Page 70 of BillionHeir
“That would be difficult from across the Atlantic,” I answer dryly.
“Lucky for you, I decided to make the trip as well. Figured you might need a wingman for whatever groveling you have to do. Besides, my uncle is having that charity thing tomorrow night. I promised I would make an appearance.”
“I don’t need a wingman for shit.”
“So Chloe has forgiven you then?” he asks, accurately assuming that we are still on the outs.
I take a deep breath.
“I am actually working on that now,” I say as I watch the bartender take a round of pints I ordered over to the table Chloe is sitting at with her date.
The bartender sets the beers down on the table and gestures in my direction before walking away. Chloe’s cautious eyes meet mine, and I tip my glass to her casually as though ending up in the same bar as her is no big deal. Then I turn my back on the scene and return my attention to my phone conversation.
“I can see that,” Liam says, walking up to the barstool next to me and hanging up his phone.
“How did you know where I would be?”
“Henry told me. He called after he made plans with you, no doubt assuming that I was here in London with you. So what did I do? I brought your Gulfstream over like the good friend that I am. You are welcome, by the way.”
“Oh, you flew for free on my private jet as a favor for me? Is that it?”
Liam ignores me as he turns around and waves at Chloe who has the audacity to smile at him and wave back.
I hate that he is getting the look I didn’t. I hate that any man is getting her attention other than me.
I am scowling at Liam when he finally looks back at me.
“Who is the guy?” he asks, tipping his head toward her table as he signals the bartender for a pint of his own.
“No clue,” I answer before taking a sip of my dark bitter stout as I lean against the bar dejectedly.
“Gentlemen,” Chloe says from behind me, startling me so much that I nearly knock my beer all over the bar.
“Chloe, so good to see you,” Liam responds good naturedly as if everything was normal.
“What brings you boys in?” Chloe asks, keeping up the charade while avoiding eye contact with me. She even goes so far as to obviously angle her body away from me.
“A friend of ours suggested the place,” Liam answers, looking entertained as hell.
“Did he? What are the chances?” Chloe’s voice implies that I have somehow orchestrated this situation, and I can understand why.
“Who is your date?”
Say what you want about Liam, but the guy is a solid friend. He said he was here to play wingman and he wasn’t kidding.
“Date?” Chloe asks, feigning confusion. She looks over her shoulder, to the guy who is sitting at their table blatantly watching this whole conversation play out. “That is Colin.”
I notice that she neither confirms nor denies the fact that she is on a date right now. I look over at Colin. His eyes are on me, sizing me up it seems. He lifts the fresh beer I just sent and tipsit toward me in thanks before taking a sip. He is either incredibly cocky, or he knows something I don’t.
“Can we talk please?” I finally say, trying to redirect Chloe’s attention to me.
“Um . . .” she says, her eyes bouncing around nervously before finally landing on mine. Her brow crinkles slightly before she answers, hesitantly. “I suppose.”
I look around for somewhere a little more private than out here in front of the whole pub, but there aren’t many options. Aside from a short hallway that leads to what I am guessing are the bathrooms, there is not really anywhere to go. I am just going to have to make this work.
I grab her hand and lead her outside onto the sidewalk. I look both directions and spot an alley to the side of the building. I lead her around to the darker area where we can have a little more privacy, turning her so that her back is against the wall. This position gives me a good look at her face and has the beneficial side effect of blocking her from trying to run away from me again.
It still smarts that she took off on me this afternoon. But I have regrouped, and I am ready to try one last time to get her to hear me.
