Page 82 of Grumpy Billionaire Bad Boy

"What?"

"How you can talk about something so traumatic and then immediately pretend like everything is fine."

"Who said I was pretending?" I eat more of the egg roll and hope Archer doesn't see right through me.

"We might not know each other well, London, but I know you better than you think."

I swallow the bite in my mouth. "What do you want me to do? Break down and cry because something bad happened to me? If I did that every time, I'd never stop crying. You think I'm annoying now, imagine me crying twenty-four seven."

"You're allowed to process your emotions."

"Says the grumpy guy who hides away in here by himself."

"I'm not by myself."

"You were until I got here. And I guarantee you still would be if I hadn't. Admit it, as much as you hate this, it isn't all bad."

"I didn't say I hated it," Archer deflects.

"You didn't need to. Pretty sure you telling your sister how terrible I am was enough."

"She thought we were hooking up. I had to make her understand it wasn't like that."

"Uh-huh."

"What do you want from me, London? An apology?" Archer pauses. "I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry I said that shit to Ivy."

"I think you're just sorry I heard it."

Archer rubs his temple and glides his hand through his hair, some of it spilling onto his forehead. "You're going to be the death of me, you know that?"

"I know," I say with a smile and continue eating my egg roll. "Can you add me as a beneficiary before you die? I missed out on any inheritance."

Archer laughs and for once it's genuine.

"You think I'm funny."

"Yeah, sure. That's it."

"How much will I get?" I ask him. "Couple hundred grand?" I scratch my chin. "What's Archer worth?"

"A few bil, probably."

I almost choke on my saliva. "I'm sorry, what? Did you say million?"

"Billion, with a B, baby." Archer winks at me and shoves a forkful of noodles into his mouth, the alcohol no doubt lowering his filter enough to admit he's filthy rich.

My phone buzzes and I flip it over to see a text from Grace.

Grace:Hey. Next Friday. You busy?

I thumb back a quick response.

Not sure, what's up?

Grace: Clear your schedule. Double date.

Wait, what? With who??

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