Mad for the Billionaire by Charlotte DeCorte Read Free Book Online

over to him. “They serve apple.”
    Alexander glanced down. “Sounds good.” He called the waitress over and gave our order. Alexander then resumed his previous position. “Now it’s time we talked.”
    “Sure,” I answered with an easy, friendly, lying smile. “Do you want to talk about MLM?”
    “Not in the least bit.”
    “Oh. Well, what you would like to talk about?”
    “How have you been, Sophia?”
    Miserable, desperate, and lying to the world because I pretended very well that I’m not.
    Could I have said those words to him? Never. It was bad enough that I thought them. I didn’t have to birth them to life.
    I pasted my automatic grin that meant nothing but everything when perpetuation a lie. “Good. I’ve been good. And you?”
    “Adequate.”
    “More than adequate from what I’ve heard.” I neatly mirrored his position by propping my chin on my palm. “Mr. Bazillionaire and World Conqueror.”
    “Mr. Bazillionaire?” Alexander raised his eyebrows comically. “That’s one I haven’t been called yet. Wunderkind, Tech Baron of the Valley, and Pompous Ass—sure. Mr. Bazillionaire—no. I should update my profile and put that one at the top.”
    I laughed. Everything seemed so normal at the moment. It was like how it was the first time around for us. Smiles, teasing, and incredible sweetness.
    He had been my favorite person in the whole world and I loved him so much. I really thought it would be forever. I could’ve no more dreamed of ever hurting or leaving this man than I could’ve stopped breathing.
    Pain slithered about my chest, tenderizing my heart. I tried not to focus on it.
    “Make sure you credit it to me and not to your slick PR machine.”
    “Of course.” Alexander poked my arm. “Tell me more about what’s been going on with you.”
    I shrugged my shoulders. “Just working, building up my career.”
    “That’s all?”
    “That’s all.”
    Alexander leaned closer and whispered, “Your ring finger’s bare. Any chance that’ll change anytime soon?”
    “If that’s your clumsy way of asking me if I’m seeing someone then the answer is ‘No, I’m not.’”
    “Glad to hear it.” Alexander’s gaze didn’t contain a hint of anything other than sincerity.
    “You’re a mean man, Mr. Draven, to be glad over that.”
    “Not mean enough to say I’m ecstatic over the news.”
    I shook my head, heart pain dulled by a warm belly and body tingling from the excitement of hearing him say those words. “And what about you?”
    “What about me?” he asked coyly.
    “You’re going to make me say it?”
    “Absolutely.”
    “Fine. I won’t ask then.” I sat up and looked straight ahead.
    Alexander bumped my shoulder with his. “C’mon…ask me…you know you want to.”
    “Nope. Don’t even care.”
    He placed one finger on my chin and nudged it until I looked back at him. “Your words still know exactly where to cut, little chick.”
    I tumbled off the internal wall I’d erected. Alexander’s face, so familiar and beloved, was only inches away. I could end the distance between us by leaning forward. My body swayed closer. I ached to kiss him, to find out if his lips were just as sweet as I remembered.
    “Here’s your dessert. An apple pie for the gent and chocolate cream pie for the lady. Do you folks need anything else?”
    Alexander’s hand left my face. He looked away from me to smile and warmly thank the waitress. “No, we’re good. Thank you, ma’am.”
    I reached for my spoon, desperately trying to calm my nerves and pretend the last thirty seconds hadn’t happened the way I remembered them. For if they had then it would mean Alexander wanted to be back in my life and maybe, just maybe, we could pick up where we left off.
    No, that’s just wishful thinking on my part. We’ve been apart for almost a decade. If Alexander had been pining over me he wouldn’t have just waited until today to talk to me. He’s just being polite…nostalgic…who