Page 42 of Falling For The Billionaire Rockstar

There was a pause, and then he nudged me with his shoulder. “That, my lady, is your greatest weapon against him right now. Don’t see it as a weakness.”

I looked up at him. “And how’s that?”

He took a bite out of his burger and chewed in silence as he stared into the sky. “You gave him the idea that he has control over your life. That’s why he’s out there playing his dirty tricks and waiting for you to snap. But once he realizes how easy it is for you to snatch your life back, it would kill him.”

I let out a wry chuckle. “I wouldn’t sayeasy.”

He turned his head toward me. “Look at me,” he said. I met his gaze, and he continued, “I don’t know how many times I’d have to tell you this, but I’d even start a podcast if I have to. You are the strongest woman I know, Liv. Not many women would’ve handled this whole situation the way you have, and I’m proud of you.”

We sat in silence so thick I could swear he could hear my heart pounding in my chest. Then, I saw it clearly in his eyes—desire, the same intense feeling that had kept me in a chokehold all evening.

Leaning closer, he prompted me to close my eyes, and I could sense his soft breaths on my lips. Tilting my head to the side, I prepared for what felt like an imminent kiss.

Suddenly, the loud blaring of my ringtone tore through the silence.

He cleared his throat, leaning back, and I reached for my phone in my bag, thinking of a good reason not to fling it into the cold, dark evening. I sighed as I ended the call.

“It’s Sam. She’s probably looking for me.”

“Well, ending the call definitely wouldn’t help.”

“I know.” I sighed, inches away from tearing up. I had lost what would have been the highlight of my day—a perfect kiss under a perfect sky. I understood there was no getting it back; we had battled with our consciences hard enough to get that close.

He sighed before getting back to his feet. “We better get you home. You’ve got a launching party to plan.”

I sighed again, cheering up this time as I got to my feet as well. “And you, a charity event.”

He led my hand and led us back the way we came.

***

The next two days went by faster than I could keep up with, and the next thing I knew, I was standing in front of my mirror. Sam stood behind me, smiling from ear to ear.

“I hate that I’m going to miss your launch. You look so stunning,” she said, and I couldn’t deny it. I had my hair styled into a neat bun, two silky strands falling down the sides of my slightly made-up face.

There were dark circles around my eyes, which made my fair skin appear even fairer, and my dark red lipstick popped. A slim necklace with a diamond pendant rested on my neck, matching the studs in my ears.

I turned, observing how the shimmering gold dress hugged my figure, accentuating my curves. It fell just below my knee, giving room for the soft glow of my skin above my ankles, strapped in black heels. I felt like it was prom night all over again.

“I hate you. How could you miss it?” I said, turning to Sam, who stood in her regular casual fit.

“I’m really sorry. My department is just under heavy pressure this period, and it would be selfish of me if—”

I pulled her into a hug. “I know, you’ve got to go save the day again. It’s enough for me knowing I have your full support no matter what part of the world you are.”

She tightened our embrace. “Always, Oly. I will always love and support you.”

“Always,” I whispered, fighting back tears.

We released each other, and I chuckled. I was overwhelmed by how much love and support I had gotten over the past few days. If anyone had told me, the day I walked away from that altar, that I would still be in the same city, living my best life only weeks later, I would’ve denied it.

As we walked out of the house, we found Alex standing in front of a car, his back facing us. I wondered where he was always getting cars from, especially since this wasn’t even his city.

Then again, he was pretty rich and apparently very famous.

He turned around, and his cheeky smile dropped as his eyes found me. “Well, fuck Greg.”

Chapter sixteen

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