Page 67 of The Billionaire's Assistant

“You have seething to do here or moping or both. I know how you are when things don’t go your way.”

“You make it sound like I’m some fucking spoiled little brat.”

Carter grinned. “I mean….”

“Goddammit.”

“Let’s get out of here.”

I reluctantly stood. Carter was right that I wasn’t going to get any work done.

We headed to a diner a few blocks away. It had been there since the forties, and they had the best pancakes I’d ever eaten.

Carter and I found a booth, asked for coffee—not my usual quality, but since they didn’t serve brunch cocktails here, I’d have to make do—and ordered pancakes for me, and eggs, sausage, and hash browns for him.

Once the waitress walked away, Carter met my gaze. I knew that look of determination in his eyes. He wasn’t going to relent until I’d spilled everything.

“Ben’s the one who’s hurting. I’m just the asshole who fucked up. If you want to do some good today, you should be talking to him, not me.”

Carter snorted. “You don’t look like you’re doing too well yourself. I think you need to talk. You know I’m not the best at this, but you’ve listened to me through a hell of a lot, and I want you to know I’m here for you.”

I sighed. “I know that, and I appreciate it, but I don’t think Ben has anyone he can talk to. I think his family kept him isolated, and he was scared to make friends once he moved out. In a family like that, friends become targets.”

“Yeah. I know a little bit about that. It’s not the same but….”

“It’s similar enough to your situation. I knew you’d understand.”

“Hang on.” Carter pulled out his phone and made a call. “Ford…I’ve got a favor to ask…Ben needs someone to talk to. He doesn’t have anyone, not like us…Right. I thought he’d be more comfortable with you since he’s met you several times…Okay. Thanks.”

He ended the call and focused on me again. “Ford’s going to take Ben to lunch.”

“Ben will assume I sent him.”

“Maybe, but you know how good Ford is at talking people around.”

I rolled my eyes. “Right. There’s a damn good reason he’s an attorney.”

“Now, instead of worrying about Ben. Why don’t you tell me what the hell you did to piss him off.”

I glared at him. “What do you think I did?”

Carter whistled. “I could go through a very long list, or you could just narrow it down and tell me.”

“I had him followed and gave him false information to test him.”

“And he found out?”

“He overheard me on the phone with Frank.”

“He would’ve eventually found out if you kept this up.”

“I know. Ford told me to tell him, but how was I supposed to do that? It didn’t matter how or when it came out, it was always going to be the same result. He was going to decide this was all a setup. He thinks everything was just a game to me. He thinks….”

“That you used him.”

I nodded. “But he lied to me too.” I sounded petulant as hell.

“True, but you had all the power.”

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