Page 135 of The Rebel Billionaire

“I can’t believe I’m so far away.”

She looks up and sees me, her expression falling.

“Leah, I’ve got to go,” she says, her eyes never leaving mine.

“We love you,” a male and female voice chime together.

“Love you too.”

She cuts off the call, throwing the phone into her bag.

“Sorry, Alex, I didn’t see you there,” she says, smiling.

The overly bright mask she’s been wearing recently slips neatly back into place.

“You didn’t need to end the call just because of me,” I say. “It’s out of hours. I should ask why you’re still here.”

She stands, grabbing her bag, a St Clair classic.

“I was leaving when I got a call from home. My—friend has just had twins. They were calling to introduce me to them.”

I smile. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” She fusses around on her desk, straightening up her papers, putting pens back in their place, doing almost anything to avoid meeting my gaze.

“You must be close if their youngest calls you aunty,” I say, not sure why I’m pushing but wanting a response.

She freezes, her head finally coming up. “We are. I miss them,” she says. “But it’s not forever,” she adds, as if trying to convince herself more than me.

“If you want to take some holiday, there’s always time after fashion week. Maybe you could arrange some time off and fly back to England to see them?”

She slides the strap of her bag over her shoulder, her eyes finally meeting mine. “That won’t be necessary, but thanks for the offer,” she says, moving around her desk, grabbing her jacket at the last moment. She looks up as she draws level with me. “I really should be getting home.”

“See you tomorrow, Brooke. Have a good evening.”

She pauses. “You too.”

“Thanks for today,” I add, Dante’s grumbled advice coming to mind.

She smiles, her green eyes locking on mine. “You’re welcome. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I watch as she makes her way towards the elevator, waiting until she steps inside before turning and entering my office.

CHAPTER 39

ALEX

“Hello, stranger, how’re you doing?”

I stiffen when I hear my younger brother’s voice. With fashion week just around the corner, I keep an open-door policy, only closing it when I’m in meetings.

“Enzo, when did you get in? We weren’t expecting you until tomorrow.” I can hear the joy in Brooke’s voice and sense her moving.

“A couple of hours ago. Stopped off to get showered and changed, but then came straight in. No rest for the wicked.”

They stand close together, chatting like old friends, Brooke smiles up at him, her eyes warm and welcoming, as she asks after Avril and about London…

“What about you?” Enzo asks.