Page 18 of Old Money

You’re a good man, Julian Everett.

I wait a beat then see the dots appear on my screen.

He sends just a question mark, and I send the link to the article.

There’s another pause, then he texts back.

I don’t know what you’re talking about,he says.How’s the apartment?

I smile.

Amazing. I really can’t thank you enough. Like I said, you’re a good man, Julian.

He ignores my compliments.

What are you doing?

Starting season four.

Without me?

I smile and bite my lip.

You’re welcome to step away from boring billionaire grown-up life and join.

I press send, and then I immediately feel my stomach turn. I think I just tried to proposition Julian Everett. Again.

I see the read receipt pop up. My stomach flips again. I see dots then nothing.

I wait a few minutes.

Still nothing.

Fuck.I just propositioned Julian Everett, and he rejected me. Again.

I lie back on the couch and turn the TV up, trying to drown out the voice in my head that’s reminding me how fucking embarrassing I am. I stare at the television, letting my foot bounce on the ground for an entire episode. I check my phone one last time then throw it down on the coffee table. I lie back on the couch then grab one of my throw pillows and hold it against my face, letting out a frustrated scream into it.

As I’m in the midst of my theatrics, I jump at a loud knock on my door. I swallow as I slink off the couch, tiptoeing across my own living room to look through the peephole.

Oh, my god.

I run a hand through my hair and then swallow as I unlock the door and open it.

“Hi,” I say. His hair is perfectly combed and styled, and he’s got a suit on that sends that white-hot heat between my legs.

“Hi,” he says. “Get dressed. We’re going out.”

JULIAN

I’m sitting on the living room couch in her apartment—which is technicallymyapartment—while she gets ready, and I am realizing how fucking stupid I am. I was practically giddy when she texted me earlier, and when she not-so-subtly asked me to join her, I turned into a horny teenage boy. It wasn’t till I was halfway here that I realized I can’t fuck her.

It wouldn’t be right.

She’s attached to me. The wholehero syndromething.

She’s completely vulnerable, and I won’t do it to her. I can’t give her what she needs.

So instead, I’m taking her to dinner, and I’ll slowly torture myself all fucking night.

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