The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 72

72 /485

Chapter 39: Not Even a Damn Emoji-2

Her phone vanished into her bag like a magician’s sleight of hand. She turned to James like he was a life raft. “Hi, Mr. Horton!”

Damien gave a brief nod, eyes narrowed.

James-ever the buffer-stepped in smoothly. “Heading home, Ms. Lin?”

“Oh, not yet!” Harper said, still catching her breath. “I’m stopping by the hospital to visit Maya. We’ve been texting all afternoon, and she said Ms. Janice is bringing her famous lasagna for dinner-ugh, that woman’s cooking should be illegal. I had her casserole last week and nearly proposed to her. Like, full-on ring and everything.” She made a dramatic chef’s kiss gesture. “Ten outta ten.”

Damien said nothing-but one brow twitched, the only visible sign of disbelief.

James, ever the composed one, coughed softly into his fist. “That… sounds promising,” he said, the corner of his mouth twitching like he was holding back a laugh.

Harper caught the flicker in James’s expression and Damien’s raised brow.

She gasped, dramatically clutching her chest. “Don’t judge me! You haven’t lived until you’ve tasted that woman’s cooking. I’d trade my 401(k) for another slice of that casserole. No regrets!”

Then she grinned and pointed at them both. “You two look like you’ve never skipped lunch for lasagna. Amateurs.”

“You’ve been texting her all afternoon?” he asked-too evenly.

Harper blinked. “Yeah… but don’t worry, boss! I wasn’t slacking, I swear!” She held up her hands like she was under oath. “I got all my tasks done first-every last one. I’m a multitasking queen, promise!” She forced a grin. “PR never sleeps… even if I do text a little on the side.”

So she wasn’t asleep.

Wasn’t resting.

She had the energy to text Harper all afternoon… but not him?

Damien’s jaw tensed, fingers flexing once against his side.

The realization wasn’t rational-but it stung. A bitter little knot twisted low in his chest.

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Chapter 39: Not Even a Danin Emoji-2

She could joke, chat, text all afternoon – But not a single word for him.

He forced himself to breathe, jaw ticking as he reined it all back in-cool, composed, unreadable.

“I’m looking forward to that lasagna,” Harper went on, patting her stomach. “Only ate a salad for lunch to make room. Oh! And I need to get Maya’s size too.”

Damien blinked once, his tone deceptively flat. “Size?”

Harper didn’t miss a beat. “Yeah-bra size! I’ve been trying to get it from Maya so I can order bikinis for the Isla Aurelia trip. She’s being super stubborn about it. If I can’t get it out of her, maybe Jamie or Ms. Janice can be my backup spies.”

She giggled, clearly amused by her own scheme.

Damien said nothing.

He didn’t need to.

His jaw tightened, his shoulders stiffened like granite – an intense, simmering stillness that hung heavy in the air, the kind that warns a storm is coming.

“Bikinis,” Damien repeated, voice low and flat.

Harper’s eyes lit up as she leaned in, a playful grin spreading across her face. “Oh, yes! I found this emerald green one-so gorgeous it practically glows. I swear, it would make her skin look like it’s lit from within.” She tapped her fingers thoughtfully against the elevator wall. “And then there’s red-fiery, bold. Just imagine that on her. Have you seen her skin? Porcelain. Like the sun’s never even touched it. It’s almost unreal.”

She sighed dreamily. “And those curves… Ugh! If I were a switch hitter, I might’ve fallen head over heels for her.” She threw her hands up with mock surrender, chuckling softly. “But nooo, I’m totally straight. Like, one thousand percent. So don’t go getting any ideas!”