Page 155 of The Rebel Billionaire

“Feeling better?”

“Yes, thank you. What are you doing?”

“Have you eaten today?”

“No,” I admit.

First, I was caught up answering everyone’s questions after the show, and then Gabriel called just as I was about to head down to the cafeteria.

“You cook?” I blurt as he moves aside, revealing what he’s been doing while I’ve been gone.

He chuckles, the sound warm and soothing.

“Don’t look so surprised,” he says. “I went to university in England. After the first year of having university-prepared meals, it was do or die. I thought, how hard can it be to follow a recipe?”

“Really? And?”

He rubs the back of his neck, giving me a sheepish look. “I went through three sets of pans and nearly set fire to our kitchen, but I got there in the end.”

I know he’s trying to lighten the mood, and I find I’m grateful. There’s nothing worse than waiting for the phone to ring, so I’m surprised to find it’s working.

“So, you burnt your first few attempts?” I ask.

He grins. “I did. After that, our cook took pity on me when I was home for the holiday. She taught me some simple recipes. I can boil pasta and make a passable tomato sauce.”

I don’t have much of an appetite, but sitting here moping isn’t going to help anyone. Besides, my boss is kindly volunteering to cook me dinner.

“What do you say? Are you willing to risk your life on my culinary skills?”

I smile.

“Thank you. Is there anything I can do?”

My phone rings before he can answer.

“Hey, Mum,” I say as her name flashes up.

Alex shoos me towards the bedroom, motioning to the stove.

“Darling?” I can hear the waver in her voice. “I just wanted to call and check you’re okay. Gabriel said…”

“I’m fine, Mum, I promise,” I lie. “It was just a shock.”

Mum harrumphs. Since Leah came into our lives, fine is not a word we use.

“Okay, not fine, but I’m doing okay. Alex sent me home,” I say, not telling her that he’s here with me. Too many questions, ones I can’t answer.

“He knows?” she whispers. “Is that wise, darling?”

“He knows Kat’s in hospital. I was at work when G called.”

I don’t mention last week when he covered for me after I almost fell apart. I don’t need Mum worrying about me on top of everything else, and every instinct tells me Alex Bianchi is someone I can trust, someone who will stand in my corner if I can let him.

I hear him moving about in the kitchen.

“Any news on Kat?” I ask.

“No, she’s still in surgery. It will be another few hours. Your brothers and Jaxson are wearing grooves in the floor tiles,” she says. “They’ve moved us into a family room.”