Page 74 of Bribed by the Billionaire Bad Boy

After all, I can’t stay with Lex forever.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, locking my phone so he can’t keep snooping.

“I walked Jason to dinner.” He jabs a thumb over his shoulder, and I look past him at the curly-headed boy.

I remember Jason by name and vaguely from when we met at Autumn’s Welcome. Back before Mom hated me.

The boy grins, waving, and he’s just a tiny bit too chipper. Like he knows a secret. It unsettles me.

“Nice to see you again,” I murmur.

He flourishes a bow, looking up at me like he’s a graceful prince. “You as well, Ms. Calypso.”

Lex sighs. “Forgive him. He’s also an actor.”

Jason snorts, coming upright and lifting his chin. “At least I’m not atheater kid.”

“Ooh, burn. Yea, ye have leave to insult me all ye wish, but don’t bring your scorn upon the lady, who partakes in similar sport.” Lex smirks sidelong at his friend, who sucks his teeth and deflates.

“Okay, wow. There’s no need to get serious.” Folding his arms, Jason pouts toward me. “We’re going over aborrringgggclassic in our Acting Styles class, but guess who decided to get obsessed with the playwright? I give it two more days tops for this obsession to die.” Brow furrowed, he glares at Lex. “Lest I make you lead and bring the Ides of March upon you myself.”

Lex scoffs. “Ah, alas, brute. You’d need more friends to accomplish such a feat.”

I raise my hand in volunteer, and Jason finds me and laughs.

Lex, before looking, states, “Put your hand down, sugar.” Then he pins me with a smirk. “If I’m burdened with the namesake of this play, there’s only one role that might fit you. And verily, it’s said, you were among the faithful few who attempted to prevent my demise.”

Jason’s brows rise. “Ooh. Man, should I leave you two alone. I don’t want to get the tail ends of dinner anyway, and far be it for me to come between a husband and wife.”

Resting my elbow on the table, I watch Lex, coolly. “I’m afraid I have to decline such a proposal based on allegations of infidelity. I’m not the type to share.”

Lex’s eyes spark, and he plants a palm on the table, leaning over me—too close, but nowhere near as close as we wereall night. “So. You’re familiar with what we reference?”

“Naturally.” What kind of playwright would I be if I hadn’t studied the classics in some part?

“Is anyone else feeling like I should have brought Bartholomew to talk to?”

Without moving my gaze off Lex, I ask, “Bartholomew?”

“His giant stuffed sloth.”

“Ah.”

Pulling away from me, Lex addresses his friend. “I’ve gotta take her home, so why don’t you head in before the food gets cold? I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I never agreed to being taken home. My attention falls back to my phone while Lex and Jason joke for another few minutes. If I’m honest, I don’t want to go home at all.

It’s stupid, and I know it’s stupid. It’s not like Mom can kick me out or hold anything above my head. She has no threats to work with. I pay half the expenses, and I’m an adult. The only weapons she has to use against me are my emotions.

I don’t want to hurt her. I don’t want to disappoint her. I, I, I.

Children are selfish.

But I’m not doing anythingwrong.

Lex falls onto the bench beside my bag and rests his arms back against the table, glancing at me. “So, did you want to head home now?”

“I never agreed to let you take me home.” Haven’t I troubled him enough? Inhaling through the friction in my chest, I put my phone back in my backpack pocket. “You haven’t been this adamant since before you knew where I lived.”