Lauren (Silicon Valley Billionaires 1)

Hannah buzzed me in the early afternoon. “You need to see something.” She went quiet for a second. “Two things, actually. And you aren’t going to like either of them.”

“Great.” I opened my browser. “What?”

“Go to Clive’s company website. He has a new announcement.”

I held my breath and navigated to his site. The News page had an announcement, dated today, that his company was “working

on an exciting partnership with one of the biggest stars in healthcare technology.”

What the hell. “I can’t believe he’s doing this.” I felt the floor spin beneath me. He was forcing my hand by going ahead with his plans to either partner with me or take me down in broad daylight.

“That’s just the first thing. You might like the next one even less. Go to the Valley News’s Business page. There’s a picture—I’m just warning you.”

I clicked to the page, feeling as if I were going to throw up. I pulled up the Boldface Names column, which recounted business dealings and other, more gossip-oriented news about local business people.

I stopped scrolling when I got to the picture. It was of Gabe, his hand on the arm of a stunning woman with long, stick-straight dark hair and legs that went on forever.

I gripped the mouse so hard I was surprised it didn’t shatter. “Who is that?” I asked flatly. I lacked the strength to actually make it sound like a question.

“She’s a, err…model. For a sportswear catalog.”

“Of course she is.” I swallowed hard. “I told you I couldn’t trust him.”

“I don’t know about that,” Hannah said. “That’s who he left last night. To come and see you. If you read the column, it says he ran out on her in the middle of dinner. I debated even showing this to you. I didn’t want to make you upset.”

I looked at the picture again and felt sick. “So why did you?”

“Because I didn’t want you to stumble across the column and think the worst. I wanted to give you the context to analyze the information properly.” My sister, who knew me better than anyone, gave me a scientific presentation.

With only one way to analyze the information, I looked at the picture and felt the hot, unwelcome sting of jealousy.

“I have to go. I’ll see you later.” I hung up and grabbed my coat.

“I’m going out for the rest of the day,” I told my assistant, Stephanie, as I hustled past. She looked shocked, but I ignored her. I texted my driver as I strode down the hallway. I need a ride. Stat.

I had to pay a very important CEO a visit.

The driver pulled up in front of Dynamica, and I just sat there, miserably, as he idled by the curb. “Would you like me to pull into the parking lot, Ms. Taylor?”

“No,” I said.

“Am I coming with you?” Timmy asked.

“No,” I said again.

Timmy raised an eyebrow, but I ignored him.

I hadn’t called Gabe to tell him I was coming, in part because I wasn’t sure I would have the chutzpah to actually go up and see him. Maybe the supermodel athlete was there, dropping off his dry cleaning, waiting for him to take her to dinner again, or just staring at him in adoration.

I cracked my knuckles, then just sat there for another minute, trying to gather courage. Finally, I sighed and opened the door. “I’ll just be a few minutes. I’ll text you when I’m ready to leave.”

I headed into the reception area of the sleek building. I’d never been there before, but it looked modern and seemed brand-new. Gabriel had done well for himself. From what I’d read about Dynamica, it had been profitable from the beginning and had grown at a healthy rate every year.

I would be happy for him if that were physically possible for me at the moment.

I nodded curtly at the receptionist. “I’m Lauren Taylor. I’m here to see Mr. Betts. He’s not expecting me.”

She picked up the phone and spoke quietly while I fidgeted, waiting. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the window and noticed I wore a black skirt, black sweater, and black flats. My hair was pulled back in a low, lackluster ponytail. Hannah would have an absolute fit if she knew I’d gone to see him like this.