Page 93 of Billionaire Bad Boy Auction

“Not a bad thing,” I said, my tone softer than I intended. “Some places have a hold on you.”

“I’m surprised you never left,” she said. “I imagined you would have run fast and far.”

I chuckled. “Thought about it. But I needed to be here for Seth. And then I bought the shop, started selling custom bikes, and there was no reason to go. I guess I never felt the need to run. I like it here.”

“I think I’m okay with it now. Coming back, I mean. It doesn’t feel like settling anymore.”

“Good. Because settling isn’t your style.”

As we ate, I watched her, learning all the little nuances.

“I’m proud of you, you know,” I said suddenly.

Portia paused, her taco halfway to her mouth. “What brought that on?”

I shrugged again. “Just thinking. You’re killing it in this town. And I get a front row seat.”

A blush crept up her neck. “Even after that ridiculous article?”

“Especially after that article.” I leaned forward. “Portia, they did the heavy lifting for you. Free marketing. Now everyone’s talking about your new brokerage.”

She tilted her head, considering. “When you say it like that…”

“Exactly.” I stole a piece of calamari from her plate, grinning when she swatted at my hand. “Let them talk. You’ll have the last laugh when you’re outselling every other agent in the county.”

The tension in her shoulders eased, and she raised her beer. “To proving people wrong.”

I clinked mine against hers. “To proving people wrong.”

“Don’t you find it weird that this journalist is all over me?” she asked.

“Do you know who she is?”

“No, should I?”

“She’s got a thing going with Seth,” I said. “And when I say thing, that’s all I know. It’s complicated. I don’t know what her angle is. She’s nothing like him.”

“I don’t want to sound like a snob, but this is giving jealous vibes,” she said.

“Jealous vibes?” I echoed.

“It’s a girl thing.” She shrugged. “It’s the nitpicking. Trying to tear someone down. Mean girl bullshit. I don’t know the woman. But clearly, she knows me or wants to know me.”

“Could be. Seth’s not exactly open about his personal life, but she’s been sniffing around you a lot more than anyone else trying to make it in this town. It’s suspicious.”

“Do you think she’s trying to undermine me? Or is she worried I’m going to go after Seth?”

“My turn to sound like a snob, but I don’t think it’s Seth she really wants.”

She grinned. “Aha! Now, it all makes sense. She wants you and that’s why she is trying to tear me down.”

“All speculation, but I think it’s an angle. That, and she’s just a rotten human. I’ll take care of it. She’s done enough. I’m going to let her know she needs to stop.”

“I can handle myself,” she said firmly, though her smile told me she appreciated the sentiment.

“I know you can,” I replied. “But you don’t have to.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that, but let’s let things settle. If she keeps going, then maybe. But like you said, she’s giving me lots of free advertisement.”