Page 55 of Love your Billionaire Boss

Nico gave them a friendly wink before walking away. The girls clinked their glasses and sipped the champagne. Cleo felt a little more at ease as the bubbles ran down her throat.

“This is the best champagne I’ve ever tasted,” said Elle, looking at her glass appreciatively.

They finished their champagne just as the guests began to arrive. Their first stop wasn’t the dessert table. Their first stop was the bar or the appetizers set up on the other side of the room, so Cleo and Elle were able to people watch. Women in fancy cocktail dresses and men in pressed suits filled the room not only with their bodies, but also a hum of conversation.

About thirty minutes into the party, Cleo saw Kenny walk in. She felt like the air had been knocked out of her as she took him in. He was wearing a well-fitted black suit with a black tie. She had never seen him dressed up. His hair was held in place by a pomade, except for one piece that fell onto his forehead. Him and that unruly hair. He slid his hand through his hair trying to tame it with no luck.

Cleo pretended to be busy, but watched as he looked around. He skimmed over her table, careful to look only at the desserts and not her. Then he made his way to the bar. Well, that’s that, she thought. He was avoiding her. She fought back the burning tears that were forming in her eyes.

Elle must have felt her tense up and she nudged her.

“You’ve got this,” she said with a reassuring smile.

Cleo gave her a quick nod and blinked back the tears just as Nico walked over with a very pregnant woman. She plastered on a smile.

“Cleo, this is my sister, Mae. The birthday girl!”

Cleo held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, and happy birthday!”

“Thank you! Everything looks absolutely amazing. I’ve heard Nico and Kenny rave about you. I can’t wait to try everything. In fact, I’m going to snag one of these right now.”

Cleo watched as Mae picked up a mini strawberry cupcake. She popped the whole thing in her mouth. Her eyes opened wide as she looked from the cupcakes to Cleo.

“Okay. You’re my new favorite person,” said Mae.

“Told ya,” said Nico.

Cleo laughed.

Mae turned to greet someone, but not before grabbing a cookie and calling over her shoulder, “I’ll be back! Don’t you go anywhere!”

“You’re a hit,” whispered Elle, as Cleo bit her lip to fight back the smile that wanted to explode onto her face.

Chapter 20

Kenny

She looked beautiful. Professional. Sexy. Delectable. More delectable than the desserts sitting in front of her on tiered trays. He’d tasted both, and as much as her pastries were delicious, she was even better tasting. It was difficult not to think about their night together when he saw her right in front of him. Hell, it’d been difficult not to think about it since it happened. But now, seeing her looking confident in a chef’s coat, it was nearly impossible not to remember what was underneath. He craved her as much as his sweet tooth craved her creations.

He was careful not to get caught staring. He was careful when he entered the party to not look in her direction, not with the intention to hurt her, but because his heart might explode out of his chest. It took everything in him not to walk over and talk to her. She was probably avoiding him too, anyway. Why wouldn’t she? After what he had done. How he had left her that morning.

Knowing he would be seeing her tonight, he took his time getting ready for the party. He had his suit finely pressed and had tried to wrangle his hair, which was always quite the task. When he had walked out of his bedroom, Nico eyed him surprised.

“Dang. I’m going to have to step it up.” He looked down at his dress shirt and slacks, and went back to his bedroom to change into a suit. They drove separately to the party because Nico had to get there early to make sure everything was set up properly. He had invited Kenny along, but Kenny had declined. The less time alone with Cleo was probably better.

He took another long sip of his whiskey, finishing it. He looked down at his empty glass, and as if on cue, Justin walked up and handed him another. Kenny was thankful his best friend was in town to be here with him.

“Thanks,” Kenny said, leaning against the wall. He snuck another glance in Cleo’s direction.

“Why don’t you go talk to her?”

Kenny shrugged. Justin still didn’t know what had happened between the two of them.

“You’re just going to stare at her all night?” asked Justin, looking from Kenny to Cleo.

“It’s complicated.”

“You like her. It sounds like she likes you. Seems easy.”

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