Page 74 of Fixer for the Billionaire

Killian walks with me, leaning against the bar as I try to calm my racing thoughts.

"You okay, bro?" he asks, his voice barely audible over the loud music and chatter on the yacht. "You've been off since you got back in town. The boys and I are starting to worry."

I take a sip of my drink, hoping the alcohol will numb the ache in my chest. "Just tired," I mutter, not wanting to get into it with my cousin right now.

"No one's buying that excuse anymore, Q. We know you too well." He leans in. "What happened out there in California? You catch the flu? Get dumped by that actress you were seeing last year?"

"No, and no."

"Then what's going on?"

"Nothing. Just... work stuff. Trying to get past it and get in the party mood."

"Uh-huh," Killian says, raising an eyebrow. "More like killing the mood." He shakes his head, his nearly shoulder-length hair swishing with the motion. "You need to let loose tonight, Q. It's a party, not a funeral. If you keep scowling like that, you'll scare away even the possibility of a date."

"Thanks for the pep talk." I take a sip of my drink and glance around the yacht again.

"Who are you looking for?"

"No one."

"I get it. I do. You're here to celebrate love, not find it. Gotta admit, man. You pulled this party off like a pro."

I give him a half-hearted smile, grateful for his efforts to cheer me up.

"Besides," Killian continues, nudging my shoulder. "You never know who might catch your eye tonight. Maybe it's someone already here."

I know Killian well enough to recognize his "I'm up to something" tone. I look up just as he breaks into a grin. "Christ, Kill," I grunt. "What have you done this time? Please tell me you didn't sweet-talk some poor girl into coming here just to cheer me up."

"When have I ever done that?"

"Remember last New Year's Eve party? Or that blind date with the girl from your gym?"

"Oh, come on. That wasn't my fault. She said she was into fitness and so are you. I thought you'd be a good match."

"Yeah, but you forgot to mention her idea of 'fitness.' I spent the entire night trying to keep up with her intense workout routine. Three hours of CrossFit on a first date is not my idea of fun."

Killian grins, clearly amused. "Well, at least she got you moving."

"Yeah, towards the nearest sofa to collapse. I still have nightmares about that spin class she dragged me to."

Killian laughs. "Okay, okay, you got me there. But this time, I promise it's different. It's legit."

"Legit?"

"I may or may not have mentioned to a coworker that you were feeling down since you got back from San Fran, and she may or may not have offered to be your date. She's smart, funny, and definitely not your usual type."

"Killian, I appreciate the effort, but I'm not in the mood for a blind date tonight."

"Who said anything about a blind date?" He straightens, looking over my shoulder. "Now, fix that moping face. You planned this party. You deserve some fun. And here comes the fun now."

I turn and my heart skips a beat when I see who's walking towards us.

It's Delilah, my date from Ry and Jen's engagement party.

The one I told Carmina she didn't need to worry about.

"Killian," I whisper through gritted teeth. "You have some explaining to do."

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