Pretend I don’t have to sell my home.
Pretend that Open Leaf is still thriving so Zoe can takeherdaughter there one day and tell her how it was started by her great, great-grandfather.
One hour.
I’ll make an excuse and Uber home.
Pulling up my big girl panties, I smile at Zander and lift a shoulder.“Actually, Drew is not that bad to work with.”
“Not that bad?”Drew mock gasps.“My team loves me.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” I chuckle.“Although I think Miranda from the admin team would marry you in an instant if you looked her way.”
“Who?”he frowns.
Emily and I share a grin.
“Poor Miranda,” Emily shakes her head.“I know how she feels.”
“I hardly think so,” Sebastian rasps.“I couldn’t keep my hands off you when you were my PA.”
My mouth drops open.
“It’s a whole story.I’ll tell you one day.”Emily grins.
A story I will never hear, because after tonight I will never see any of them again.
It has been a rollercoaster being in Drew’s world, but his invitation tonight was a step too far.
Perhaps I secretly saw it going somewhere after watching him with my daughter.Chuckling at the silly plumber story he invented.Sighing when he texted me kisses because he couldn’t give them to me in front of her.
My bad.I am a fool.
“Are you kidding me right now?”Drew glares at Zander.
“I have a lot of money riding on this.I never said I’d play nicely.”Zander sips his drink, grinning.
I turn and spot Damon, Drew’s stepbrother, and another man striding in.I know who he is.It’s clear as day.He must be Derek, Drew’s cousin.Boy, he does look very much like Drew.But younger.
More my age.
“This must be the lovely Gemma Ford I’ve heard all about,” Derek says, holding out his hand.“Derek Beckham.”
“Jesus fucking Christ.”Drew rubs his forehead.
“Hi, Derek.”I shake his hand.“You really do all look alike.”
“Rubbish.I’m far more handsome.”Damon winks.“Unrelated, which...obviously is why.”
“I’m so glad you could make it.”Zander slaps Damon on the back.“Did you know Gemma sold Drew her business?Perhaps you—”
“Perhaps nothing,” Drew growls and moves closer to me as his phone vibrates again.“Jesus.I have to take this.”
Drew rubs his hand on my arm.“Back in a minute.Stay away from Zander.”
My eyes land on said billionaire, who is clasping his chest as if offended.“Don’t listen to him.He’s just worried I’m going to steal you for the rest of the night.And I meanallnight.”
“Zander,” Sebastian warns quietly as my cheeks heat.
