Page 29 of The Billionaire and the Maid

Chase nods.

“I own Tenning’s Sporting Goods,” David says.

“Oh yes, we were at the conference a few months ago,” Chase says warmly. “I’ve been meaning to reach out. I’m working on some prototypes, and you were one of the people I was thinking about contacting to get some feedback.”

“Of course, I’d love to. You still have my contact info?” David asks.

“Yes. My assistant will be in touch soon,” Chase offers.

“Great,” David replies.

“I hate to be rude, but we were just getting ready to leave,” Chase says.

“Oh? You should stick around for a few more minutes. My company is auctioning off some great things tonight,” David urges.

“We’ll be here for a few more minutes,” I promise with a smile.

“Well, great meeting you, Chase,” Gus says as he gives me another look that says,Girl, call me.

I press my lips together to keep from laughing. “Yep, see you guys,” I say as I take Chase by the hand and lead him inside. I’m so focused on escaping Gus and what was surely going to be a game of twenty questions with my fake boyfriend, that I don’t realize we’ve just stepped in front of my stepmom and stepsisters.

“Oh, Ella, I didn’t even see you there,” Nancy says as I almost run into her. Great. Just great. The awkwardness of having my bestie walk in on me kissing my fake boyfriend pales in comparison to having to introduce him to my stepfamily, especially since I now know Nancy is well aware of who he is.

CHAPTERTWELVE

Chase

Nancy Foster has always rubbed me the wrong way. And that’s saying something considering that I’ve barely had any interactions with her ever. I swear she’s undressing me with her eyes and the look of shock on her face as I wrap my arm around Ella has me fighting a smirk.

“Nancy,” I say with a nod.

“Who’s your date, Ellie-belly?” the woman next to her asks.

“Myra, Mila, this is Chase…my boyfriend,” Ella states. She steps in closer to me and some weird protective vibe comes over me. I kiss the side of her head and smile my best fake smile at all three women.

Myra nearly spits out her champagne. “Y-your boyfriend?” she stammers, her voice rising an octave with each syllable.

“Yes,” Ella replies as she plasters on a smile that I can tell is forced even though she has the upper hand.

“Oh, I didn’t know you were dating anyone?” Mila says. Mila’s looking at me quizzically as if she’s not really sure who I am, but feels like she should know who I am. Myra glances at her sister and rolls her eyes. “Nice to meet you, Chase.” Mila doesn’t seem as cunning as her sister and mother. Her responses seem genuine, but I could be misreading her.

"Oh, well, yes. We haven’t been dating for long,” Ella replies.

“Do your parents know what Ella does?” Nancy says with a laugh as if this is some sort of game. I decide to mess with her.

“Yes. They like people with strong work ethics,” I state as I look between her and her daughters.

Nancy’s face turns a shade of red which I have to say I find very amusing. “How are your college experiences going?” I ask Ella’s stepsisters.

They both shrug and stare at me as if I just asked if they dated aliens.

“It was very nice meeting you all, but I must get back over to my parents. They wanted me to check out the silent auction items for them. Have you bid on anything yet?” I inquire.

“Uh, no. Not yet,” Nancy says quickly, and I can tell by the look she’s giving me that she has no intention of actually spending money tonight. I wonder if she’s squandered all her wealth…all of Ella’s wealth. The thought has me seeing red, but now is not the time to make a fool of Nancy. Right now, I just want to get Ella out of here.

“You should go take a look. Enjoy your evening,” I say as I place a hand on the small of Ella’s back and direct her away from her stepfamily.

“Sorry about them. They weren’t actually too bad. Thanks for making that quick and painless,” Ella whispers as we walk across the room.

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