Blind Date with my Billionaire Boss - Evangeline Kelly Page 0,1

the near future, and like it or not, it was just who I was. People either accepted me or they moved on.

“Please, Easton. I know you’re scared of commitment, but let down your guard. Let me be there for you.”

There was so much earnestness in her expression that I felt like a jerk, but there wasn’t much I could do. Strike that. There wasn’t anything I was willing to do.

Yep, that summed it up.

Change wasn’t embedded in my DNA. Dad learned that very quickly. And now I would have to live with the consequences of letting him down for the rest of my life. Lila was better off without me.

“I think it’s best if we part ways,” I said. “I’m not ready for anything more than what we already have.”

She stared at me in disbelief for one hot second, and then she slapped me hard across the face, her eyes flickering with fury. That fury quickly turned to hurt as she stumbled back, tears dripping down her cheeks like rain on a glass window. “You’ll regret this, Easton. One day you’ll be old and alone and you’ll remember this conversation.” Her expression hardened, and she pointed a finger at my face. “By then I’ll be married to someone else, and it will be too late.” She spun on her heel and walked out the door, but not before glancing at me one last time. Her anger slipped for just a moment, and I caught a glimpse of pain there.

Sadly, I didn’t feel the slightest urge to run after her, and that had to be a sign. Maybe it should have bothered me more, but it was just another day in the life of Easton Radcliffe, and that wasn’t saying much.

***

“Thank you for joining us, Mr. Radcliffe.” Joanna Lynn, the manager of the private foster care agency, Children’s Commission, stepped forward and shook my hand. “None of this would be possible without you.” She’d pulled her brown hair into a low ponytail and the crows’ feet at her eyes crinkled the slightest bit as she smiled.

I glanced at my Vacheron Constantin watch and nodded, anxious to get this over with. We were at a designated area for company picnics at Six Flags Magic Mountain, a theme park about an hour north of Los Angeles, and while I was happy to provide the funds for a foster youth event, I had other things on my mind today. “Glad to be here.” The words slipped out of my mouth, smooth and professional, and they weren’t a lie exactly. I did actually care in a manner of speaking.

Of course, I wanted underprivileged children to have what they needed. Who wouldn’t?

I just didn’t particularly feel like being here. Not because the kids weren’t worthy of my time. That wasn’t it at all. The real issue was…I wasn’t good at this. Never had been. I was definitely out of my element here.

Dad had volunteered with this particular agency for quite a while, and once I took over his company, Project Helpers, I felt obliged to do the same. Providing financially for events like this was no problem at all. I’d considered handing over a check and telling Joanna I couldn’t make it, but something told me I should at least show up. I did have basic decency regardless of what others thought.

“The volunteers are getting ready to start a game,” she said, looking at me as if trying to gauge how interested I was. “I would invite you to join in but…” She glanced at my black business suit and raised an eyebrow. “I don’t think you’re dressed appropriately for that.”

“Yes, well, I can’t stay long. I have a lot to take care of at the office.”

“Ah, that’s too bad. Your father always took the day off. We would love your participation.” She met my gaze and then glanced to the side as if not wanting to judge me for my lack of enthusiasm, but I didn’t miss the disapproval in her expression.

“My father was a great man, and I’m still trying to fill his shoes so…” What you see is what you get.

Joanna smiled and lightly touched me on the arm. “He was, and we will miss him greatly. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. The picnic and day at Six Flags are very appreciated. The kids are having a wonderful time.”

I glanced around as hordes of children played tag or some such game. They were laughing and smiling and basically doing what children did.