Page 86 of The Rebel Billionaire

She reels off the titles. I remember seeing them advertised on billboards.

“Anything you suggest?” I ask.

“It’s been a while since I went to the cinema,” she admits. “But I’ve heard great things about this one. It’s what I’m watching. It’s a bit of a monster at over two and a half hours.”

She gives me the title, and I pull it up on my own screen. “I’ll let you know at the other end.”

She grins across. “Enjoy.”

The air stewardess takes that moment to return with my water. When I look back across, Brooke is once again watching her screen, the moment lost.

Two hours into the movie, I get up and head to the bathroom. At least it’s spacious. When I return, Brooke is sound asleep, curled in a ball one hand resting beneath her cheek. She’s a picture of innocence. The tension she usually carries is gone. Elise looks up and smiles. I drag my eyes away from my sleeping PA, not wanting to look like a creep, and return to my seat.

Elise is forty-five and has worked for St Clair since she graduated. She’s an incredibly talented designer, and I’m constantly worried about her being poached. She was my boss when I worked in the design studio. Now she’s a close friend as well as a colleague, someone I have the greatest respect for.

I glance once more across the aisle before finishing the movie.

* * *

When we make it to the hotel, Brooke checks us in.

“We’re all on the same floor,” she says. “Alex, you have a suite, as requested.”

I nod. It will make any meetings easier, should we need one. I don’t want us to be having confidential discussions in restaurants.

“We have three hours before we’re due at our suppliers, so there’s time to freshen up or get some sleep if you prefer,” she says.

Brooke looks refreshed. She slept for much of the flight, only waking up when they brought us breakfast. She turned it down before rolling over and continuing her nap.

I, on the other hand, spent the entire night, my mind whirring. Work, my mother… Brooke.

Did she set me up? When I mentioned Brooke would be my PA, she appeared shocked but then told me she thought it was a good choice. Why was she so sure? I know she’s been playing matchmaker since Loretta left, not content with only one grandchild, but still… Not knowing if I’ve been played is messing with my head.

Brooke smiles, her hand grazing mine as she distributes our keycards.

I tense.

Is it possible?

Her brows furrow as if she senses something is wrong, but in true Brooke style, she brushes it off, turning instead to Elise.

“Okay, let’s go,” Elise says. “My bed is calling. I can never sleep on flights, first class or not.”

We make our way upstairs. The bellboy had already promised our cases would be waiting for us. Saying goodbye in the hallway, I enter my room, throwing my laptop down before running a hand through my hair. Time for a shower and hopefully a few hours’ sleep.

* * *

Everyone is waiting in reception when I finally make it down.

Brooke, in all her efficiency, has arranged a driver to take us to our destination on the outskirts of Rome, where our supplier has one of its main warehouses.

We’re greeted by Tomasso, the owner and a long-standing family friend.

“Ciao, Tomasso,” I say, only for him to pull me into a backslapping hug.

He pulls back and grips my upper arms.

“Ciao, Alessandro, che bello rivederti.”