Page 54 of The Billionaire's Ride

Kate blushes and combs her hair over her shoulder. “Sounds perfect.”

“I have to get back for the next show.” I lean in to kiss her soft cheek once more, lingering for a moment just to breathe in her floral scent. “I’ll see you tonight.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

KATE

“Damn, he’s hot,”Beau says, fanning her face after she rushes back the moment Drew leaves my side.

“Scorching,” Garret adds, and the three of us watch him walk away in his jeans and leather jacket.

She keeps her eyes glued to him but grabs my wrist. “He is totally into you. Like in love.”

I scoff. “No, he isn’t.”

“Yes, girl. I can tell. Did you see the way he looked at her?” Beau asks Garret for confirmation.

“Totally! He’s the leather to your leather. And speaking of lace, we have got to celebrate tonight. Everyone is going to be talking about Kate Golden Lingerie.”

“I can’t tonight,” I say. “I have a date.”

“Oooh,” Beau and Garret tease in unison.

Then I feel a hand on my shoulder, and I’m practically engulfed in designer cologne. “Pardon me, Kate.”

The three of us turn to the man dressed in a well-fitted, dark Armani suit complete with cufflinks. It’s the venture capitalist I met with on Monday.

“Mr. Evans,” I say with a bright smile.

“Please, call me Collin. That was really something,” he says, penetrating me with his dark eyes. I hope he’s seeing dollar signs. Twenty million of them.

“I’m glad you think so.” I maintain my friendly smile but take a step back.

“Yes, I’d like to continue the conversation. What do you say my colleague and I meet you for drinks this evening? We can celebrate.”

“Celebrate?” I ask, hopeful this means we’ll be closing this million-dollar deal.

“Yes, you had a fantastic show. And if all goes well, there may be more to celebrate.” Okay, that absolutely means they will make me an offer. Tonight! I freaking love London! “How’s six o’clock? We’ll meet you at the bar in your hotel.”

Of course he would suggest that when I’m finally meeting Drew at seven. Then again, if we meet at the hotel bar, I could easily meet Drew at eight. Who knows? I might be closing two deals tonight. “That sounds great. I’ll meet you there.”

“Brilliant. See you then,” he says and heads off.

I turn back to my friends with a goofy grin. “Did you hear that? Drinks with the VCs? Is this day for real?”

“Of course it is!” Beau says. “And you’re the one who made it happen.”

“You know what this means, right?” Garret says, and we turn to him with curious expressions. “Kate Golden is back!”

I open my arms and bring them both in. We crash into one other in a smooshy group hug. I breathe a sigh of relief. It’s all happening. Finally, my life and my business are turning around. Everything’s going to be okay.

Later that evening after a well-earned nap, a shower, and fresh makeup, I slink back into my stage dress from the show. It’s elegant and sexy and will translate perfectly from drinks with the financiers to dessert with the bad boy photographer. I’ve got two hours to seal this business-saving deal before Drew arrives.

I grab my pearl-studded clutch and head to the bar a few minutes early. Collin Evans is already waiting there with what looks like a scotch. And he’s alone.

“Hi, Collin,” I say, and sit beside him.

“Kate, lovely to see you again.” Collin leans in for a friendly cheek-to-cheek air kiss. Very friendly. Then again, this is Europe.

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