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Distraction, I mused. The word rang hollow in my ears, the sound of it leaving a bad taste on my tongue just thinking about it.

“So,” he said, bringing the back of my hands to his lips for a chaste kiss. “Where are you wining and dining me tonight?”

“You’re being so cheeky today, Vinny,” I noted, but I didn’t mind. Somewhere along the way, we’d both decided that going out together wouldn’t change the nature of our agreement.

But Vinny had… expensive taste. As he should, being a model who was internationally in demand. I supposed it was fine with me.

The money I spent would be negligible.

“I bought that Michelin-star restaurant down on fifth,” I said with a shrug. “I thought it might be fun to have you try their Italian food. You’d know best if my investment was worth it.”

His eyes lit up and he burst into a rush of Italian, too fast for me to keep up.

Maybe I was just too tired to keep up.

He let me be after that, his nose almost pressed to his phone as he smashed out text after text to his friends.

We arrived at the restaurant not long after, and Vinny practically buzzed with excitement. I bit back a smile.

“Reservation for Jones, Hayden,” I told the maître d' smoothly.

He glanced at his iPad before bowing us in.

We followed our waiter to the table while I lost myself in the delicate aromas wafting between the guests where they sat. The decor was minimal, tasteful yet undoubtedly exquisite.

“I didn’t know you bought Michelin-star restaurants,” Vinny murmured across the table, accepting the evening’s menu from our waiter.

I was surprised he remembered what I did atall.

“I’m not usually in the business of buying built-up brands,” I explained, glancing over the selection of dishes on the menu. “I prefer investing in smaller brands with a lot of potential and helping them grow.”

“Wouldn’t you make more money if you just bought the big brands that have all the bells and whistles?”

I smirked. “You’re not the first to ask me that.” I sighed. “And I doubt you’ll be the last. The answer is: I already have money. I’ve already built my empire. I’m in a unique position to help others realize that dream.”

“For a price,” he cut in.

I nodded, smiling sadly. “Everyone has a price.”

He frowned in concession. “It sounds so brutal,” he said, his vibrant eyes a little dim.

“It’s just business,” I told him. “Everyone needs money.”

“I think you’re a really good person,” he said suddenly and I blinked in surprise.

“What do you mean?”

He waved his hand around as if he could pull the words he was looking for from the air.

“You often talk like you’re this cold-hearted tycoon who only cares about making business deals,” he explained, and something in my gut twisted in discomfort. “But you’re just trying to help people. I think that’s wonderful.”

A breathless laugh slipped through my lips and I shook my head. “You’resofull of it today,” I accused lightheartedly, hoping he couldn’t hear the fractures in my heart splintering.

“Hey! I’m trying to be sincere here.” He chuckled, flashing me those perfect white teeth. “Could you just be open to compliments for once?”

In the split second after he spoke I saw the glimmer of mischief in his eyes and I leaned forward, grateful for the distraction he offered.

“Oh, if you want to compliment me, there arewaysto do it, sweetheart,” I crooned, dragging the tip of my nail over the back of his palm on the table.