Page 84 of Enticing My Off Limits Billionaire

He raises his eyebrows. "Go on."

"Gavin," I say. "I was going to say Gavin, but I've really screwed things up with him, too."

"You should call him," Adam says. "He's your best friend, right?"

"I fucked his daughter."

"And he fucked his daughter's best friend, so I think you're even," Adam chuckles but sobers quickly. "Quinn, be honest with yourself, though. You fell in love with her way before you fucked her, right? When you talk to him again, you should tell him that."

"I might mention less stuff about fucking her," I laugh.

"Good call," Adam laughs. "Look, Quinn...I wanted to tell you I'm grateful for everything you've done for me."

"…And why do I feel there's a 'but' coming?"

"There's none," he shrugs. "I just wanted to say it before we go back. Sometimes, I get all...weird in my head. When I disappear on you or go off the rails, I don't do it on purpose. I need to spend more time telling you I care and that I appreciate you helping me out all the time. I know I'm expensive."

"You're worth it," I say. "And I'm not going to let you disappear again. When we get back...you're getting introduced to everyone. We'll spend more time with Madison; you'll meet Gavin, Kylie, Delia, and other folks from the White Oak. Maybe not at the White Oak, but you're one of us, got it?"

"Got it," he says. "Now, I think you have a call to make, huh?"

I nod. "Sure do."

I leave Adam at the table, walking a short distance away so he's still close enough that I can see him. I sit on a bench and watch Adam pull out his phone and start scrolling before I dial Gavin's number.

It's high time we talked.

The phone only rings a few times before he answers, a prompt, businesslike "Gavin Sterling speaking" that feels more stilted than we've been since we met at the White Oak close to a decade ago. I let out a heavy breath and swallow hard before I speak.

"Hey, Gavin," I say. "You lose my number or something?"

A woman's voice sounds sleepy and muffled in the background—it must be Kylie.

"It's Quinn," Gavin says, his voice muffled as well. "Quinn, give me a second..."

I look at my watch and wince. With all the connections, I didn't even realize how early it was—but a five-hour time difference means I just woke Gavin up at three in the morning.

"I didn't lose your number; you're just on my emergency contact list and got through Do Not Disturb..." he chuckles, his voice rough with sleep. "You okay?"

"Shit," I mutter. "I'll let you get back to bed—"

"Fuck off," Gavin interrupts. "Talk to me. It's been...shit, has it been months? Where the hell are you?"

I let out a relieved laugh and shake my head. "I'm in London."

"What are you doing in London?"

"Following a foolish dream that my family might actually give a damn," I sigh. "But I'm coming back with Adam in tow. We thought he would get treated at this fancy place in the Alps, but it didn't work out."

"What happened?"

"He needs a support system that isn't there in Europe, and I wasn't going to stay," I say. "As far as I'm concerned, we're done with my family."

"Finally," Gavin breathes. "Man—it's been a long time coming. Good for you, setting boundaries."

It makes me think about Madison, and I realize we haven't even addressed the elephant in the room—or, on the call. "Speaking of which...have you talked to Madison recently?"

The line goes quiet for longer than I'm comfortable with, and I clear my throat.

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