Page 46 of Billionaire Bachelor
He points to me. “That’s the one.”
“What about her?”
“Well…I have a date with her on Friday. But her friend just came into town unexpectedly, so now she can’t go unlessIhave a friend to set her friend up with. She doesn’t want to ditch her.”
“Oh, hell no.” I laugh.
Ryan gives me a ridiculous pout. “C’mon, man. It’s not a pity date. I swear this girl is a smoke show. Penny showed me a picture. When’s the last time you went on an actual date? It’ll be real chill. She wants to hit up a food truck then we’re going to see a movie at the rooftop cinema.”
The last thing I want to do is cozy up on a bean bag for two hours with someone who isn’t Rosie.
I shake my head. “Sorry, man. Not gonna happen.”
“Why not? You got your eye on someone?”
I hesitate, makinghiseyes narrow.
Shit.
I shrug.“I’m just not in the mood for a setup, man. Work’s a mess right now, and I don’t need the added distraction.”
Ryan scoffs. “I call bullshit. You haven’t been in the mood for adistractionfor severalmonths now, which is weird as hell for you, dude. You say you weren’t fucking your brains out in Tahoe. You claim you’re not interested in anyone. So, what’s the harm in spending a few hours with a beautiful woman? She lives in Sonoma, so it’s not like she’s looking for anything beyond one night. It’s a win-win situation, Logan.”
I reach for my drink, buying myself a second to think. I don’t trust myself to sit here and outright lie to his face. But if I don’t come up with a solid reason, he’s going to keep digging. And if he keeps digging, it won’t be long before he realizes that all signs point to Rosie.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
“Okay, fine. Thereissomeone I’m interested in.” I hold a hand up when he opens his mouth to speak. “No, I’mnotgiving you any details, because it’s new, and she’s asked me to keep it between us for now. I’m going to respect her wishes.”
Well, look at that. One-hundred-percent honesty, no fists to my face. How’s that for a win-win situation, buddy?
Ryan studies me, a little too intently for my comfort, as he swirls the ice around his glass. “Where’d you meet her? Is she an actress? Model? Oh, maybe an influencer? She must have some level of fame if she asked you to keep it quiet.”
I shake my head, shutting him down. “No detailsmeans you don’t get to ask questions.”
He leans forward, resting his arms on the table. “Fine. I’ll let you have your little secret for now. I’ll get it out of you eventually.” His lips curve into a smirk. “Or maybe I’ll have my mom grill you for answers. You’re still coming to her birthday party, right?”
I nearly groan.
There’s no way I can flake on this party. But the thought of me and Rosie being in the same house as her brother, their parents, and half their extended family feels like a live grenade, waiting to blow. It’ll be hard enough keeping my hands off of her, but I honestly don’t know if I’ll be able to keep my eyes off of her, too. And I’m scared shitless I’ll give something away the second one of her family members catches me doing it, especially their mom. Tatum Morales is nothing if not tenacious when she senses one of her children is interested in someone. And even though I’m not blood, she’s almost as invested in my love life as Ryan is.
Dammit. I need to veer this conversation into safer territory.
“Of course, I’ll be there. I’d never miss an opportunity to make you look like a chump when it’s time to open gifts.”
“Real funny, dick.” He flips me off.
I laugh. “You’re worried now, aren’t you?”
Ryan glares. “No.”
“Sure, buddy. You keep telling yourself that.”
“Fuck off,” he mutters.
Beverly’s back with our food, and after that, thankfully, our conversation remains in neutral waters. But my brain is still running calculations. If PPA is playing us, I need to figure out a way to get ahead of it. Because I really can’t afford to gamble on this deal.
17
