Page 60 of The Billionaire Mismatch

And we are really doing this right now.

“Five hundred million strong,” I say. Am I actually making small talk with her? Problematically, I don’t want to come off as a complete ass because if I do, we all know who she’s going to report back to.

“Yes. And the messaging app. Real Talk?” she goes on.

“Yes. You’re familiar?” I ask, taking a sip of my coffee.

“I use it!” she says. “I’m back in the dating scene,” she says, fluttering her lashes and flicking her hair over her shoulder.

“Back in it? Nasty break-up recently?” I ask. Not that I care.

“You’re funny,” she says with a smile that says otherwise. “You’ve always been funny.”

Have I?

Alright. I did my due diligence. It’s time to cut this off.

“Listen, Sadie, I have to get back to the office–”

“I heard you’re seeing someone.”

There it is. I lock my eyes on hers in an attempt to peel back enough layers to figure out what she’s up to. It’s difficult with allthe makeup she’s wearing, but I know there’s something going on under there.

So I tread very carefully. Like a tip-toe through the tulips. Tulips peppered with landmines.

“I’ve been dating, yes,” I say.

“Right…” she says. I don’t know if she knows that I know.

What has my life become?

“Is it getting serious?” she presses.

I think about the direction my answer to that question might go. Obviously, whatever I say will get back to Olivia. So, I respond accordingly.

“I’m not seeing anyone else if that’s what you’re asking.”

There. That feels like a safe, honest answer. Did I say I was in love? No. Did I say it was serious? Not exactly. But I also safe-guarded myself from looking like a fuckboy, which I know she’s trying to peg me with.

Whether or not Olivia is up to anything, her friend is nuts. Plain and simple.

“Interesting. So you’ll be taking her on the retreat then,” she says, and my eyes narrow.

“Retreat?”

“The trip to Miami,” she says, and I suddenly remember what she’s referring to. The annual trip to Florida, where we meet up with sister companies, discuss our growth, and party for the rest of the weekend.

“Right,” I nod. “And yes. I am taking her with me. But she doesn’t know yet. I wanted to surprise her.”

Something flashes in her eyes behind the smile that I now recognize as fake. “A surprise. How sweet. I’m sure Li–she–will love that.”

I have to bite back a smirk. She almost blew her cover.

Then, because I have no reason to play this game any longer, I leave her with one more statement. The rules are changing, and I’m calling the shots.

“Yes. I think Olivia will be very excited,” I say. And with that, I walk off, wishing it wouldn’t be petty to look back at her reaction.

Chapter 20