Page 27 of Baby for My Billionaire Rival

Amy scoffs. “You don’t need to lie. It was fine.”

“I really liked it! I think attempting to make sustainable crypto is a really formidable endeavor.”

We stop by an empty high-top, debating if we should claim it. “Yeah, it’s formidable because it will literally never happen. Schwartz’s bitcoin pipedream.”

I smile at Amy sympathetically. She was forced to pigeonhole herself into Schwartz’s idea for a plan. I’m grateful I got to work on something that’s actually in my wheelhouse.

“Gladstone!”

I look over to the bar where Jake has managed to grab a bartender’s attention.

“What do you want to drink?” He pantomimes a glass in his hand and knocking it back.

I laugh. He’s been on cloud nine since we finished our presentation, leaving our audience engaged and mesmerized. His expressions are as animated as they were when we were out on the farm.

That’s the Jake Simmons I started falling for.

Yes. You read that right. I am falling for Jake Simmons. It’s so totally dangerous and I’m obsessed with the way he makes me feel. He hears me in a way I haven’t been heard in a while.

I know I can’t have him. But I can flirt a little, right? “I’ll get my own drink!” I call out.

“No, I’m here, what do you want?” he calls back. I can practically feel the annoyance of the people whose heads we’re shouting over.

I sigh. Jake won’t take no for an answer when he wants to do something nice. Another thing I like about him. “Vodka cranberry!” I shout out.

“Amy?” Gosh, he’s such a doll, he won’t leave anyone out.

“Same!” she replies.

Jake gives us a winning smile, then turns to place his order. Amy and I settle into our seats at the table and wait patiently for our alcoholic rewards.

“So, what’s going on with that?” Amy asks.

My throat constricts. “What do you mean?”

“I mean… it’s obvious you make really good partners… if you catch my meaning.”

I shake my head. “Nothing’s going on.”

“Not yet,” Amy says.

“Not ever,” I retort.

“Not. Yet.” She narrows her eyes. “Don’t act like everyone can’t see it, Caroline. I mean, tension has been brewing since the first day of class.”

I gulp back my nervousness. Is it really that obvious to everyone? Toeveryone?

“Ladies –” Jake comes over, balancing three drinks against his chest. “Two vodka crans and –”

“Surprise, surprise, a beer,” I tease as we take the drinks from him.

“What’s wrong with a beer?” he replies, then swigs his Bud Light.

I stare up at him. “You’re at a bar and you can have any drink you want and you choose a bottled beer you can get at the grocery store.”

“Sorry, we can’t all have such an elevated palate to really taste the nuances of a watered-down vodka cranberry,” Jake shoots back. He lays his arm across the back of my chair, fingers skimming my back. “Miss Caroline Patricia Gladstone,” he finishes, leaning toward me just enough that I have to wonder if he might kiss me.

I glance at Amy who is looking smug as ever, then back at Jake. I push him on the shoulder hard enough for him to stumble back to the empty chair. “Get your beer breath out of my face, Simmons.”

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