Page 32 of Bestie's Bossy Billionaire Brother
I nod as she starts off, enjoying the view of the ballroom from my seat.
My eyes wander across the room and I can’t help but notice Jason is there, talking with a group of our mutual friends. He pauses and looks up at me before I quickly avert my gaze, feeling like I’ve been caught.
Before I can process the situation, Jason is walking slowly in my direction. He’s dressed in a smart black suit, and his eyes piercingly lock on to mine. A jolt of unease twists my stomach as he approaches, a stark reminder of vulnerabilities I thought I’d conquered. His strides become more determined as he moves closer, and in a reflex, I quickly rise from my chair, steeling myself with a breath, ready to face whatever shadow he’s casting my way now.
He comes to a stop at the table and looks me up and down, the familiarity in his gaze both disconcerting and invasive. “You look beautiful,” he says, words that once might have made my heart flutter, now only heightening my defenses.
I clear my throat. “Thanks.”
“I’m glad to see you here,” he continues.
“What are you even doing here?”
“I figured it would be a good opportunity to network and meet some new photographers. I’m selling a few of my buildings. I could use a high-quality photographer since my old one… ended our engagement.”
I roll my eyes, unsure how he expects me to respond to that.
He leans forward, resting his arms on the table between us. “Look, I wanted to come over and apologize.”
“For sabotaging my job or for cheating on me?”
“For both. I’ve been a jerk and I know it,” he continues. “And I want to make it up to you. I know I can’t change what I did, but I want you to know that I never want our relationship to be strained. That’s why I wanted to come over and talk. And I’ll clear the air with your old boss, I swear.”
“I appreciate the apology,” I reply. “But that doesn’t change what you did.”
“Listen, I know we haven’t talked in a while,” he starts. “But there’s something important that needs to be said.”
I release a sigh and peer around the room. “Jason, please. Not here.”
“I know I messed up, but all I want is for us to give our relationship another chance.” His eyes plead with me, begging for a second chance.
“Jason, stop,” I reply.
“I want you back,” he says, his voice steady despite the nerves that I can sense in his words. “I know I don’t have any right to ask this of you, and I know I screwed up. But… I’d like for us to start over.”
“You got another woman pregnant, Jason,” I retort, disgusted by his suggestion.
His face twists into a look of regret. “I know,” he admits. “And that is thebiggestmistake of my life. That’s why I want to make it right with you. I want to start over, if you’ll have me.”
He attempts to reach for my hand, but I pull it back. “I can’t believe you, Jason. You couldn’t care less about the consequences of your actions.”
“Catherine,” he groans.
“Unfortunately, any feelings I still had for you have disappeared,” I interject, my expression serious. “I have no desire to get back together with you.”
“Stop being so difficult,” he replies, his eyes burning with irritation. “We’re surrounded by people, and it would look awful for you professionally if we got into an argument here.”
“Then don’t give me a reason to argue,” I retort. “I’m not interested in getting back together with you.Ever.”
“Let’s go somewhere more private when we can talk things out.”
“You can’t fix something like this,” I whisper, feeling my eyes fill with tears. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I want to enjoy the rest of the gala in peace. You can have the table.”
I turn around and try to regain my composure before gathering up my things.
“You’re making a huge mistake, Catherine,” he insists.
“No, she isn’t,” a familiar voice says from behind me.
