Page 111 of Billionaire Bachelor

“What would be the point?” I shrug. “I didn’t want to bringeveryone around me down. I knew what my problem was. I waspining. But the one person I wanted wasn’t available, so I kept chugging along, going out, and pretending everything was great. It just got to the point where I couldn’t fake the social shit anymore, which is why I defaulted back to my high-school-hermit setting.”

“Shit, you really were the biggest fucking hermit in high school,” he teases.

“Oh, fuck off.” I flip him off. “But just so you know, I wasn’t miserable. I love work, the people at the office, hanging with you, your family. I had plenty of joy in my life before Rosie and I got together. But now that I have her…she’s everything I’ve been missing, man.”

He nods once, and for the first time since our rift began, the heaviness in his eyes fades a bit.

“I’ve been a dick,” he says.

“Yep,” I agree because the man did say he wanted honesty, right?

Ryan smirks. “But you get where I’m coming from, don’t you?”

“Yeah.” I nod. “I do.”

There’s a pregnant pause before Ryan lifts his glass in a toast.

“I really am happy for you, Logan. For both of you. Just…promise me you’ll take care of Rosa, okay?”

I clink my glass against his. “Of course.”

We slip into a comfortable silence, nursing our drinks, listening to the pianist play moody covers. Right when I’m about to excuse myself to go check in with Rosie, Ryan straightens in his seat, suddenly alert.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“Corner barstool. Blonde in the red dress.”

I follow his gaze and spot a woman at the bar who fits the description. I’m a little surprised she’s the one who’s caught his eye, to be honest. Don’t get me wrong…she’s a total smoke show. Curves in all the right places, an air of effortless sophistication, and enough confidence to command an empire.

But Ryan usually goes for the chill, boho-beachy types. This onelooks like she could eat him for breakfast without smudging her bright red lipstick, then run a Fortune 500 board meeting right after.

“You gonna go for it? What happened to Penny?”

“Penny went back to her ex.” His shoulders lift, eyes never leaving the beautiful blonde. “God, she’s fucking stunning. You think I should go talk to her?”

“Why the hell not? We’re in Vegas. Shoot your shot, Casanova. I’m going to head back to my room and call Rosie anyway. I’ll just order some room service for dinner.”

Ryan grins, finishes his drink, and stands. “Wish me luck, buddy.”

“Good luck,” I say, already pulling out my phone. “Don’t do anything stupid like get married.”

He flips me off over his shoulder as he makes his way over to the blonde. I laugh, watching his approach as I head toward the exit. Ryan is in full flirt mode, which she seems to appreciate if I’m reading her body language correctly.

I have a feeling Ry’s about to have himself a real wild night.

35

ROSALIE

My phone lights upwith an incoming FaceTime call, and I grab it so quickly, I accidentally press the red button, denying the call.

“Dammit!”

I’ve been waiting for Logan to call me all night to tell me how his meeting went. I dial him back, and he answers right away.

“Accidentally hang up on me again?” he asks.

“Yes,” I grumble, sitting up in bed.