Page 66 of The Billionaire Mismatch

“Sorry. I wish you were here.”

“If I were there, you wouldn’t be there because Luca wouldn’t be there,” she says.

“True,” I say, taking another sip.

“So where is Luca, anyways?” she asks.

“Working,” I say. “Introductory meeting, I think. He told me to hang out until he gets back. So that’s what I am doing. Hanging out.”

“Well, just don’t forget why you’re there,” she says.

Ah yes. The plot. Pesky little thing.

“I haven’t forgotten anything,” I say. “We are going out tonight. I am dating him. Going along with everything.”

“Are you?” she asks. “Because in some ways it feels like you’re dating him.”

“I am dating him,” I say. “I’m supposed to be dating him.”

“No. You’re supposed to be letting him believe you are dating so when he puts his guard down you can squash him like a bug,” she says. I can’t help the sigh that escapes my throat. I know she hears it. “You’re still going along with the plan, right?”

“Currently, I am having a cocktail by the pool,” I say. “I’m following his lead, just like we talked about.”

“As long as his lead doesn’t lead you to the bedroom where you’ll forget why we are doing this,” she says.

I’m a little annoyed when Sadie talks about the Luca and Livv situation now. She’s my best friend. I know I’m supposed to be exposing the catfish of the dating world, but I’m not so sure Luca is one. And I’m getting a little tired of being told how to feel.

“I promise that if he is an ass, I will expose it,” I say.

“You mean when he is an ass,” she corrects me, and I bite my lip.

No. I meant if.

“So, what’s the plan for tonight?” she asks.

“Dinner,” I say.

“Where?” she presses, and I laugh a little.

“I don’t know.”

“Is it fancy? Low key? Business? Private?”

“Sadie,” I stop her. “I don’t know. I didn’t ask. If I press too much, he’s going to know something is up. Right now, I am just going with the flow. I’ll let you know where we end up, what kind of place it is, how many people are there, even what I order for dinner if you want.”

“Okay, okay,” she sighs. “Sorry. I’m just jealous, I guess.”

I smile empathetically. “I know. And I’m sorry. I’ll bring you a gift,” I offer.

“Like a sexy man, about six-three, with an impossibly sharp jawline and money to burn on his adoration for me?” she asks.

“I was thinking a shot glass or a shell necklace, but I’ll do my best,” I say, and she lets out another sigh.

“Fine. Just don’t forget about me,” she says.

“Never,” I promise.

We hang up, and I go back to basking in the sun. It’s amazing how easy it is to leave the world behind you in a place like this. After my drink is empty and my skin is adequately sun-kissed, I make my way back up to the hotel to shower. I have no idea what Luca has in store for tonight, but based on everything else, I have no doubt it’s going to be over the top.