Page 5 of Billion-Dollar Dating Game

And the year after that she’d met him again. They’d both been guests at a formal graduation function of their old school. Even at eighteen she’d still felt awkward, wearing a thrift shop dress that was too big in the bust. Most dresses were still too big in the bust. She’d been nervously excited, knowing Zane was going to be there. Because despite everything, she’d never forgotten that kiss and at that point she’d not yet had another. At first she’d been too shy to look him in the eye; she’d forced her attention on being polite to Reed Helberg. The generous, old CEO rarely made appearances at events like that.

When she’d finally summoned the courage to glance over at Zane, he’d met her gaze for less than a second before coldly turning his back. She’d been flattened. He didn’t talk directly to her. She’d noticed he’d not even politely applauded when she was announced as the Helberg Scholar—with a full ride to a prestigious university. He’d only deigned to shoot her a patronisingly sarcastic look as she’d sat back down, as if it were somehow disappointing to him that she’d accepted such an amazing offer. Anger had brewed in her then. But Zane hadn’t bothered to look her way again. He’d spoken only briefly to Reed—and it was evident Zane hadn’t thought much of him either. He’d been so rude he’d actually left before dessert, and on his way out he’d muttered to her beneath his breath.

‘You’re pathetic.’

His dismissal that night, his arrogant rudeness, had destroyed the remnants of her crush completely.

So, if she were an awful person, she’d whip out her phone right now and post an anonymous tip on social media to let the single women of the world know exactly where the three billionaire baits could be found. By now they were probably in the sauna—as if it wasn’t hot enough in Manhattan in July. But these men did everything to extremes, including how many women they dated.

Skylar had zero interest in securing a date with any of them, least of all Zane deMarco. She only wanted to know whether he was discussing Helberg Holdings with those other sharks, but short of sneaking into the gym changing rooms to eavesdrop she wasn’t about to find out. But she was certain Zane would want Helberg—it was exactly the kind of prize that he liked. Big and sparkling, coveted by all. He liked to take such things and tear them apart. Just because he could.

But if Zane ripped Helberg to bits, as she knew he would, he’d ruin the hopes and futures of countless other kids like her who would benefit from a Helberg scholarship. Plus he’d also threaten the livelihoods of so many workers who’d been loyal to Helberg for decades, and Skylar simply couldn’t stand for that.

A bunch of people dressed in red, white and blue burst into the cafe, wreathed in smiles and excitement. Skylar stilled, remembering how the rest of the country wasn’t working today because they had feasts and parties to attend with family and friends.

Zane deMarco might not have much family but he liked to party harder than anyone—especially with all his female ‘friends.’

She pulled out her phone and did a quick search to remind herself that indeed this was the one time of year that he sometimes returned—not to the enclave of groundskeepers, caretakers, cleaners and cooks, but to an elite annual party at an oceanfront summer residence that would be a permanent palace for anyone ordinary. Danielle Chapman’s Independence Day party.

Skylar jumped off her seat, energy bursting as a plan formed. A year older than her, it had been Danielle’s job to settle Skylar into that new school because she spent part of her summers on Long Island. Despite their vast differences, they’d actually got on well and Danielle’s approval had spared Skylar from a lot of bullying. Danielle still spent every summer on the island. Her parties were exclusive and discreet. The few invitations she sent were coveted, but every year she sent Skylar one—ditto to her Halloween party upstate. It was a running joke between them that Skylar could never make either because of work. Danielle had been teasing Skylar about working too hard for years. But Skylar wasn’t a party person and to tell the truth, seeing via socials that Zane had attended Danielle’s most recent parties, she’d had all the more reasonnotto go. Not this year though.

Skylar shot the health club doors a final glance. She wasn’t going to sit around waiting just to spot them in the distance and do nothing. She had to takeaction. She’dgoto Danielle’s party tonight. Zane would surely be there and the guy wasnotdiscreet. If she could get within earshot, it might give her a chance to find out for herself what his plans were. She whipped out her phone while she still had momentum.

‘You’re coming?’ Danielle shrieked less than a minute later. ‘Fantastic! You know the dress code is white—do you need something to wear? You’ll stay the night out here? Do you need transport?’

Skylar laughed as she refused all Danielle’s offers of additional help. It was enough for her to actually go; she liked her independence. And she held back from asking for confirmation that Zane would be there. It was a crazy long shot, but one she had to take.

CHAPTER THREE

JUSTAFTERLUNCHTIME,Skylar boarded the crowded bus, hardly about to spend any of her savings by charting a helicopter like the other party guests would. Most of them didn’t have to earn their own money. She used the hours to get on top of the work she’d not got to this morning. But as the bus neared her destination, her heart grew heavy. She hadn’t been home since her father had passed unexpectedly two years ago. She’d packed up their old little apartment and not looked back. She’d just kept her head down at Helberg, knowing how proud her father had been of her achievements. Loyalty was everything—he’d drilled that into her over and over and she still felt the need to repay that debt. So she wasn’t going to let Zane tear her company apart like it was nothing. Her colleagues were her family and they were stressed enough in the face of a difficult retail climate. But she’d seen Zane’s stone-cold centre and she had to know his plans for sure.

‘Wow.’ Danielle greeted her with a wide smile and a huge hug. ‘You look amazing.’

Yeah, her make-up, dress and shoes weren’t exactly her usual sedate style. She’d had limited options, what with almost every store closed for the holiday. Having to wear white but not wanting to lookbridalmeant she’d had to take the silk dress that skimmed her figure a touch too close, plus had a high split to the side of the long skirt.

‘And you’re still rocking that high ponytail.’ Danielle winked as she handed Skylar a cocktail.

Yeah, long hair tied up was still her thing. It wasn’t exactly deliberate. She just never took the time off to get to the hairdressers often and it was easier to keep the length out of her face by either braid or ponytail.

Squaring her shoulders, she sallied forth into the party. She could do this.

Within ten minutes, she knew she’d made a mistake. There were too many people. While she could hold her own in a work meeting, this sort of socialising didn’t come naturally. Attending that private school should have helped but in fact had only made her reticence worse. Her father had taught her that trust took a long time to build and was easily destroyed. She had to be careful. Maintaining relationships took a lot of effort, so she had few. Her work was her constant focus, which was why she’d do anything to save it—even engage with the destroyer himself. But as time ticked by, he didn’t show and her discomfort increased.

Seeking space, she stepped outside. The lush green lawns leading to the beach were immaculately groomed and she wistfully thought of her father, who’d have been spotting the rare patch that needed work. She walked along the thick hedgerow that formed the side boundary to another palatial holiday home next door. There was a gap along the row and she turned into it, following the path before stopping, surprised to discover a secret garden before her—a rectangular space filled with mature fruit trees, a couple of sun loungers placed in their shade. Completely hidden from view of the houses, the stunning little sanctuary had obviously been here for decades.

She inhaled deep and relaxed properly for the first time in days. Tossing her small bag on the nearest lounger, she strolled beneath the shade of the pretty fruit trees, holding her long ponytail up high so she could feel the slight breeze on her back.

‘What are you doing?’ a low drawl sounded right behind her.

She spun, dropping her arm. ‘What—’

She jerked to a halt, her hair pulling hard as she tried to step back. It took a blink before she realised her ponytail had caught on the low-slung branch above as she’d turned. Now she tried to shake it free with a nonchalant jerk of her head. She failed.

Ridiculous.

He was staring at her wide-eyed.Him—breaker of hearts, destroyer of moods, thief of peace. Zane deMarco himself.

‘Now look what you...’ She trailed off, mortified as she reached up blindly and tried to detangle the long strands caught above her.

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