Page 57 of The Rebel Billionaire

“I’m not that bad,” Alex replies, earning himself some coughs and splutters.

“Really?” Callie adds, placing her hands on her hips.

Alessandro grins. “Well, not your problem anymore. No more dealing with my grumpy arse every day. Just think of that.”

She chuckles and throws herself at him. He sets the box on the table and catches her. The affection between them is clear.

David chuckles.

“Yes, but I’m going to miss your grumpy arse,” she says, mimicking his British accent. “You better come around for dinner. I need to know all the gossip.”

He gives her another hug. “Of course. I’ll need to check on my godchild. That’s the only reason I’m letting you go. You know that, right?”

“What? Not because my husband threatened to revoke your being godfather?”

He winks at her, and I feel like an intruder as I realise I’m witnessing a very different side to Alessandro, one only a few people are privy to. This is what he’s like with the people he cares about.

My chest constricts at the easy affection between the three of them.

He gives her one last hug. “Come on, let’s get you out of here.”

Callie wipes her eyes before turning to hug me. I squeeze her back.

“I’m going to miss you,” I say, feeling my own throat tighten.

“Me too,” Callie says. “Lunch next week, it’s a date.”

When we let go of one another, I catch the look Alessandro shoots the two of us and I notice that he’s holding her box again.

“Come on,” he says gruffly.

* * *

We make our way into the elevator. Alessandro positions himself in front of the control panel, with David and Callie in the middle, while I hide quietly at the back. They’re talking about items she’s going to buy for the baby.

Before I know it, the door is opening.

A loud chorus of ‘Surprise!’ erupts, and Callie spins towards the door, her hand flying to her mouth.

“You didn’t,” she says, her eyes flying between the three of us. “Alex…”

He shakes his head, inclining it towards me. “This is all Brooke,” he says, his eyes meeting mine over her head, twinkling with mischief.

“Brooke?” she says, turning to face me.

David leans forward and hits the button, holding the doors open.

“You didn’t think you were going to get to leave without saying goodbye to everyone, did you?” I say, my voice catching.

She bites her lip and smiles. “I thought that’s what I’ve been doing all day.”

“That, beautiful lady, was simply the warm-up. Everyone is waiting for you.”

I squeeze her hand as Alessandro steps out, positioning himself in front of the door sensor to keep them from closing.

Callie steps out with David, her hands flying to her cheeks as another cheer goes up.

Alessandro nods for me to move out of the elevator and into the room. He follows behind, slapping David on the back as he passes.