Page 78 of Not the Billionaire

“What things?”

“I don’t want to spoil anything,” Skylar said, “but you’ll see him at the gala tonight.”

She breathed out with relief. That was exactly what she needed to hear. She’d been so worried after he took off and after not being able to get ahold of him all day. If he’d only told her that he wouldn’t be able to make it to the race, she would have understood. What was he taking care of? She wondered what he might be planning? Was it something for her? Suddenly, she was even more excited to see what the evening held.

All the boats traveling across the water were a beautiful sight, and seeing the sailing teams in action was amazing. When she’d decided to arrange this regatta, she’d actually never been to one herself. She’d heard about them and knew they were a big draw, which was why she’d gone with this. But the disappointment over not sharing the day with Kurtis eclipsed any happiness she felt over watching the regatta from the comfort of a seventy-foot yacht.

When they reached land again, Genevieve checked to make sure all the details were set for the evening’s event. The place looked amazing. The team of volunteers she had assembled were already arriving and ready to meet the caterer and band and direct people where they needed to be. Kurtis had insisted she leave those details to others who were capable so she could go get ready. It was smart. If she hadn’t done that, she would most definitely be rushing around, organizing, going over her list, even though everything was crossed off by now. She needed this time. She wanted to walk into that building and see the look on Kurtis’s face. It made her giddy just thinking about it.

As she was about to turn the corner and head down the hallway toward the exit, she heard Sebastian’s voice. He was standing by the doors with a tall blonde woman whose back was to her, and they seemed to be in a serious conversation. Both were dressed and ready for the gala—he in an expensive looking suit and she in a gown that looked like it was straight from Calvin Klein or some other high end designer.

“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea,” Sebastian told her. “They don’t want me here. I told you what my dad said. It’s not good for the company for me to be seen at functions right now.”

“But if you truly want to be part of the business, you have to show them that you’re changing. Don’t run away.”

“I don’t know. Now that we’re here, I kind of wish we’d just stayed on the beach in Malibu.”

Genevieve felt a little bit like a stalker standing just around the corner, listening to them, and not making her presence known.

“But you agreed with me eight hours ago. I flew all the way here to be with you for this,” the woman said as she rotated her body, revealing her face.

Genevieve held in a gasp. Adelia Allen? She had no idea Sebastian knew her. Adelia was one of Genevieve’s favorite actresses and basically Hollywood royalty—the daughter of Hugh Allen and Cora Roberts, both Oscar winners, and the highest paid couple in the movie business. Genevieve wasn’t normally one to be a fangirl, but she really wanted to rush toward her and tell her just how much she loved her movies. Instead, she watched as Adelia took Sebastian’s hand and started leading him down the hallway.

“This is the first step, okay. Don’t second-guess yourself. Just remember what we talked about. Show them you want this. One step at a time.”

Genevieve was about to move into the hallway and introduce herself, when Adelia spoke again.

“I believe in you, Gus. I always have, and I always will.”

“Thanks, Deals.”

Genevieve took a few steps back so she wouldn’t be seen. Maybe Adelia had misspoken. But then she heard another voice greet them.

“Well, Augustus Schultz, I didn’t think we’d be seeing you here today.”

“Hello, Mrs. Middlebury.”

As the three of them chatted, Genevieve’s back hit the brick wall behind her. Her heart and mind were racing. Augustus? This makes no sense. Why would he tell me he was Sebastian if he wasn’t?

Her mind jumped from thought to thought. Maybe they’re twins. Maybe that’s not the man I met. Then she began to piece together conversations. The gossip about Gus at work. Skylar so worried for her brother. Then his drunkenness on the Fourth of July rushed back to her. Kurtis had to know that Gus was not Sebastian. Why would he let her believe that he was?

Kurtis had lied to her!

She wasn’t sure how long she stood there before she finally pulled out the iPhone Kurtis had given her and did a search for Augustus Schultz. There were headlines galore about the playboy brother of the Schultz family and his many escapades and brushes with the law, including the paparazzi photos the ladies at the office had been gossiping about—ones of Gus in some guy’s face and another of him falling over drunk outside a bar.

She scanned through other photos until she noticed a familiar face. Her heart skipped a beat as she took in the photograph of Kurtis standing between Skylar and Augustus at a past fundraising event. Only, the caption told an entirely different story.

“Skylar, Sebastian, and Augustus Schultz at this year’s Schultz Foundation fundraiser.”

She dropped her phone onto the floor, making a loud crack. Luckily, she had that protective case or it definitely would’ve shattered the screen.

Kurtis is Sebastian?

The pounding of her heart was loud in her ears, and her eyes burned with tears as she bent down to pick up her phone. Another hand reached for it at the same time, and she looked up into the eyes of Augustus Schultz.

“Hey, Genevieve.” As he lifted her phone to hand it to her, his eyes fell on the image on the screen before darting up to meet hers. “I can explain.”

Genevieve snatched the phone from his hand and stood, pushing past him as she made a beeline for the exit.

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