Page 68 of The Billionaire's Ride

Why didI answer that call? Drew Blake Bonnaire is not an easy guy to forget. Since I’ve been home, he’s all I’ve thought about. Even my freaking toast at breakfast reminds me of his Welsh rarebit. He sounds so cute on the phone, joking like everything’s normal and fine. Well, nothing’s normal anymore. And it’s not fine. I practically woke up scratching my skin and quivering from the withdrawal of his . . . everything.

I close my laptop and push my chair away from the desk. There’s no way I’ll be able to focus on work now, which is wild because business has been taking off this week. I have a ton of meeting requests, including some in New York. All I wanted was for my company to be secured, and now that it’s beginning to thrive again, all I want is to be with the sexy Londoner in leather.

I keep telling myself that it will get easier as time goes on. Eventually, there will be enough distance between us that I can forget about his face, his touch, his kiss, his naked, tattooed body. But do I want to forget it?

Ugh, and now I’m irritated that he went out tonight without me? I bet he had a blast flirting with every gorgeous girl, getting back to his modelizing ways. A furious wave of jealousy streaksthrough me, and I clench my jaw, desperate to do something to feel in control again. I grab my phone.

KATE

Cocktails downtown at 7 p.m.?

GARRET

Yes, please!

BEAU

I’ll be there!

Perfect! Everything’s normal. Everything’s fine.

I think.

I change my outfit three times before I show up at the Sky Lounge about a quarter after seven. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you’re above all of your problems, which is exactly where I need to be tonight. Garret and Beau are already sipping cocktails at a table with a fantastic view overlooking the city. And Liz is with them too. Beau must’ve invited her.

“Look at us, two cities in one week,” Liz says, greeting me with air kisses.

Garret sips his cocktail, sporting a new hat. “We ordered you a martini.”

I take a seat and glance at the pretty drink in front of me, only to grimace. “Thanks. But I think I’m going to get one of those Moscow mules.” I don’t want anything that even looks like a martini or anything else I drank with Drew.

Beau shakes her head like she’s trying to understand my language. “That’s very hipster of you.”

I brush off her comment with a wave of my hand. “Just trying something different.”

“Okay . . .” Beau shoots me an uncertain stare as she sips her drink. She knows something’s up. The girl can read me like a book.

“So, what’s new with all of you?” I ask.

Beau flashes a tight-lipped smile. “Nothing.”

“Just work,” Liz says, tossing her red locks over her shoulder.

“Same old shit,” Garret says. “But, you didn’t invite us out for drinks to talk about us.”

“Yes, I did. We’re hanging out.” My pitch is a little too high to be believable.

My friends purse their mouths and stare me down withspill-iteyes. Even Liz knows I have something on my mind.

“Fine. It’s the guy.” I feel relieved to say it aloud.

“Your London lover?” Garret winks and nudges Beau with his arm.

“He called me earlier. It was the first time we talked since I left.”

“What did he say?” Beau asks, and my friends seem to huddle in, desperate for details.

I shrug. “He was just saying hi. Do you think he misses me? I mean, he wouldn’t have called me if he wasn’t thinking about me too, right?” I let out a nervous giggle, trying to sound like I haven’t been spending the last two hours overthinking the situation.

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