Page 16 of Arrogant Playboy

“Awfully generous of you,” Ivy adds, those eyes narrowing on me.

“That piece had been there for a while and wasn’t moving, so thought we would try that,” I lie.

“Like I said, Rosie is a hard worker when it comes to her career. She has been working her ass off in my company, and a rumor about the two of you could have an adverse effect on her career,” Ivy explains.

“She seems like a nice girl, but way too young for me.”

“Rosie is a beautiful woman, and she is someone that I would set you up with if we all didn’t work together. You’re Daniel DuPont, and she’s a rising star designer, you hooking up withher won’t hurt your reputation, but for her, people might think she is sleeping her way to the top,” Ivy tells me.

“No one would think that.”

“A competitor might and use it to their advantage. Look what happened with one of mine. She dated my ex to try to beat me, and she did, she won the award. I’m just saying this industry can be cutthroat.”

I had no idea.

“I was worried because I left the two of you alone for lunch, and I noticed the flirtation, and then you sent her an expensive piece of art.” Her eyes narrow on me. “I’m just looking out for my staff,” Ivy explains.

“I can assure you nothing is going on. Do I think she is hot? Yes. But that’s all,” I explain to Ivy.

“Good. Honestly, Rosie is amazing and I’m being selfish because I can see you two together. I have a lot of plans regarding my business, and Rosie features predominately in them. If you broke her heart …. She’s irreplaceable.”

Wow. Okay. I had no idea Ivy felt that way about her.

“What happens if Daniel does like Rosie?” Jasper asks.

“I’m not going to stand in the way of your happiness, Daniel. If Rosie wants to date you, then that’s her choice, but please don’t pursue her if it’s just a bit of fun,” Ivy says softly.

“I’m glad I’m not single anymore, that shit sounds exhausting.” Jasper moans as he pulls Lauren to his side and kisses her on the temple.

“Am I that bad?” I ask my friends.

“We were all like you once,” Alex says diplomatically.

“Some worse than others,” Alistair adds, looking over at Jasper.

“Hey, my hooks-up were at The Paradise Club, where I didn’t have to worry about drama,” Jasper adds.

“I’m sorry, Daniel. I didn’t mean for it to sound bad,” Ivy says.

I wave off her apology. “I get it.”

“You deserve happiness, like what we have all found,” Ivy says, looking up at me.

“Look, Rosie is a cool girl, and I do actually like her because she’s funny and intelligent, and she’s also hot, but she has made it clear there will only ever be a working relationship between us,” I tell Ivy, easing her worries.

“Thanks for a nice night,”I say, giving Ivy a kiss on the cheek.

“I appreciate you coming, and I promise next time no third degrees on your love life.” Ivy smiles.

“That would be great,” I tell her.

“Same time next week?” Alex asks hopefully.

“Might be more a once-a-month thing for this single guy.” I love my friends, but being around them talking about weddings and shit over the dinner table is a lot.

“Fine, we will catch up again soon, then,” he says.

I head downstairs and out onto the road where my Uber is waiting for me. I get in, sit, and start scrolling mindlessly on my phone. My socials suggest someone I might know calledRedheadedRose,and there staring back at me are Rosie Hunt’s socials, all open for me to snoop around.Thank you, algorithm.I start scrolling through her photos and it’s a lot of pictures of her drinking cocktails all over London. Then I stumble upon photos of work that she’s completed with Starr Designs as I see Ivy’s business has been tagged in them. Her work is good. If this is truly what she has been creating, then she might be the right person for my house in Kent. I bought thisestate in Kent as a country escape. Instead of hopping on a plane and heading to one of my places, I can get in my car and be out of the city within an hour. It’s laid empty for months, I bought it just before Louis’ life imploded. The only thing I’ve done is the art.

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