Page 57 of Billion Dollar Dispute

“Choir music,” he adds, the corners of his mouth curling up.

I roll my eyes, crossing my arms. “Stop messing around. Take a real guess.”

“I am,” he says with a smirk, not looking at me as he focuses on driving.

“Country.”

I shake my head, smiling. “Nope. I enjoy it, but I’m a 90s girl at heart.”

He raises an eyebrow, peering at me. “You must have some interesting stories.”

I smirk. “My lips are sealed.”

His eyes glow with mischief as he chuckles. “We’ll see about that. I’ll get them out of you sooner or later.”

I stay silent, my senses heightened in such a small space. His scent grows stronger, my heart beats louder in my ears, and the car’s smooth yet powerful ride is an experience I won’t get again so I simply sit back and enjoy the purr of it.

Staring out the window, an easy smile forms on my lips as we pass familiar streets. We soon arrive at another parking lot. Before I unbuckle, Harvey’s hand lands on my knee, squeezing it firmly.

“Are you okay?”

I turn to him, ignoring the twitch in my thigh where his hand rests. “Yeah, why?”

“You’re quiet.”

I can’t deny it, but I won’t tell him I was thinking about Chad being in his car. I don’t want him offering him a ride. Keeping them apart is better for all of us. No one will end up hurt that way. “I’m just nervous.”

“You? Nervous?” He sounds genuinely surprised, his eyes briefly flicking to me before returning to the front.

“Yeah, is it that shocking?” A slight laugh escapes me, though it’s more out of nerves than humor.

“You usually seem unfazed by everything.”

I take a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach. “I need Oliver to like this.”

He stares at me, this time with a look of understanding. “You really want this job.”

I meet his gaze, my heart beating a little faster, and nod. “Yes, I do.”

“Are you confident you’ve done your best?”

I don’t hesitate as the word comes out easily. “Yes.”

His hand moves higher, squeezing just above my knee. “Then you’ll be fine.”

He’s right, and his words calm me. What I’ve put together meets all Oliver’s requirements. There’s nothing to be worried about.

“Thanks.”

His hand slips from my leg as he climbs out of the car, coming around to open my door again. This gentlemanly behavior is making my head spin.

“Who taught you that?” I ask. It’s another reason he’s a good male figure for Chad.

“I watched my father do it for my mom.”

Whenever he talks about his family, it hits me in the heart. It’s not hard to connect with him. It’s easier to keep him at a distance when he’s not sharing personal stories with me, especially since not every family is as dysfunctional as the one I’ve created for Chad. I never intended it, but it kills me that he doesn’t get the family he deserves.

“Your dad sounds like a good man.” I smirk, a brief, amused expression flickering across my face, but I shake it off. Forcing myself back into business mode, I clear my throat, straightening up. “Now show me where Oliver's office is.”

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