Page 103 of Billion Dollar Revenge

I look up at her. “So what do I do?”

“It sounds like you need some space to think.”

It’s exactly what I want, and I keep coming back to the same conclusion. “I was thinking of going home for a few days after the studio opens.”

She nods. “No, you should go now.”

“But the studio?”

She shakes her head and squeezes my hand. “Can wait a few days.”

I nod, knowing she’s right. There’s only a cleaner due to come before the grand opening, so a few days won’t kill me.

“You need to talk to Evan before you go, though,” she adds.

Even though all I want to do is avoid him, I can’t ignore him forever.

She rubs my shoulder before squeezing it and standing.

I watch her walk out, softly closing my door behind her.

When she leaves my room, I pick up my phone and notice a few missed calls from Evan. I call him back. He answers on the first ring.

“Chelsea.”

My heart pounds in my ears every time I hear his voice.

“Hi.”

“I’ve been worried about you.” His voice is so sincere it makes me squeeze the phone tighter.

“I’m sorry I haven’t?” I stop talking because I don’t want to admit I’ve been crying hysterically over my idiot ex.

“I’m sorry that was printed. Please know I had nothing to do with it.”

I shuffle on the bed until my back is against the headboard. “I know.” I release a heavy sigh. “It was Bobby.”

“I fired him and I’m trying to find out how he did it,” he says angrily and continues talking. “But he isn’t answering my calls.” A grumble leaves Evan. “I’ll find him.”

“Thanks.”

It’s so silent between us, you can hear a pin drop, but then he speaks.

“Did you want to come over tonight?” His voice is so raw and tender it causes a lump to form in my throat.

I swallow hard, hating what I have to say next. “No. I’m going home.”

“Connecticut?”

“Yes,” I whisper.

“Why?”

“I want to get away from this mess, and this will be the only time off I get before the studio opens.”

“Did you want me to come?”

My chest hurts. Really aches, because even though I’ve come to realize I love him, I need this time away to process everything. I deserve to have the future I want, and he should have the one he needs, and the only way to do that is give ourselves time apart.

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