Page 149 of The Boss Situation

His face softens. “You. Just you.Always you.”

“Because I’m your glass slipper.”

“No.” He shakes his head. “Because you’re the only one it fits.”

I reach over and press the button. The elevator jolts and continues its descent to the ground floor.

“I know you’re upset with me, and you have every fucking right to be. But please give me a chance to explain. Afterward, if you never want to speak to me again, I’ll make sure your wish comes true.”

I meet his eyes, seeing the resolve behind his gaze.

“You’d pretend I didn’t exist?” I ask.

“If that’s what you want.”

I hold up the folio. “Truly riveting information.”

“Give it to me,” he says, holding out his hand.

“Not a fucking chance. This is now mine. Hope you have your plan memorized,” I sneer.

The elevator doors slide open, and as I move to walk away, he gently grabs my elbow, pulling me back to him. The smell of his cologne and the lingering taste of his lips on mine nearly do me in.

“I promise I had your best interest in mind,” he whispers in my ear.

I don’t know if I want to kiss or smack him. “Fuck off, Banks.”

He laughs, and I hate that I love the sound of it. “Great. Am I still seeing you tonight at around eight for dinner?”

I glare at him, feeling hurt and pissed, and then walk away. As I glance over my shoulder, to see if he’s following me, I see the elevator doors slide closed. Asher is returning to my brothers, to the puppet masters of it all.

As I step out into blinding sunlight, paparazzi swarm me, likevultures circling fresh prey. Their cameras flash relentlessly, capturing every fractured emotion etched across my face—anger, heartbreak, determination. Everything I am has always been laid out for the public to scrutinize. Why would now be any different?

I slide into the car that’s waiting for me and zoom toward Bellamore.

Right now, I don’t know who to trust. Considering how my heart flutters when Asher’s near, I can’t even trust myself.

31

ASHER

Seeing Billie so upset with me has left a hole in my fucking heart. Over the years, we’ve been at each other’s throat, tearing out the other’s jugular, and had public blowups that were just short of gouging out one another’s eyes.

But this is different. This time, it’s so damn personal that it hurts deep inside.

Not telling her about Project Glass Slipper sooner might be one of my biggest mistakes. I understand what it’s like to have trust issues and be betrayed.

I think back to where the folio was kept. I must’ve forgotten to put it away, which was careless, but so is keeping secrets from the person you love.

My anger steadily boils on the elevator ride to the top floor, and I’m upset with myself. I step into Easton’s office and close the door more forcefully than intended.

“Did you know she would be here? Was this a setup?” I glare at them incredulously.

“No,” Weston mutters. “We’re masterminds, but that shitwasn’t planned.”

“What did you want to speak to me about?” I ask, checking my watch, needing to leave immediately.

Nick is still in the car, waiting for me. I’ve already been here for nearly ten minutes.

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