Page 76 of Fixer for the Billionaire

"She's fine," Alton answers, his blue eyes drilling into me. "It's you who's not."

"Yeah," Killian chimes in. "And frankly, we can't take it anymore. The pining. The moping. We've let it go on for the last three years. But these past few days? Bro, you've been insufferable."

"Seriously," Derek adds. "You might as well be holding a sign that says 'I miss my main squeeze, please pity me'."

I feel a flush creeping up my neck. "Hey, it's not like that."

"Oh really?" Alton raises an eyebrow. "Because from where we're sitting, it looks a lot like that."

I take a deep breath. "Look guys, I appreciate your concern. But I'm fine."

They all exchange skeptical looks before Killian finally speaks up. "Okay, but we all just proved you're not. We had a plan."

I narrow my eyes. "What kind of plan?"

"A distraction," Alton answers with a smirk. "We wanted to see if you'd take the bait."

My stomach drops as I realize what they're suggesting. "Oh no, no way."

"Bribing Delilah to hit on you was easy," Derek says with a chuckle. "We just promised her an early signed copy of Danity's upcoming book. By the way, you owe us big time for that."

"But the important part is that you didn't take the bait," Killian says with a satisfied smile. "You didn't fall for it, which means you're not really interested in anyone else. Or even pretending anymore. No more rushing to get a date just to make Carmina jealous."

"And that's why we need to talk," Alton finishes.

I sigh and rub my temples. "God, it's like an intervention all over again."

The room falls eerily silent. Their faces are all business, a startling contrast to the laughter and music permeating the walls behind us.

"Oh, wait. You're serious?" I scan their faces—Derek's stern frown, Killian's attempts at sympathy, and Alton's impassive scrutiny. Panic flirts with my insides. "This is an intervention, isn't it? Fuck me."

Derek finally breaks the silence, his voice laced with that CEO authority he never seems to shelve. "Quentin, this is because we care?—"

"—And because we don't want you to do something remarkably stupid," Killian cuts in, never one to mince words.

Alton just raises an eyebrow, a silent command for me to sit and listen.

I slump further in the chair, preparing myself for the worst, already plotting a dozen escape routes.

Because, clearly, my love life is now subject to board approval. And from the looks on their faces, they've already made a decision.

"So, what are we talking about here?" I ask.

"Your love life," Killian says bluntly.

I roll my eyes. "Oh great, so now you're going to tell me how I should date? Thanks but no thanks."

Derek shakes his head. "We're not dictating your love life, Quentin. We just want to make sure you're not walking away from something good."

I scoff. "Since when am I known for doing that?"

Alton finally speaks up. "Since Carmina broke your heart."

My breath catches at the mention of her name. It's been over just about two days now, and the pain is still as raw as it was in that brightly-lit hospital hallway.

"So this is an intervention for my broken heart? Can't you guys just buy me some ice cream, maybe a cognac, and call it even?"

Derek gives me a stern look. "This is serious, Quentin. We all know you walk away when things get tough. And frankly, Carmina is not the kind of woman you walk away from."

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