Page 63 of The Rebel Billionaire

“Callie made a good call,” I say, redirecting the conversation and making David laugh.

“My wife is good at that, but don’t tell her I said so,” he says with a chuckle. “Did I see Aubrey’s back in town? You’re welcome to bring her as your plus one.”

Since my divorce, I’ve dated a string of women, including several models and actresses. In the circles I move in, they are the women I encounter the most. After my marriage ended, none of my relationships has lasted. I’m married to my job, according to my last girlfriend. Aubrey, on the other hand, has held on the longest. She is a successful model who has been involved in a couple of our campaigns. We met at a St Clair photoshoot, when the photographer we hired was being a diva. I turned up and made my presence felt. Aubrey was not shy and made her interest in me clear from the outset.

She’s beautiful and independent. She travels a lot, her job taking her around the world. We work because she never demands more than I’m willing to give.

“She’s back in the country for a couple of weeks,” I say, my tone noncommittal.

I’m unsure whether to invite her to dinner with my friends. We’re friends with benefits and introducing her to my close circle makes me worry that she might misunderstand and expect more.

“You want to keep her all to yourself. I get it. I’m just glad that after five years, you’ve found someone you want to spend time with,” David says, chuckling, misreading my reluctance. “I’ll get Callie to speak to Brooke then. I’d better go. I have a nine o’clock I’m going to be late for.”

“Speak soon,” I say, ending the call.

After Loretta divorced me, I threw myself into my work at St Clair. Taking over as CEO was my saving grace, giving me something to focus on when my personal life took a nosedive. I know my friends worry and think I’m married to my job, but it gives me purpose. I can admit now that I was a shit husband. Loretta deserved better, and I wasn’t there when she needed me. I’m glad she found Myles and has everything she desires, including her beautiful twin daughters, Beatrice and Carlotta.

I shake it off and shoot a message to Brooke, asking her to arrange two birthday gifts for the twins, who will be four in a couple of weeks. I also ask her to send flowers to Aubrey, thanking her for a fun weekend.

A knock. I glance up at the clocks on my wall. Nine a.m., Teresa is right on time.

CHAPTER 19

HARPER

Alex appears at his door, a frown marring his brow.

What now?

I click save on the presentation I’m preparing for this afternoon’s meeting. It’s been a long couple of weeks since Callie left, and I’ve barely had a chance to come up for air.

“Do you need anything?” I ask.

“I need my dinner suit collecting from the dry cleaners.”

There’s a long pause.

Okay then, that’s clearly my job.

“I need it for the charity event I’m attending this evening, and I’ve just received a message to say their usual delivery guy is off sick.”

I draw in a gentle breath and plaster a smile on my face.

“No problem. I can collect that for you. Just let me know where.”

He pulls out a ticket from his wallet and hands it to me.

I take it. The address and number are clearly visible.

“They’re short-staffed,” he says before turning and leaving me standing there holding the tiny receipt.

“A thank you would be nice,” I mutter under my breath, pleased when I hear his door shut with a click.

I close my eyes for a second.

Brooke Feldmann is meek and mild and does as she’s told.

She’s not someone who will remind her boss about the twenty reports he wants completed by the end of the day or point out that he’s asked her to accompany him to back-to-back meetings between one and five this afternoon. I groan at the thought of the evening ahead. While he’s swanning off to some charity event with the lovely Ms Lebrun, I’ll be stuck in the office finishing my to-do list.