Page 64 of Billion-Dollar Dating Game

Of course she’d meant herself. And of course he’d stood like a stone.

But while he didn’t feel the same, she couldn’t believe what they’d shared wasnothing. They had a real connection—more than their shared past, more than the undeniable sexual chemistry. He just didn’t want it to last. And fine. But that didn’t stop her holding her breath, hoping and wishing. Checking her phone. But no matter how long she stared at it, he didn’t message her.

She couldn’t—and wouldn’t—wait for ever.Shehad to move forward too. But it would be in a different way to him. She’d worked so hard and been so loyal to everyone elsebutherself for too long. She’d not blossomed in all these years—she’d been blinkered.

She needed time away to figure out and focus on the things shecouldattain—otherthan Zane himself. And there was much—the travel she’d not done. She needed to explore all the other beaches, see all the other amazing buildings in the world. And she could—because she had money saved. All that money to buy her father a better house and she hadn’t been able to because he’d passed too soon. All the money sitting there because she’d not spoiled herself. Not gone anywhere.

Then there were the job opportunities she’d not explored—heck, maybe she’d go for a whole career change. She owed it to herself to reach for the life she wanted. The one she’d not taken true hold of... She could get excited about that. She could make something more for herself. And she would be okay.

She picked up her phone and adjusted some settings so there’d be no point in looking forlornly at it any more.

And on Monday morning it was time to move.

It was appallingly easy for them to accept her resignation. For her to gather the few personal things she had in her desk. She didn’t even need a box. Then she got on the bus heading east, the route familiar and slow. She’d do her farewell tour.

And then she’d be free.

Zane waited at reception, his back turned to that portrait of Reed Helberg. Cleared his throat. Checked his watch. Adjusted his collar. Ignored the dagger looks the receptionist shot him every other interminable second. It was Bernie who finally appeared. Zane saw his face and was hit by a bad really feeling.

‘Where is she?’ Zane asked as soon as Bernie was within earshot.

She’d blocked his number. When he’d tried calling her from an alternate phone she still hadn’t picked up. He’d gone to her apartment and she wasn’t home. Not during the day. Not late at night. She wasn’t around.

‘She’s finished up. Gone away.’

‘Gonewhere?’

Surely not. It was only Tuesday. She wouldn’t walk out on her job without giving due notice. That wasn’t Skylar’s way. But maybe she’d really wanted to get away.

While that was terrifying, it also fuelled him. Because it meant she was upset. And not all about her job.

The old guy looked at him with total disappointment in his eyes. ‘I think she leaves the country in a couple of days.’

Zane had to take a moment. ‘So where is she now? You really don’t know?’

‘No. I’m sorry.’

Zane believed him. Because while she considered these guys family, she didn’t open up to them. It was like she was still shut away in her room upstairs, looking out the window at the world. Still lonely.

He spent an hour wondering where the one place she’d go before leaving the country for a while might be. And then it was obvious.

He drove himself—tearing back down the very road he’d driven only the day before. Back to Belhaven Bay. He drove past the site where their old building complex had been. He went to the beach. He went to the cafe. It was only when he happened to drive past the cemetery on his way to their old school that he slammed on the brakes. He’d almost missed her sitting on that park bench in the middle of the memorial gardens.

He took in a couple of steadying breaths before getting out of the car. He had to be so careful. She wanted to travel and he refused to stand in the way of her doing something she really wanted for herself. But he didn’t want her to leave without being honest with her. He owed her that. He owed himself too. So he would control himself here. But at least she would know she was loved. That she meant so very much to him.

And he would accept whatever happened.

She glanced up when he approached. Paled. Her hair was in a messy ponytail and her eyes red-rimmed.

‘You’ve left Helberg,’ he said.

‘I have a lot of holidays owed so I was able to leave with immediate effect,’ she said. ‘I’m going to travel. Sit on some other beaches. Run at some other parks. Figure out what I really want in my future.’

He nodded. ‘That sounds great.’

She stood but didn’t move closer, just hesitated with her arms wrapped around her waist. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘I...uh... I wanted to tell you...’ His throat was scratchy and he swallowed, finding it almost impossible to speak.

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