Page 32 of Faking it With A Grumpy Billionaire

“You know, now that you explained all this to me, I think I understand why you’re the way you are, and to be honest, it is fair that you are proud. I mean, look at how much you have been able to attain at this young age of yours.”

“Well, all I can say is I’m grateful.”

“Well, you should be. Not everyone is opportune like you are. But if you don’t mind me asking, do you still talk to her?”

“My mom?”

“Yes. I mean, I know they are divorced, but she is your mom still, right? I know Lydia never talks about her, but sometimes she misses her, even though she never says it or shows it.”

I bowed my head slightly as I thought through Elizabeth’s words. “She hurt every one of us, Elizabeth, and I can’t even begin to talk about how much hurt her actions brought. And no, we have lost touch ever since the divorce. But of course, I, too, wish things were different, but that’s how life is, I guess. You can never have it all.”

“Right.”

“Okay, enough of the sappy moments. What would you like to do, watch, or eat?” I asked, ready to zone out of this emotional moment of vulnerability.

I could not even remember the last time I was this open to anyone at all, but with Elizabeth, for reasons unknown to me, I just felt at ease. I was at peace to tell her parts of myself that I have hidden.

What’s going on, Will? What is this thing you feel? I asked myself as I kept my gaze fixed on her. I wasn’t sure what it was, but a part of me liked it.

Chapter fifteen

Elizabeth

As I sat in Will’s living room, I could not help but stare at him as he spoke, sharing with me hidden parts of himself I never knew. I could not help it, but I felt my insides react to every word he said.

The way he spoke and the manner in which he was gentle with me did things to me from within.

Elizabeth, put yourself together! I spoke to myself as I took a deep breath and allowed myself to breathe, calming myself down.

Honestly, I was surprised. I was taken aback by his gentle demeanor and how openly spoke.

I mean, the Will I knew was not the Will I was speaking to right in this moment.

He was a totally different person.

I wasn’t sure—maybe the location was the difference. Could it be because he felt at home and was free to let down his guard?

Was it because this was his personal comfort zone? I just wanted to understand the reason behind his change in attitude.

He was not the grumpy or egotistical man I knew. He was different, calm, gentle, funny, and spoke with ease.

As he scribbled out a few things for me to do and suggested changes to implement in my business, I watched him eagerly and with great attention.

“Thank you for this, Will,” I blurted out, and it wasn’t until he looked up to see me that I realized I had spoken.

“Thank you for what?” Will asked innocently. He paused his writing and looked straight into my eyes, reviving the stirring in the depths of my belly.

“For . . . umm . . . for your help . . . for your help with my business.” It felt as if something was stuck in my esophagus. I struggled to understand why I suddenly felt scared to speak and began stuttering.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I mean, I promised to do this now, didn’t I?”

“Yeah,” I said as I let out a breath, anxiously rubbing my knees with my palms.

Once he finished, he came over to sit beside me closely as he explained everything he had written in the book.

Of course, how do you expect me to concentrate or pay attention to anything he was saying?

His cologne alone was enough to distract me—let alone his proximity. I swallowed the hard lump in my throat as I tried to focus on his words and not the heat that flowed from his body.

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