Page 138 of Our Scorching Summer

“Oh.”

If this is how Klaus lives, then it could only mean…

“When you sold Flight Falcon, did you split the profits evenly?” I whisper to Nico.

“Yeah.” He shrugs.

“And you have a six-figure tech job back in California?”

“Seven-figure, but yes. What are you getting at?”

The entire Navarro family is well-off, but I don’t think I ever wrapped my mind around Nico’s wealth until now. My brain pieces together the spontaneous splurges, first class seats, and thousands of dollars spent on clothes and drinks over the past couple of weeks.

“You’rerichrich.” I turn to him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Most people don’t go around sharing their bank account balances.”

“When I left New York, I had $2,023 to my name.” As of our first step on London soil, the amount has multiplied tenfold because of Coastal Fling’s success. It still feels entirely unreal.

“That’s almost how much I have, except you add on about five more zeros.”

“Five?”

“Look, I don’t flaunt it like Keith—sorry,Klaus.” Nico tips his head toward his friend. “He’s found things to spend on that bring him joy. And it’s a damn cliche, but I’ve had dates treat me differently when they found out I have this much money.”

It’s impossible to ignore my writer’s brain screaming about how billionaire romances always sell. Who doesn’t love a rich man? But…

Does Nico think I’m taking advantage of him?

“You spoilmeall the time…”

“Because I like to and because you’ve never made me feel like a blank checkbook waiting to be signed.”

My nose scrunches with a cringe. “I would like you without all the things you buy me,” I confess.

“And I would go broke trying to make you smile.” He brushes my hair out of my face, and if we weren’t inside his friend’s home, it would be impossible to resist climbing on him right here.

“Sure.” I try to focus the conversation on something other than the need building in my body. My eyes knock down to the growing erection in his pants.All hopes are lost. “What do you spend your money on, then? Besidesme.”

“You’re living it. Usually trips, things for my parents, but I mostly invest, help fund new companies.” He leans over to me. “Lately, spoiling you has made me exceedingly happy.”

I gulp before snuggling closer into him.

“But, if you have this much money, why keep your job at Viggle?” I’m not sure I’d work a day in my life if I saw so many zeros in my bank balance.

He strokes his thumb along my tattered friendship bracelet, the lavender string almost falling apart. “I love my job, and doing something you love doesn’t feel like work. I can travel whenever I want, and it brings me joy to create new useful things. I can’t imagine not having something to tether me.”

“For someone as nomadic as you, it’s a surprise you’ve stayed at your job for so long.”

“It’s the one constant in my life, plus the headquarters are close to my parents’ house, and I like to check in on them whenever I want.”

His words are also a reminder that Nico lives three thousand miles away from New York, probably in a beautiful home that’s close to his family and the job he loves.

My mood sours slightly.

Why does it matter anyway?I know this is going to end.

“You two done having a snog on my brand-new sofas to join us for some drinks?” Klaus’s voice echoes across the room.

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