Page 49 of The Boss Situation

“Why’s that?” I ask.

“Billie’s my new assignment, thanks to the shitstormyoustarted.” He says casually, but I can see the frustration flickering in his eyes, like a storm brewing on the horizon.

“I didn’tstartanything,” I reply, gulping down more Revenge, the bitter taste igniting a fire in my belly. “I was offered a contract and took it. You both would’ve done the same. Three billion dollars is a lot to walk away from.”

Easton tilts his head at me. “I thought it was never about the money.”

“Isn’t that what we all say? Considering you’re CEO of Calloway Diamonds, deep down, you know italwaysleads back to the bottom line. Doesn’t it?”

His eyes narrow, and for a brief moment, I think he questionswhether he knows who I am—like he’s trying to remember the last time I didn’t stir up trouble.

Before Brody can say anything, Harper steps up behind him. She sighs heavily when our eyes meet; her irritation with me is obvious.

“Asher,great! I can’t believe I made a stupid bet with Weston. You’re seriously the very last person I wanted to see tonight. Or ever. And I’ve dated some awful guys before,” she says, hands on her hips, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She mumbles something under her breath that sounds like a curse.

“You three are the dumbest smart people I know. And let me be clear: the contract with Lustre isn’t personal.” I make eye contact with each of them.

“You saying it’s not personal is total bullshit,” Harper tells me, though there’s no real anger in her voice. “The nerve you have to …” Her words trail off, and her expression changes.

Everyone facing me wears the same look. I turn, glancing over my shoulder, and that’s when my eyes land on Billie. It’s as if time slows down.

“You’d better be glad she showed up and saved our asses. Now we don’t owe Weston a thing,” Harper says, exchanging high fives with Easton and Brody.

I’m momentarily speechless.

As they celebrate, I realize Weston genuinely thought Billie wouldn’t show up. That’s why he made that bet with them. He’d have pocketed $600,000 from three handshakes.

“Did you know she’d be here?” I ask.

Easton glances at me. “No. Weston was way too cocky when he said she wasn’t coming. Sometimes, I get lucky and prove him wrong. Like right now.”

I can’t take my eyes off Billie as she turns toward the door. She bats her long lashes while speaking to someone who hasn’t stepped into view yet. One side of her dark hair is pulled back, revealing thesoftness of her neck and shiny diamond earrings. Her plump lips are painted a deep red, and I can’t look away.

She’s captivating.

“Wow,” Harper whispers. “She finally wore it.”

“What isit?” Easton asks.

“It’s a vintage Christian Stambolian dress that’sveryiconic. It was worn in the ’90s by a royal and has been nicknamed the Revenge Dress. I find it interesting that she chose to wear it tonight.”

The black dress is tight and fitted, hanging off one shoulder. It shows just the right amount of skin while somehow staying classy. The silk fabric highlights every perfect curve of her body.

Fuck.She knew exactly what she was doing when she slipped that on.

Billie’s gaze meets mine, and she locks in on me. A ghost of a fucking smirk touches her lips as she reaches out her hand, pullinghimtoward her.

Prince Louis.

Give me a fucking break.

My jaw tightens as annoyance washes over me.

Harper gasps beside me. “Okay, I didn’t see that coming.”

Brody’s and Easton’s faces turn serious as the future king’s bodyguards slide into the room, blending in like they belong. I glance at Weston; he looks just as shocked as everyone else, and I know it’s real. No one expected this.

“Now, that’s how you grab attention,” I say, heading back to the bar for another drink, needing to drown out the noise.

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