Page 15 of My Arrogant Millionaire

»Oh wow, the classic. So that’s the kind of guy he is?«

»Yes, apparently. And I, the foolish cow, had a different impression during our date. He was funny, sweet, attentive... I don’t know, the whole damn fairy-tale-prince package!« This time, Will’s expression was sympathetic, and I turned away. »Don’t look at me like that; it makes me feel even more stupid. The thing is, I don’t even want a relationship!« I looked back up, and my best friend nodded understandingly. He reached across the table for my hand and held it. »After the thing with Mel, I just wanted to have some fun, and it shouldn’t bother me that he treats me like air after I had the best night of my past six months with him!«

»But of course it affects you. He doesn’t appreciate you if he pulls a stunt like that when he could have woken you up and talked to you honestly.«

I sighed, Will squeezed my fingers, and withdrew his hand. »Do you want to stay with Ceci and me again?«

»No, I don’t want to burden you anymore; I’ve done that for far too long! I’m already looking for a new apartment! Now that I’ll have a steady income again, the search is much easier.« A lame attempt at a failed joke. »But come on, let’s eat now, because it smells delicious, and tomorrow the world will look different again! How’s Ceci’s plan with her flower shop?«

Will began to tell the story, and I listened attentively. Okay, I tried, at least, for my gaze might have drifted once or twice to Baron. It was a huge mistake, for the second time he was staring at me. Even from a distance, I could see how tense his facial expression was and how he pressed his chiseled jaw and beautiful mouth together. Was he jealous? Did the dinner with my best friend, complete with beef filet and candles on the table, look like a date?

It was childish, petty, and simply stupid, but inside me grew the desire to get back at him. So I leaned even more over the tabletop, resting my chin on my hand while intently listening to Will. He continued talking and didn’t seem to notice at first, but then he faltered.

»And then she... Grace? Everything alright?«

»Yes, yes, of course,« I chimed.

Will sighed. »Please don’t. You’re not seriously going to play the jealousy card now, are you? Really?«

I laughed exaggeratedly and gently slapped him on the arm. »Yes! Just play along and save my pride, at least, because it seems he’s not as indifferent as I thought.«

Will’s grin broadened. »Okay, but only because we’ve been friends for twenty years, Stone! And it’s also a little fun.«

He licked his lips and stood up. My friend was an attractive man. He cared about his appearance and his physique, and even though he wasn’t as tall and muscular as Baron, he could easily compete. Will circled the table and took a seat beside me, positioning himself so that Baron would see his back and I could secretly spy on him.

By now, Baron was in the kitchen. He pretended to search for something in the refrigerator, but his gaze constantly wandered over to us. »It’s working,« I whispered, running my fingers through Will’s hair. Ceci would have loved our performance and been highly amused. She spent her days reading cheesy romance novels where the protagonists behaved just like we were. Maybe those books weren’t so far off, and this tactic could actually work.

»Is he still looking?« Will asked, placing his hands on my knees.

»The whole time.«

Will laughed quietly. »This is so ridiculous. Why did he leave if he’s interested?« He asked, pretending to brush a strand of hair from my shoulder.

»No idea,« I whispered, looking deeply into my best friend’s eyes. »Maybe he’s deeply hurt inside and no longer trusts his feelings.«

»Do you think there could be a woman behind it?«

I laughed loudly and exaggeratedly, gently tapping Will’s upper arm. »I don’t think so.« I remembered what Baron had told me. His parents. Of course, I trusted Will, and he knew everything about me, but it felt wrong to blab about what Baron had confided in me.

»But no matter what it is, I have a feeling that things could work out between you two if you’d finally let your guard down.«

»You? You’re saying that someone could be a good match for me?« I asked, dumbfounded. »You’re always the first to talk me out of my acquaintances.«

He shrugged. »Because you have a penchant for egocentric jerks.«

»Which has been confirmed yet again with Baron.«

»No, Grace. I don’t know him, but something tells me he’s just pretending to be that way.«

»Oh, I completely forgot I’m talking to a pro, Mr. Freud.«

»My psychology degree has nothing to do with it.«

»No, of course not.« I gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek and stood up. »Or are you playing the loving couple with me to analyze Baron and learn something for your job?«

I walked over to the kitchen and fetched the bottle of red wine. I definitely needed more fuel.

»Not Baron, but you,« he replied calmly, settling back into his previous chair. I filled our glasses to the brim with the remaining wine and took my seat. I would have loved to jokingly show him my middle finger. Will knew that, because his grin grew larger. »Because I’ve never seen you so flustered over a man. No matter how they treated you, you always didn’t care. But your behavior now borders on heartache.«

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