Page 88 of The Sexy Billionaire

“Anyway,” Lilly says, playfully hitting my brother in the chest, “I got to hang out with Paige and her friend Savannah yesterday with Nat,” she says.

I should be surprised but I’m not, because I’ve been obsessively watching her socials. I nod but decide to remain close-lipped.

“They were so much fun. I love them. She’s really nice and speaks highly of you,” she adds.

She does?

“She told us what you did for her regarding her ex. What a horrible guy. I can’t believe someone as nice as her is dealing with a monster like him. I’m glad you whisked her away from all that,” Lilly explains.

“I happened to have a space on the jet.” I shrug.

“Still, it was nice. And she’s a countess, like how cool is that? I mean, you guys don’t know what it’s like to be normal, but to one day inherit like she did a life she knew nothing about is mind-blowing,” Lilly continues, singing Paige’s praises.

“Lilly, you made it. How is my grandbaby growing? Come, let me see, you must be hungry,” my mother calls out across the room. Lilly gives me a smile, walks over to my mother, and disappears into the kitchen with her.

“She’s always hungry.” Luca chuckles. “Anyway, Lilly can’t stop talking about how much she likes Paige. They had a great day out together, I mean, even Nat loves her. I’m curious as to how you feel seeing her after all these years,” Luca asks.

“It’s been nice catching up.”

He frowns. “That’s it. It’s been nice catching up,” he says, mocking me. “That’s the kind of line you tell our parents. What the fuck is really going on?”

I scrub my face and sigh. “I like her. Is that what you want to hear?”

“Yeah, pretty much.” He grins.

I shake my head, annoyed.

“What are you going to do about it?” he asks.

“Nothing. Technically, the world still thinks Giada and I are together. She has an asshole ex and is dealing with that. I’m not adding to her full plate because I can’t control the way I feel,” I explain to him.

“But you would if you could?” he presses.

“What do you want me to say, Luca?” I ask angrily.

“I don’t know, Gio,” he argues back.

My brother is only trying to help me, but I don’t need him butting in; I have everything under control.

“What do you want to happen?” he questions me.

“Nothing, okay, can we leave it and enjoy today’s lunch?”

Luca glares at me, but I try to ignore him. Thankfully, my parents come back out of the kitchen.

“Where’s your sister?” Mamma asks.

“Which one?” Luca asks.

“I know where Allegra is,” Mamma answers, her eyes drifting over to me. “I’m talking about Natalia.”

“She’s always running late.” My brother chuckles as the staff starts to bring things to the table.

“I’m here,” Natalia declares, walking through the door.

“Oh shit,” is all I hear from my brother.

“Paige, Savannah,” Lilly exclaims as she rushes to greet the two women.

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