Page 120 of The Boss Situation

“I didn’t tell them,” he says.

“I know. Thank you. I’m sick of it. I would’ve never told Easton to stay away from Lexi. I wouldn’t have dared to tell Weston not to pursue Carlee. But they don’t respect me in the same manner.”

“It’s not that,” he replies.

I swear this elevator is being hand-cranked; it’s going so slow.

“Asher’s in a dangerous situation with Lustre. Being around Asher publicly could be unsafe for him. Do you understand? You’re putting him at risk. And if anything happens to you I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. That’s not what you want.” He shakes his head, frustration etched across his face. “Let Asher do his job. Don’t distract him.”

My brows knit tightly together. “I—I didn’t?—”

“Yeah, I know you didn’t think about that. Stop being a selfish brat for once and listen.Fuck.”

The door jolts open, and Brody storms out. I can’t remember the last time he snapped at me, but it’s not the first. Sometimes, he’s the only one who can get through to me.

I hold my head up high, forcing myself to keep performing for the public. I set my shoulders back and raise my chin. This event is now my runway as I walk through the foyer to the reception hall.

I scan the room and find Louis laughing with a large group of people. I grab a glass of champagne, downing half of it in one gulp, and Harper walks up to me, looping her arm in mine.

“Everything okay?” she whispers.

“It will be,” I tell her. “One day.”

She takes a step back, her head tilted. A small smile meets her lips, and then it grows wide. “Oh my God.”

“Don’t.”

She searches my face. “You’re in love with him.”

I breathe out, knowing I can’t deny it.

“How can I help?” she asks.

Harper has always had my best interest in mind. It goes both ways.

“Please help me avoid Asher publicly. We can’t be around each other.”

“Why?” she asks.

“It’sbadfor business,” I tell her, repeating what Banks said to mein the Hamptons. “It’s very important that everyone believes Louis and I are together.”

“I’m on it,” she says, turning me around toward the crowd. “Go to your prince. He’s over there.”

“Thank you,” I tell her.

She gently pushes me forward. “You’ve got this, Ice Queen.”

I move forward, joining Louis with a grin. He interlocks his fingers with mine, and everyone around us notices the affection.

“I missed you,” Louis says genuinely as I finish my glass of champagne and grab another one.

“I missed you too,” I repeat back.

I meet his eyes, remembering what Brody said and what Asher asked of me. I lean in closer, and he tries to steal a kiss, but it lands on my cheek. Imustdo this.

“Aww,” one of the women says. “The two of you are absolutely stunning together.”

“Thank you,” Louis states, his green eyes shining with pride. “She’s my diamond.”

---