo. I don't want it to slip out of my hands as fast as it came.

Let me go get it.

As he slipped away to the back of the store, a round of drilling and construction noises erupted from next door.

I rolled my eyes.

Jerks. If they want this building, they'll have to pry it from my cold, dead fingers.

I tapped my foot against the carpet. I couldn't even think straight. I was too furious. If anything else got in the way of me getting this deal signed, then I would just blow it up with c-4. I wouldn't let anything stop me. I couldn't. I was too determined to make this my career.

And that meant I would have to do everything in my power to stop those suits from taking what was rightfully mine.

CHAPTER 2

Grant

I pointed at the building plans in front of me, dragging my finger along a blue line. See how these are state-of-the-art? The great thing is that they're made from recycled materials. Everything in these condos are recycled.

Our client, Wes Stokes, admired the plans. "This reduces pollution, and it's appealing to the eye."

Exactly what we had in mind, Elias stated from my left. He was my business partner and long-time best friend. We did everything together. To create a better, brighter future. Green is part of our business lingo.

I love it, Wes said. When can we expect the finished project?

We're all about taking our time, I replied.

Elias nodded. And being ethical about it.

We make sure to hire companies who offer their workers the best pay and the top health packages.

No one gets overworked and underpaid on our watch.

Improved working conditions means a top-notch product.

Fewer work-related accidents. Higher attendance. Less sick days.

I grinned at Wes. So, we're looking at the end of this year or the middle of next year.

That's quite a stretch, Wes commented.

But we're also considering adding a community garden, Elias vocalized as he pointed to the center of the blue prints.

I tapped the edge of the blue print building. And a library.

Most everything would be self-sufficient.

If you backed the rest of the project, just imagine the headlines. I pointed to the wide French windows on the other side of the conference room. There was a Bonzai tree in the corner right next to a water fountain made entirely of boulders with Koi fish in the water. Think about how you'll be the next green name in the city of Charlotte.

Wes hummed. He rose from his chair and walked around the conference table to the Koi fish fountain, tapping the edge of the rocks thoughtfully. When he turned, he faced the windows and peeled aside the delicate sheer curtains to peer into the great beyond.

There's a great city out there just dying to become part of the solution, I continued.

We've gotten widespread feedback on investing in green technology, Elias added.

"And we're more