Page 23 of Burning for the Billionaire 7

“Thank you for this, Rowan,” Grace says, tipping on her toes to kiss my cheek.

Just like that, I’m over my irritation and grin like a fool.

Matt watches on with amusement.

“Be quiet,” I tell him.

He’s a picture of wide-eyed innocence. “I didn’t say a word.”

“Your smirk says it all.” I know I’ve got it bad for Grace.

“They’re bringing out the paintings,” Grace whispers.

Matt faces forward, already riveted. I stifle a groan when my image is revealed.

“Good Lord.” Matt chuckles. “Row, you look great. You know, if you’re ever in need of a new career, you can consider modeling.”

Grace giggles. “He’s a natural.”

“Hilarious, you two.”

They continue their ribbing, with Matt expressing how much I look like “one of those Michelangelo statues.” That tickles Grace and her laughter makes me want to smile.

However, my amusement dies when someone says, “I think I know him!”

My shoulders stiffen as I follow the voice to a middle-aged woman.

She beams at me and says to the younger woman standing beside her, “It is him.”

I frown, trying to make out her face. She has the look of one of the many people I’ve seen at those high-profile events I hate attending.

Matt and Grace exchange worried glances. It’s like they know what I’ve already guessed.

The woman hurries over. “You’re a Lockwood, aren’t you? This whole time, you’ve been right under our noses.”

“Do I know you?” I ask. I don’t even know why I’m trying to play dumb at this point.

She throws out a name that sounds vaguely familiar. “Why have you been hiding? We’ve all wondered about Allan’s heir, God rest his dear soul. And it’s been you all along. Unless your friend is lying.”

I gawk at the woman. “Friend?”

“The pretty one you attended my husband’s dinner with last year.”

Devlin. So, this is the card she’s playing.

The woman’s younger companion whips out her phone. I blink against the flash, taking a moment to think how rude she is. Then it hits me that I’m going to be the subject of breaking news by tomorrow.

Goodbye, normal life.

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