Page 59 of The Rebel Billionaire

Charlie made a sound that was half laugh and half sigh. "You know you're a dinosaur, right? You're letting the world leave youbehind."

"I like my world just how it is, young lady." William was at least self-aware enough to give her a gentle smile. Still ignoring me, he said, "So, is this your new business? You're going to rehab houses and sell them? There's good investment value in the Highlands. But you really should live in Winters House. This place looks like it's going to fall down around your ears. And it's in the Highlands. Sourban."

He shook his head again. I bit back a laugh. Only a man like this, clearly born with a platinum spoon in his mouth, would call the Virginia Highlands area of Atlanta 'urban' in thatsnottytone.

Most of the houses around us were well over a million dollars. Both Charlotte's and mine had originally been under the million-dollar mark, but when they were done, they too would be worth a lot more. The neighborhood was diverse and the location was ideal, but it was expensive. Veryexpensive.

"You think anything that's not an estate in Buckhead is urban," Charlie said and sipped her coffee. "You're such a snob, UncleWilliam."

I don't know how she managed to be both exasperated and affectionate. I wanted to shove the guy right out thebackdoor.

"Do you want a tour?" sheasked.

William let his eyes roam the house, stepping out into the hall so he could see the front rooms. His gaze lingered on the pile of drop cloths, the heater, the scrapers we'd been using in the living room, and the caution tape Charlie had tacked across the front door. He shookhishead.

"You can show me around when it's finished,sweetheart."

"Okay," she agreed. "Are you seeing Aidentoday?"

"Forlunch.Yes."

"You going to give him a lecture about getting me in hand?" Charlie asked with a cheekysmile.

William shook his head with the same mixture of exasperation and affection I'd seen on Charlie's face a minute before. Stepping forward to kiss the top of her head, he said, "I was planning onit,yes."

"Why don't you tell Aiden to find himself a real girlfriend so he can get his own hostess?" sheasked.

William turned for the back door as he said, "That's also onmylist."

"Good, then you can bug him insteadofme."

Standing in the open doorway, William faced Charlie. His eyes flicked to mine and back to her. Quietly, he said, "I know I annoy you children with my out-of-date expectations and my nagging. But your parents are gone, and I'm only trying to stand in for them as bestIcan."

He left, firmly shutting the door behind himself. Charlie stared after him, the gleam of tears in her ocean blue eyes and a bereft expression on her face. She wiped the tears away with the back ofherhand.

"I'm sorry he was so rude," she said, not meeting my eyes. "He really is a dinosaur. He doesn't seem to get that it's not okay to be such a snob. Jacob is so mad at him. If William doesn't apologize soon, Jacob may never speak to him again. He's crazy in love with Abigail, and from what I heard, William said some things. Abigailoverheard. . ."

She shook her head. "I wasn't there, but everyone said it was ugly. Anyway, he was our parents’ best friend. My parents’ and my aunt and uncle's. He's been there for us our whole lives. It was bad enough when Uncle James and Aunt Anna died, but when myparents. . ."

She trailed off again before finishing. "Aiden was just in college and it was so much, between the company and the press. Annalise and Holden and Tate and I were so young. We couldn't have gotten through it without William. But I'm sorry he was suchadick."

"Don't worry about it, Princess. He didn't bother me. Once he realizes I'm not going to be around long-term, he won't botherbeingrude."

Charlie's back went stiff and she looked away. She didn't like the reminder that we weren't reallytogether.

If I were being honest, my gut clenched a little when Isaidit.

We both needed to remember this was temporary, especially after that little scene with William. I wasn't her kind of people. If William had been an asshole to Abigail, who had a sterling pedigree until she married John Jordan, he would go completely ape shit if he thought there was any possibility of a real relationship between Charlie and me, so it was a good thing therewasn't.

She was convenient sex and thatwasit.

That didn't mean I liked the hurt look onherface.

Before I could open my mouth and say something to take that look away, something that would erase my earlier words and make us forget reality, I made an excuse about work, reminded her to set the alarm behind me,andleft.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

CHARLIE