Page 36 of Dr. Billionaire
Mark blinked, clearly taken aback. “Uh, yeah, I guess I’m lucky to have that freedom,” he replied diplomatically.
Chloe didn’t let up. “Freedom,” she snorted, taking a sip of her wine. “More like a license to be shallow. Meeting women on a sugar daddy website? Seems pretty superficial to me. You’ll want Jenna for a month or so and then you’ll move on to greener grass.”
Jenna’s jaw dropped. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She knew Mark had told Scott how they met, but Chloe didn’t know Scott knew, and even if she did this was still the rudest possible way to bring it up. “Chlo, what’s going on?” she asked, trying to keep her voice calm, but Chloe ignored her.
Mark shifted uncomfortably. “I didn’t exactly plan on meeting someone that way. Jenna and I just… connected.”
“Connected?” Chloe shot back, her blue eyes flashing with disdain. “I’m sure it had nothing to do with your bank account.”
Jenna felt a pang of frustration and worry. This wasn’t like Chloe at all.
“Chloe, stop it,” Jenna said firmly, reaching out to touch Chloe’s arm. “This doesn’t seem like it’s really about Mark or me. If you have something on your mind, let’s talk about it later, okay?”
Chloe’s eyes flickered with a mixture of defiance and exhaustion. She opened her mouth, ready to retort, but then closed it, her shoulders slumping. She downed the rest of her wine and mumbled, “Whatever. I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking.”
“It isn’t like that, Chloe. Our feelings for each other are genuine. Mark has been nothing but kind and generous, and he’s treated me well,” Jenna felt her voice begin to quiver, and Mark moved his hand to her knee, squeezing it gently.
“Jenna, it’s okay,” Mark told her.
Scott shifted in his chair, clearly uncomfortable with the tension that had descended over the dinner. “Let’s just all take a deep breath,” he said, trying to lighten the mood. “We’re here to have a good time, right?”
Chloe turned to look daggers at Scott. “Sure. That’s all you men ever want is a good time. Forget about who gets hurt in the process. As long as your dick gets wet?—”
“Hey,” Scott said, in a tone firm enough that all three of them quieted and looked at him. His gaze was on Chloe. “That’s enough,” he told her. His eyes were gentle, but his voice was hard, and Chloe immediately blushed bright crimson.
Jenna had never seen her react like that. She seemed taken aback by Scott’s response, but there was something else in her expression too. Had Scott impressed her?
Reaching for her bag, Chloe quickly stood up. “I can see I’m ruining everyone’s good time tonight, so I’ll leave you all to have your dinner.”
Jenna could tell she was still trying to sound confident, but her earlier bravado had vanished, replaced by a shadow of vulnerability.
“Chloe!” Jenna called out, but her friend was already hurrying toward the exit.
Jenna began to push her chair back, but Mark touched her arm. “Just give her some space, baby. You can call her later.”
Jenna nodded. She knew he was right, although her heart was aching seeing Chloe like that. It felt wrong not to follow her.
“I’m sorry about that,” Jenna said to Scott. “She just went through a really hard breakup. That’s not how she usually is.”
“I completely get it,” Scott said, looking cool as a cucumber and like he hadn’t just witnessed a scene straight out of a soap opera. “Breakups are tough. I went through one myself a few months ago. I’d been with her for three years.”
“Yeah. Carly,” Mark chimed in. “What a shame that breakup was.” His voice was dripping with sarcasm.
“Mark never liked her,” Scott said, shaking his head.
“She acted like your mom. We’d go out for a drink, and she’d Facetime you every twenty minutes.”
“He’s exaggerating,” Scott said. “Anyway, I get how Chloe feels. Tell her there’s no hard feelings and we should all get dinner together soon.”
“I will,” Jenna said.
The waiter wandered tentatively over to their table, refilling their glasses with wine. He had obviously witnessed Chloe’s breakdown and had waited until everything looked settled to reappear.
“Will your guest be re-joining us?” he asked.
“No,” Jenna said somberly.
“Why don’t we order the charcuterie, and we’ll have another bottle,” Mark gestured to the wine on the table. “We can save a longer dinner for another time.”
