Billionaire Beast

“Yeah, it’s like everyone has a secret.”

“Well, you’re in much better spirits, so that’s good to see. I was worried about you for a while there. You weren’t yourself. I’m still not sure you’re back a hundred percent.” He gave me a knowing smile, and I waved it off.

“Yeah, the lawsuit settled and with that over, I can move on.”

“I’m sorry I had to send you home the other day, Lexa. It’s just, even though I like you, I can’t let those emotions get in the way with my responsibility.”

“Think no more of it. I understand. It was totally unprofessional of me, and I’m much better now. I mean, there’s still a sting, but nothing to keep me from being focused. I won’t be turning over any carts anytime soon.” I rolled my eyes and looked away.

I was a fool to think I’d be able to get Aiden off of my mind. The whole time I talked about being reprimanded at work, I couldn’t help thinking how I’d met Aiden. I got quiet and stared down at my plate when my food was brought. How could I eat and have a good time when my heart was breaking inside? I smiled and nodded a lot and spoke when needed.

I was on my game when it came to faking things, but I still hadn’t touched my food ten minutes after its arrival.

“Is there something wrong with your food?” Rob gestured to my plate, and I took a deep breath and shook my head.

“Not at all.” I took a hearty sip of wine and a bite of my shrimp linguini. I couldn’t start falling apart now, especially when I’d tried so hard to put up a front.

“I was going to bring you to Soto’s, but I didn’t think you’d like it as much.” I remembered Aiden mentioning Soto’s and how he’d like to take my parents and me so he could meet them.

The idea of us having a nice family dinner had been a dream, one that would never come true, but I remember thinking how wonderful it would have been for us to have all sat down together as if the lawsuit had never happened. As if the accident had never happened, too. I wondered what Shawn and Allison would think of this mess. If we’d met through them instead of the way it had all turned out, would it be any different? Would we be together?

“I’ve heard of Soto’s. Aiden wanted to take me.” I don’t know why I mentioned his name but when I did, Rob’s expression fell, and then he recovered with a polite smile.

“You’re thinking of him, aren’t you?” His smile was a bit melancholy, and I felt another wave of guilt wash over me. I shouldn’t be leading him on.

“I can’t help it. Open wounds bleed, as you well know.” I twirled my noodles on my fork and took another sip of wine.

“Still fresh, then? I didn’t realize that was what was going on. I figured it was the settlement. I heard that your family didn’t get what they were asking. It was on the news, actually.” I was sure he added that last part so I wouldn’t wonder if he’d heard it through the gossip channel at work.

“Yeah, well, let’s not ruin a nice dinner going into details.”

“Agreed, but it’s not like we’re dining alone. I understand, you know. I had a tough relationship once, and I wasn’t ready to move on for a while. I’ll make a deal with you, though. When and if you’re ever ready to, you’ll let me know.” He patted my hand across the table and then took another bite.

“Deal.” I lifted my glass of wine, and he put down his fork, and we toasted. I felt a little off, but I was determined to enjoy the rest of our meal and our friendship.

“You know, I’m glad we did this.” He took another sip of wine. “It’s not often I get to sit down and eat unless I’m in the car. You know the last three meals I had I was standing up at the counter at my house.” We shared a laugh, and I knew exactly what he meant. There were times that even as a nurse I got too busy to eat and had a little sleep. It was nice talking to someone who I had something in common with.

We shared more of our quiet conversation about work, and in the end, he drove me back to my car, and we ended the night with a friendly hug. I pulled away from that embrace knowing there was only one man for me.

I got in my car and glanced down at my phone. I hadn’t pulled it out during dinner because I thought that was the tackiest thing anyone could do and I didn’t want to make Rob feel worse about how things were going.

As the screen illuminated, I saw that Aiden had tried to call and my heart skipped a beat.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Aiden

There was one thing about me: I could sleep anywhere. As a boy, my mother would find me in a random place, under a table, behind the couch, and even up under my bed. Mom would do her best to throw a blanket over me, but she never bothered to move me.

As I felt the heavy blanket fall across my arms, I imagined her there with me again, but then the reality of her being gone hit and I opened my eyes. Shoes. Not just any shoes, but the strappy heels I’d seen Lexa wear on more than one occasion were planted inches away. I turned my head and followed her long legs up, and she stepped back as I met her eyes.

“I didn’t mean to wake you, but you looked cold.” She walked to the closest chair and lowered herself to sit as I sat up, finding that I’d been passed out in another sea of bottles beside the sofa. There was

a spill on the Aubusson, and someone, probably Lexa, had thrown a paper towel over it. “The maid let me in. I saw where you called and-”

“I didn’t call.” I was certain I hadn’t drunk dialed her. I glanced around for my phone, and it wasn’t anywhere near me.

“Oh.” She stared down at her hands, which trembled. “I’m sorry, maybe you butt-dialed me. I’ve been waiting for you to wake up.”