Freedom (Billionaire Secrets 2)

“Yes. But if tonight is a success, I want to use it to prove to the judge that I’m a responsible parent and that Gary and I should be sharing custody.”

He disagreed. Gary didn’t deserve any custody of Finn. He kept the thought to himself. “You’re a responsible parent,” he said. “A judge would be crazy not to see how great you are with Finn.”

“Thanks. Now, all I have to do is focus on working the room and convincing the tabloid reporter,” she said. “I’m not going to let my anxiety get the best of me. Especially since I’ve got a good feeling about tonight.”

He hoped she was right.

Chapter 10

They stepped into the hotel ballroom, Simon making sure he didn’t stand too close to Heather. He decided it was best to let her lead tonight. She was the one the media seemed to like, and she looked so beautiful he doubted anyone would even notice he was there.

The ballroom was packed with former Washington High students. When Heather stopped in her tracks to look around the room, scores of people paused to glance at her. Some of them started nudging each other knowingly and whispering when they noticed her.

Already annoyed at their obvious judgment, Simon walked over to her side and forced an encouraging smile. “Looks like a good turnout,” he said stiffly.

The tabloid reporter that Linda had sent suddenly appeared, digital camera in hand. Simon recognized the reporter from photographs that Linda had sent him. “There you are.” The reporter grinned. “I thought you guys would want to be fashionably late, but I guess you’re both sticklers for rules. I’m Toni, by the way.” Toni stuck her hand out and Heather shook it enthusiastically.

This was already a tedious chore, but Simon forced himself to greet Toni with as much warmth as possible. Getting permission to allow a reporter in here had been difficult. Other than Toni, the reunion   was barred to all members of the press.

“Hey, don’t mind me,” Toni said. “I’m supposed to be just blend in while you two do what you’d normally do at an event like this. Have a good time. Network. The usual.”

“We don’t usually do things like this,” Simon muttered.

Heather shot him a warning glance that ordinarily would have been enough to make anyone back down. But she looked so damn sexy with her hazel eyes flashing dangerously and her cheeks flushed in anger that he wanted to keep pushing.

“Networking has never been my strength,” he continued. “If I’m successful tonight it will all be Heather’s doing.”

Another warning glance. Her blush deepened, and he was suddenly filled with an unshakeable need. A need he had to eliminate if this night was to go as planned.

Luckily Toni seemed to take Heather’s warning glance seriously and said, “Well, I’ll be looking for all the other billionaires you two went to school with. I think I see a washed-up rock star making a fool of himself on the dancefloor. See you later!”

“Simon, try not to give the reporter any ammo to use against us,” Heather said the minute Toni was out of earshot.

He breathed out a heavy sigh. “Fine. I’m glad she’s gone, though.”

“She’ll be back,” Heather reminded him. “It wouldn’t surprise me if she was looking for a far more scandalous past student to compare us to. That way we’d end up looking good by comparison.”

“That’s the angle?” He frowned. “Throw somebody under the bus to save us from scandal?”

Her gaze followed Toni as she made a beeline for the washed-up rock star. “I think the rock star would welcome the media attention at this low point in his career.”

“I didn’t even know there was a rock star at our school,” Simon murmured.

She laughed, her body leaning against his. “Why am I not surprised that you’re not up to date on your pop culture?”

He shrugged. “I don’t listen to music with lyrics. It’s too distracting.”

That made her laugh again and she shook her head. “I think I see some familiar faces over by the punch table. How about we go over and say hello?”

There was nothing he wanted to do less, but he didn’t have a choice. If Heather was going to rise to the occasion, then so was he.