Page 17 of Playboy Billionaire's Secret Baby

“We can work around your busy schedule,” I offer, but with much less confidence than before. “If you want us to carry on seeing one another…”

She shrugs, giving me an answer without actually saying anything. She hasn’t missed me like I have her. She hasn’t been thinking about me, and this date hasn’t really meant anything to her. I’m simply Frederico D’Amici, the playboy with no heart. I guess Allegra has made sure that’s what she thinks about me.

I can’t fight my reputation, not when it precedes me, and no one wants to discuss it. I can’t defend myself if Lexi has already made up her mind about me. All I can do is let her go.

“Or we can just see one another at Allegra and Adam’s next big life event,” I say, doing my best to laugh it off. “I’m sure there will be a baby or something soon.”

Lexi nods, but she isn’t meeting my eyes anymore. Oh God, I didn’t mean to make it so awkward that she doesn’t even want to look at me! It might be better for me to say nothing further. She’s about to leave, so the awkwardness won’t last forever.

“Okay, I suppose I’d better get dressed,” she finally says as she slides out of the bed with a sheet wrapped around her. “I have a plane to catch soon, and Allegra wants to take me to the airline terminal. I’m supposed to be meeting her at the hotel.”

It sucked, waking up without her; we didn’t get to say goodbye and get any closure from the night, but this is worse. Having to say farewell to Lexi, knowing we’ve stoked the flames again hurts more. I don’t know how we’re going to do it, especially now that I’ve managed to make this uncomfortable.

I don’t want things to end like this but don’t know how to make it better, either. What the hell am I going to do?

Chapter 11

Lexi

IblinkatEvana couple of times, not quite sure what I’m hearing. Just because this is what I’ve been working toward and hoping for doesn’t make it any less shocking to be here in his office, with him telling me I’m headed off to Italy for a job.

I’ve done it! Somehow, I’ve done it. That feels really exciting.

“Do you mean it?” I blink at him a couple of times, trying to process this as best as I can. “This is happening? I’m really going to work on the Italian project?”

“You’ve started a brand new phase for the company,” Evan laughs. “I’m just as shocked as you are. This is something that will be positive for all of us.”

The tight knot in my chest loosens. I have been so nervous ever since I had that meeting in Italy. I thought it went well, and now it seems like my suspicions were correct. Everything is coming together in the best way possible. My career is definitely going in a new direction, which is something that didn’t seem possible at one point. When I first found out that I was pregnant, I didn’t know if I could do any of this.

“Wow, well I suppose I should get packed up and ready!”

“Yes, I think you should.” Evan smiles, finally understanding my point of view. It feels great to be heard. I really love knowing that I’ve made things so much better for myself. “And good luck with it. You better do your best work because you are representing all of us.”

I nod, taking that responsibility very seriously. “I know and I will. You don’t need to worry, I won’t let you down, Evan. I appreciate the chance you’ve given me.”

“Right. Well, I will leave you to it. Good luck with everything, Lexi.”

As I exit his office, I lean against the door and gasp buckets of air. Everything is about to change, and I am almost overwhelmed by the prospect. I could laugh, I could cry, I don’t knowwhatto feel most of all. And I also don’t know who I should tell first.

Allegra, since she is the one who got me the interview with the company? I know she’s on tenterhooks, waiting to know if and when I’ll be coming. And there’s my mother. Of course, this is going to affect her as well because this time I will be bringing James with me. I can’t be away from my son for that long, no way. Me and Mom have kind of talked about it, in a hypothetical sort of way, but I don’t know what the reality will look like…it’s a bit scary.

First, I head over to my desk so I can process it myself. One step at a time; that’s the only way I’m going to be able to handle this. I can’t overload myself…

I don’t last long though. It’s damn near impossible to remain seated when I’m freaking out so much. I make an excuse, not that anyone is really worried about what I’m doing, and I head outside to contact Allegra. I need some happiness. I need to feel her joy.

“Hello?” She already sounds excited. Thank God, I have only good news to give her.

“Allegra, I’m coming,” I squeal. “I’m coming to Italy for a while. I got the project.”

“I knew you would!” she says, matching my energy. “Oh, my God, that’s so exciting. We’re going to have such a good time when you’re here. James too.”

I sidestep the remark about my son because I haven’t dealt with Mom as yet. But I will. It’ll be fine, I’m sure. “I can’t wait. It’s going to be amazing.”

“You know, I actually have something to tell you,” Allegra declares, a little mysteriously. “I think that this might be the perfect time…especially since you’re coming to Italy.”

I feel a little nervous and don’t know why. Something about her sing song voice puts me on edge. “What is it? What’s going on?”

“Frederico has been pestering Adam, asking for your phone number. It seems like you might have an admirer over here, ready to take you out on a date.”

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