Page 22 of The Billionaire Babe

“Aren’t they just?” I say, smiling.

“How much longer do you think we will be here tonight?” Simone asks.

“Do you have somewhere else to be?” I raise my eyebrows.

“Maybe we should hit Club Vine again later tonight?” she suggests.

“Oh, I told Jimmy you work for the NFL team,” I say quickly before taking a sip of champagne and looking away from Simone.

“You did what?” she almost shrieks, and I look back in surprise.

“Jimmy called, gave me intel on AJ. I had to give him something in return.” I shrug, secretly hoping she doesn’t mind. I see her face soften and a look of intrigue takes over.

“So what did he say about me?” she asks coyly.

“Nothing. He just hoped that you would be back in the club sometime soon,” I tell her, and she smiles. I think I see a hint of blush to her cheeks.

“Do you seriously like him?” Chelsea asks, and I look around the floor for Chloe, but she is busy being interviewed with the last few media.

“Photo, ladies?” Chloe's photographer friend asks, and we all have our camera-ready smiles on high voltage tonight. I usually don’t love the media attention and try to steer clear of anything gossipy. But tonight is Chloe's night, and anything we can do to bring awareness to her brand and increase her business is at the top of my agenda.

“Valerie, can we get a shot?” Once one starts, another approaches. I didn’t realize Chloe would have so many influencers here tonight, but I smile and take photos with them all.

“Valerie, Rena from Society News, do you have a minute?” Simone rolls her eyes as she turns away, not wanting anything to do with it.

“Sure.” I fake a smile this time and take a few steps away from the crowd.

“Just a few questions, if you don’t mind?” Rena says, looking at me expectantly.

“Of course.”

“Chloe’s line, which one is your favorite piece tonight?” I immediately feel relief that the questions are on the event and not me personally.

“Oh, the rose. She designed that one in memory of my grandmother and it is my favorite piece. Designed with a pink diamond at the center and a dusting of white diamonds on the outside, it is by far the most amazing piece of jewelry I have seen.” Chloe designing that necklace was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.

“And at the charity luncheon last week, you raised over half a million dollars for heart disease research. How is it that you can always manage these amazing events?” she asks.

“Oh, it was a fantastic cause, and we had some very generous donors that day.”

“I heard that oil baron, William Schmidt, donated a high amount. Do you know him personally? Rumors say that he is personally interested in you?” I balk at the question because, one, I didn’t know William Schmidt was our biggest donor—something Abigail failed to tell me—and two, I shiver hearing that man's name and do not want it connected to my own.

“He was in attendance, but I can’t recall his donation. And no, I don’t know him at all. I actually met him for the first time at the charity luncheon,” I say, telling her the truth but feeling uncomfortable.

“Okay, enough questions. I need you to step back from the display,” a rough voice says, and I feel the familiar warmth of AJ’s hand on my lower back. Rena is not near the displays and wasn’t doing anything that would affect the show or security, but I am thankful someone interrupted the interview. I lean back into AJ’s hand, needing to feel his protective manner, even though he is only doing his job.

“Of course. Thank you, Valerie.” Rena looks between me and AJ, then moves swiftly, straight out the door, obviously happy with whatever information she gleaned. I let out a sigh.

“You alright?” AJ asks, and I start to put on a fake smile before I stop. I don’t need to be fake with him.

“I’m okay. I don’t really like answering media questions that much.” I admit, this life is getting more exhaustive by the minute.

“I can tell. You do this thing with your arm when you are uncomfortable,” AJ says, moving his arm slightly, and my brow crumples in question.

“I do not.” I have no idea what he is talking about.

“You do. You grab your elbow and pinch the skin. I noticed it every time someone came up for a photo or asked you a question.” His eyes are full of concern, which makes my stomach do these weird flip-flops.

“Have you been watching me, AJ?” I tease.

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