Page 32 of Falling For The Billionaire Rockstar

“He was.” I returned to my soup, and by the time I looked up again, her eyes were wide with remorse.

“I’m so sorry. Sam doesn’t talk much about your parents, so I didn’t know.”

I reached for the back of her palm, which rested on the table. “It’s fine. He lived a really good life with no regrets.”

She nodded before looking down to where my hand rested above hers. The sound of Sam’s car pulling up on the gravel caught our attention, and she snatched her hand from beneath mine.

We finished with our soup in silence and waited till the front door opened and closed. Sam walked straight into the kitchen and paused as she saw us.

“Well, what a speedy development. Yesterday, you were clawing at each other, and now you’re breaking bread together?”

“Where were you yesterday?” I asked, eager to shift her attention.

She gave me a knowing look before walking to the fridge. “I had to work overnight.”

“You must be tired. Go freshen up. I’ll make you something.” Olivia stood up and took her plate to the sink.

“Is that Daddy’s hangover soup? You folks got drunk, too? How the tables turn,” she said, shaking her head as her eyes lit with amusement. I saw her give Olivia a sly look before heading up the stairs.

I stood up, saying, “Well, I have to leave now. I have some business to deal with.”

Olivia nodded, and there was one last awkward silence between us before I walked out. I grabbed Sam’s keys. I needed a reason to come back. A reason to see her again.

Since my partners had decided to jumpstart the project, my stay in New York automatically increased. At first, I wanted to go back and work remotely, but I changed my mind and decided to stay longer. I had promised to stand by Olivia, and I intended to stick to that promise.

Anderson greeted me as I stepped down from Sam’s car and tossed the key at a valet before walking into the office.

“Good morning, sir. I was so glad when you called to tell me you were coming in today. I already thought I wasn’t going to see you again,” he rambled as he took my suitcase, and we walked to the elevator.

“You know, Anderson, you make it sound like we’re in a relationship, and it’s really creepy.”

“You know, now that you mention it, it doesn’t sound so creepy to me.”

I glared at him from the corner of my eyes, and a mischievous smile curved his lips as we got behind the metal doors and watched them slide closed.

“All I’m saying is, it’s good to have you back, sir.”

“So, what’s been happening while I was away?” I asked.

He stretched his hand forward so I could look into the tab in his hands. “We’ve followed the blueprints in your original pitch, but for now, we’re still in the preparation. Not a lot of progress has been made.”

“Well, not a lot of time has passed, so we’re still on track,” I replied as the doors opened and we walked into my office. “Have the accounts department run an audit on our budget. Make sure there were no unauthorized additions. Then ask the technical department for a report. We need to know if they could complete this project within the given time and, if they can’t, how long they would need.” I circled my desk and took a seat.

Anderson lingered a bit in my guest area.

“Is there something you’d like to share with me, Anderson?” I asked without looking at him.

He jerked to life and walked to my desk. “Well, the thing is, it’s none of my business, but—”

“If it’s not your business, then why are we discussing it?” I looked up at him finally.

He straightened. “Because, sir, ultimately, it is going to be my business and the business of the entire corporation, too. I’m not just talking about New York.”

I studied him for a brief moment before sighing. “Well, go on then.”

He lifted his tablet and handed it to me. I took it from him and looked at the picture he had opened for me. It was a picture of me and Olivia in the bookshop, laughing as we ate.

I smiled at how beautiful she looked in the picture. Then, I caught myself quickly. “You’ve had people follow me?” I looked up at him.

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