Page 63 of The Billionaire's Pact

“How do you know she’s a fake fiancée?”

“I don’t, but it’s a woman out of nowhere that’s making us all pause. She’s a beauty, but she’s got that Dorothy out of Kansas vibe. Didn’t realize he was going for a babe-in-the-woods type. But the jewelry. Lordt.”

“Oh yes, dah-ling. That’s an executive salary around her swan neck. Ka-ching.”

“If rumors are to be believed, I’ve heard she’s part of the poor unfortunate branch of the Belfiores.”

“She hit the jackpot. I’d rather be an unfortunate Belfiore than a nobody like you.”

The male laughed. “You bitch. And come on in, Ms. Adelina. We know you’re out there, that’s why we’re gossiping.”

I walked in, my ears warm.

“Don’t mind us,” said the man with a buzz cut and scarf around his neck. “We’re catty, but mainly just curious. I’m JR Watt, and that’s Suzanne.”

“Nice to meet you both,” I said, shaking their hands.

The woman popped out her belly, and I let out a gasp and chuckled. It was a fake creamy stomach, complete with a belly button. “It’s hot in there.” She fanned herself with her hand laughing. “I have to wear this baby bump for another six weeks. Wesley wants the children but expects me to maintain this body. I said fuck that, get a surrogate.”

“Stop your complaining, you’re not doing the heavy lifting,” JR said. “He gave you a surrogate and a nanny.”

Suzanne laughed. “Yep. My work’s done.”

JR turned to me. “Her Wesley’s Live Social, and I bet he’s waiting outside the door,” he said in a saccharine tone.

We all walked over, and a tiny gray-haired man in a suit with shoulder pads and dark brows was indeed waiting out there.

“Nice to meet you, Adelina. Let’s become lifelong friends,” Suzanne trilled and put back on her belly. She left the bathroom and kissed Wesley deeply, bringing out a smitten glow to his expression as he helped her back to lunch.

“We can be friends. I know everything about everyone, so I’m a great one to have. Phone?” JR held out his hand, and I reached for my phone in my bag. “I’ll text myself. You’ll want to know me. I’ll put you at the top of my list when you’re ready to design your home. Especially since you didn’t fall apart at our gossip.”

I shrugged. “I’ve heard worse.”

When I lived with my parents, kids made fun of my cheap clothes at school. In college, I was looked down on for not having a new car or going abroad on spring break. I let it go, but I didn’t forget.

He grinned. “Good. You’ll need a tough skin with a celebrity husband because, darling, it gets much worse. You also need friends because whoever you meet with Rocco belongs to him. That’s my advice to you.”

I thought a bit about what he’d told me. Rocco’s friends included Nadia who I liked a lot already. But was she only his? She herself had described them as close. My heart sank, but I was grateful for the sobering reality. It was good to know my limitations.

I texted him a test message too. “Thank you, JR.”

“Of course,” he said and walked with me back to the dining room.

Rocco was there waiting for me, so I introduced him to JR.

“Nice to meet you,” Rocco said giving JR one of his devastating grins.

“Enchante,” JR said and shook his hand. “I told your beautiful fiancée how lovely she is and how much I hope she enjoys Italy. Call me.” He said to me and walked on.

“Do you know who he is?” Rocco asked me.

I shook my head.

“He’s the most sought-after interior designer in the world. I love that you’re already networking.”

I lifted my shoulders. “I didn’t network; JR approached me along with Suzanne.”

His brows rose. “Suzanne?”

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