Page 2 of The Billionaire's Hire (The Venture Capital Trilogy)

If I don’t hear from you by the end of the day, I’m calling the police.

I rubbed my temples. Audrey was my best friend, butshe was engaged toCole’sbest friend, James Preston. So, I knew it would get back to Cole as soon as I talked to her.

Sighing, I tapped out a response.

I’m alive. Don’t go calling the police!

Where are you? Are you okay???

I’m fine. I’m safe.

I broke up with Cole.

Taking a break from life.

My phone rang, making me jump out of my skin. I had zero desire to talk, but Audrey would freak out if I didn’t answer.

“What?” I croaked.

“Why haven’t you called or texted me back?” Audrey asked. “I’ve been worried sick!”

“Because I don’t want to talk about it,” I said.

“Cole’s been so upset,” she said. “Just like the rest of us. Even Elena was freaking out!”

“Sorry.” I sighed.

“Where are you?” Audrey asked, her voice laced with worry. “Are you okay?”

“Home.” I grabbed one of the many crumpled-up tissues from the pile next to me and blew my nose. Hearing Audrey’s voice was getting me all worked up. “I have to go, okay? It’s been a rough couple of days.”

“Don’t hang up!” Audrey said quickly. “FaceTime me, so I know you’re telling me the truth. I need to see that you’re safe.”

“Oh my God,” I groaned but complied. Working at the agency, Audrey and I had learned to always look out for each other. We FaceTimed to confirm that the other was okay, not being held hostage by some crazy-ass John. I turned the video on and blew my nose again. My little reflection peered back at me.My eyes were puffy, and my hair was a rat’s nest. “Jeez, I look like crap.”

Audrey’s pretty face appeared on my phone. She scowled at me. “You’ve been crying.”

“Nah.” But I blew my nose again.

“You’re not with one of your awful clients, right?” Audrey peered into the screen. “I was worried someone kidnapped you.”

“I’m by myself, I swear.” I held up the phone to show her my crappy Roxbury studio apartment. “Another day in paradise.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Why’d you leave Cole’s place? What happened?”

I shrugged. “I just got to thinking. I’m not really a relationship kind of girl.”

Audrey took a deep breath. “Did he do something to you? Something… bad?”

“No! No, it was nothing like that. I swear to God.” I crossed myself for good measure. “He was a perfect gentleman. I just didn’t want to be with him anymore.”

“Why not?” She didn’t sound like she believed me.

I shrugged again. “I guess I felt like if I got out now, I wouldn’t get hurt later. I thought lowering my expectations might be smart. You know what I mean?”

Audrey nodded, her eyes huge in her face.

“But don’t go thinking of doing the same thing,” I admonished her quickly. “You and James are different—he proposed and everything. You’re official. Even his parents know! What happened with Celia, by the way?”

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