Page 60 of Falling for the Wrong Billionaire

Tonight, it’s a notification that catches my eye as I’m reorganizing the cabinets in the back room.

Liam: Can we spend the evening together? I miss you.

Just six words. That’s all it takes for my chest to ache so hard it feels like it might split open.

It’s been nearly a week since I last saw him. A week of excuses — work is crazy, I’m tired, maybe tomorrow. And every time I tell him no, I can feel it cutting into him, into us.

But it’s better this way.

I tell myself that every time I hit send on another polite rejection.

It’s better to put distance between us now, before the goodbye comes.

Before it becomes too hard to let go.

I stare at the message for a long time before my fingers finally move over the screen.

Me: I can’t tonight. I have a lot to do.

I stare at the little bubble of text for another moment before hitting send.

And then I wait.

And wait.

But no reply comes.

Instead of feeling relieved, I keep glancing at my phone, hoping it lights up again. Hoping he says something, anything.

But it stays silent.

I turn back to my work, my hands trembling just slightly as I stack the last of the boxes.

The minutes crawl by, and the clinic slowly empties out as the day winds down.

Emma pokes her head in at one point, giving me a puzzled look. “You okay?” she asks, her voice gentle.

I force a small smile and nod. “Yeah. Just… catching up on a few things.”

She doesn’t push, just nods and disappears again.

I wait until I hear the door close behind her, leaving me alone.

Only then do I let my shoulders sag, the smile slipping off my face as I rest my forehead against the cool wood of the cabinet.

Pip and Nibbs scurry over from their little carrier, curling up around my feet.

I sink to the floor, burying my fingers in their soft fur, whispering to them like they can somehow make it all okay.

“I’m fine,” I murmur, though my voice cracks just a little. “I’m fine. This is what’s best.”

They chirp softly in response, and I almost believe them.

Almost.

I’m just gathering my things when I hear the bell above the clinic door.

My heart stutters.