Page 22 of Playing Pretend with Love and Billions

“I’m not just moving in with you!” I seethe.

He nods his head. “I figured as much, but it’s for your own safety. I think it’s the best thing for you.”

My eyes widen, not understanding what he’s getting at. I’m not in any real danger… am I?

I shake my head.No. I will not let him dictate how I live my life, which means I’ll stay where I am at Millie’s apartment.

“I’m good where I’m at. Thank you for your concern though. I think the fake relationship is enough.”

He runs a hand through his hair, one of his nervous ticks that I’ve recognized in recent days, and lets out a heavy sigh. He’s acting as if there’s a weight on his shoulders. His gaze softens as he looks at me, a hint of worry lining his brows when he says, “Listen, Alex stopped by my apartment this morning.”

Now,thishas my attention. I lean forward in my seat, ready to listen to him tell me what went down with the two of them, but my alarm starts blaring on my phone. I huff in annoyance, knowing that my lunch ended and hating that I’m going to be left wondering for the day.

“I gotta get back to work. Can this wait until later, or tomorrow?”

He seems hesitant when he nods his head, but I take it as my cue to grab Millie’s food then head to the elevators. It doesn’t take too long until I’m strutting through the customer service floor and dropping Millie’s food onto her desk while she’s in the middle of a call.

She mouths “Thank you”before turning away from me and continuing her conversation.

Meanwhile, the only thing I can seem to think about is the concern etched on Ryan’s face, as if he’s actually worried about me. Why would he be concerned? Even if Alex is becoming an issue, isn’t that my problem?

I can’t let thoughts of Alex and this fake relationship consume me. It will only delay the inevitable of our fake relationship coming to an end.

And it will come to an end, especially if I decide to go back home. I was able to talk to my mom before Ryan showed up and told her about my new relationship. She was worried about me more than my father was, and that’s saying something.

My mom and I have always been close, so she knows a lot more than my dad does and I understand her concern about me getting involved with someone else already. I couldn’t bring myself to tell her that it’s a ruse, that I’m not actually dating the guy even if it may look and feel that way.

That might be the scariest part of this whole thing. We aren’t actually together, but I can’t help but get butterflies when he’s around. My stomach rolls with pleasure as soon as I see him in one of his suits, and I don’t even want to imagine what he looks like in casual clothes. Nope, not going there.

The elevator dings and the same delivery guy from yesterday walks through the office until he reaches my desk, this time with two roses. I cock my head to the side, confused about the sudden arrival of flowers, but hold out a hand to take the roses from him. He grunts, then nods, before turning away and heading back into the elevators.

Two roses?

I want to ask Ryan why he insists on getting me these flowers, but what if he stops them from being delivered? If I’m being honest, I love that he sends them to me. It lets me know he’s thinking about me and part of me hates how thrilled I am that I’m on his mind as much as he’s on mine.

A piece of paper falls from between the flowers and lands on the floor. When I pick the paper up and flip it over, there’s a fancy font on the card and the words make my heart start beating rapidly.

Thinking of you.

“Damn, I need a man,” Millie says, then lets out a jealous sigh.

Instead of answering her, I place the two new flowers with the first one and get back to my work. Ryan emailed me to let me know that the customer from yesterday was taken care of, which makes me happy. She may have been a pain in the ass, but I’m glad that someone was able to help her. Customers like her don’t happen often, not since I started at least, so it’s hard to know how to handle them when they do come along.

* * *

Ryan called down to my office an hour ago to let me know that he’d be staying in the office late and we would continue our conversation tomorrow. Of course, being that my ex-boyfriend said the same thing, I try not to let my mind wander into dangerous territory. I mean, it’s not like Ryan is getting anything from me and I’d be stupid to think that he’d sit around waiting for me to be ready.

Millie went to a bar and grill around the corner from our apartment to catch up with some friends. She invited me, but my bathtub is calling my name and I couldn’t deny it. A good soak is what I need right now, to wash away all the anxiety rolling through me at Ryan still being in the office.

I can’t compare him to Alex, that would be unfair. I’ll trust him until he gives me a reason not to. It should be easy. Except all I can seem to picture right now is Alex banging his assistant after telling mehewas working late, and it only causes me to shake with anger.

I’ve barely gotten the key into the apartment door when Alex rushes up to me, lifting me into a hug, then cupping my cheeks.

I flinch away from him, causing his brows to furrow together, and drop my hand from the door. He glares at me before turning his attention to the door I haven’t opened. “You gonna invite me inside, baby?”

“Not your baby.” I try to sound cool and collected, but my anxiety is through the roof right now. I can hear my heart pounding through my ears, hoping to God that Alex can’t hear it too.

He chuckles as if I made a joke. “You can stop messing with me, it worked.”

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