‘So did I.’

‘Thank you for listening. It’s really helped. I feel like I can think more clearly. And you’re right. I need to jump off the treadmill because it isn’t working. It’s as though I’m running as hard as I can to maintain a status quo that can no longer exist.’ So she needed a new Ava Casseveti—a new persona. Needed to do something different, eye-catching... ‘I’ve got it!’

‘Tell me.’

There it was again, the deep voice, the genuine interest that seemed to caress her skin.

‘A fundraiser. A glamorous, glitzy fundraiser. I’ll call in some markers in the showbiz world. I’ll ask the Brunettis, I’ll ask the staff, I’ll use my aristocratic connections. Raise shedloads of money for charity. If Dolci goes under at least I’ll have done something good that I believe in.’

‘That’s a brilliant idea.’

‘You really think so?’

‘Really.’

‘So how about we do it together? It would give us something to focus on. We could promote it together, organise it together as a “couple”.’ And with any luck they could somehow transform all the sexual tension into an energy to create an amazing event. ‘You can ask your clients and Ray Beaumont.’

He smiled. ‘It’s a great idea. Let’s do it. First things first. What shall we fundraise for? What is a cause that means a lot to you?’

‘I want to raise money for disaster victims and raise awareness about climate change. Given how many natural disasters there have been recently, fires, tornadoes and the devastation caused, I’d like to help.’

‘Agreed.’

Sudden excitement fizzed in her, not only for the project, but because Liam hadn’t dismissed her idea. Instead he’d encouraged it and she couldn’t help but beam at him. And as she did her gaze took him in: the swell of muscle in his upper arm, the sheer masculine beauty of his strong, capable hands, the... Stop!

From now on it needed to be venues, ticket prices, food and canapés all the way

. However hard that was going to be.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

A week later

LIAM DISCONNECTED FROM the call and found himself whistling. This was all coming together. His relationship with Ava had definitely garnered a positive response from clients. He hadn’t been so crass as to highlight it to anyone, but there had certainly been sufficient press interest and, of course, the invitations to the fundraiser clinched it.

Rita popped her head round the door. ‘You sound happy.’

‘I am. That was Ray Beaumont on the phone, accepting the invite. That has to be a good sign that we are back on a level playing field.’

‘That is excellent.’ Rita glanced at him. ‘Is that the only reason you’re happy?’

‘Of course.’

Rita raised her eyebrow. ‘Don’t let Ava hear you say that. I saw the photos of both of you at Lady Mannering’s ball yesterday. Mixing with aristocracy and celebrities—you both looked very happy. I’m glad for you, Liam.’

‘Yes.’ Rita’s words took the whistle from his lips, a reminder that all of this was a campaign. A successful one but one that presented an illusion to the world. The smiles for the camera, practised and fake. At the end of each evening he dropped Ava home, made plans for the next day and discussed the fundraiser before heading home. ‘Thank you,’ he added.

‘I came to tell you that Ava called whilst you were on the phone. She is on her way over.’

Liam frowned. They had no plans for today, which could mean a glitch.

Five minutes later Rita ushered Ava in and, with a small finger-wave, departed.

‘Is everything OK?’

‘Yes and no.’ Ava looked perturbed and more than a touch annoyed. ‘Emily called me.’ Ava’s best friend. ‘Apparently a reporter called her, one of the more scurrilous ones, asking questions, about our “authenticity”.’

‘Meaning?’

Tags: Nina Milne Billionaire Romance
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