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“You’resodamn frustrating,” Billie sneers. “He’ll have a mocha, large, with two percent milk and one raw sugar. Extra hot because he loves to make my life a living hell,” Billie instructs the barista.
The barista rings it up, and Billie swipes her card.
“How did you know what I order?” I ask, genuinely shocked.
“I know a lot about you,” she mutters, not bothering to look my way as she moves across the room, away from me.
The barista glances at me, head tilted in curiosity, and I let out a sigh.
This is exhausting. My goal is to breakherdown, not the other way around.
13
BILLIE
“Earl Grey. Calloway,” the barista calls.
I step up, grab my tea, and take a seat at the table by the large windows. I’ve got ten minutes to kill while my brothers finish their meetings.
My phone buzzes in my pocket just as Banks picks up his coffee from the bar. I meet his warm gaze and instantly wish I’d kept pretending he didn’t exist. Not that it would’ve worked. The distinct scent of him envelops me as he moves closer and takes the chair across from me.
“Goaway.” I focus on my phone, reading a text notification.
It’s Prince Louis’s reply to the picture of the new sign I texted him before I left the office.
Prince Louis and his PR team are working overtime to sell our love story. I don’t want them blindsided by the cheating love-triangle rumor that Banks is determined to sell to the public.
While it doesn’t serve the prince,Ican definitely work this angle.
Being seen with Banks and then having him announce his partnership with Lustre was last week’s news. After the photos of the prince and me kissing on Saturday went viral, I’ve beendrowning in positive press. It’s boosting my image, even if it’s just a temporary fix. When I woke up this morning, I considered it a win—one Banks is refusing to let me have.
This Monday is already shaping up to be a fresh hell, and it’s not even lunchtime.
Louis
Please tell that bloody prick it would be in his best interest to piss off.
I snap a photo of Banks sitting in front of me and text back.
Billie
I’ll let him know right away. Anything else you want me to pass along?
“Excuse me?” Asher leans forward and snatches my phone from my hand.
I stand up, swiping at him, nearly spilling my tea. “Give that back. Now.”
“No.” Banks laughs, extending his arm away from me.
“Seriously! I will fuck you up,” I warn as he scrolls through our recent texts.
“Lots of flirting. And a fit check? Wow. How fucking special,” he says, raising an eyebrow at a picture of me in a dress. His expression shifts, and he finally hands my phone back. “Love knowing the prince isjealous. This is perfect. Thanks for confirming.”
“Wait, you actually think Louis’s jealous ofyou? Pfft.” I laugh so hard that I snort. “He’sroyalty. You’re …” My words trail off as my gaze drifts from his eyes to his mouth.
Sexy.
Banks leans in, elbows on the table, his dress shirt sleeves rolled to expose his muscular forearms, bringing him inches closer.