The Billionaire's Embrace (The Silver Cross Club) by Bec Linder Read Free Book Online

more paintings, and then I would tell him I needed a drink, and we could go somewhere else—Renaissance tapestries, Greek sculpture, something safe. Although he probably knew all about those things, too.
    I just needed to get over myself. I told myself sternly that Carter didn’t expect me to know anything about art, and he wasn’t judging me for it. It was something he enjoyed, and he only wanted to share that enjoyment with me.
    It didn’t really make me feel any better.

Chapter 4
    S aturday was a slow night at work—slower than usual, anyway—and around 10, I found myself in a sudden lull, with nothing to do. My customers were all happy with their drinks, and nobody was looking around for me. I used my reprieve to step behind the bar, chug a glass of water, and check my phone.
    No text messages from Carter, which didn’t surprise me—he was at a charity gala that evening—but still made my heart sink a little. But Sadie had texted me: girl bring that man 2 dinner 2morrow
    I felt my eyebrows crawling up my forehead. I texted back: not sure that’s a good idea
    My phone buzzed. I want 2 meet this hottie. Ben says he’ll cook. please!!!! it will b awesome
    I sighed. One of my customers had finished his drink, and so I slid my phone back into my purse and went back out onto the floor. And then I had three tables seated in a row, and by the time I had a chance to look at my phone again, it was 3am and I was on the subway home.
    Sadie had left me a series of text messages, each using more exclamation points than the last, trying to convince me to bring Carter to her place for dinner. She had been bugging me about him since the first time I mentioned him, and I knew she just wanted a chance to be able to interrogate him about his intentions, like we were living in a Jane Austen novel. I didn’t think Carter would appreciate being subjected to that.
    does he like Indian food? u know Ben makes good curry
    we can play scattergories
    I promise I’ll b nice 2 him
    I rolled my eyes. Once Sadie got an idea into her head, it was basically impossible to talk her out of it. I wouldn’t try; I would let Carter do it for me. If I told her that he didn’t want to, or that he was too busy, she wouldn’t be able to argue with me about it.
    I knew he was probably asleep by then, but I texted him anyway. He would see it in the morning. My friend Sadie wants to have us over for dinner tomorrow night. I know you’re probably too busy so I’ll tell her no.
    To my surprise, my phone buzzed with a reply a few seconds later. I would love to. What time?
    My plan had backfired. She’s really nosy so maybe it’s not a good idea .
    Carter replied, I would love to meet any and all of your friends. Please tell her yes and thank you. ;)
    His little winking emoticon made me smile despite myself. He didn’t seem like the sort of man who used emoticons, and yet there it was.
    Maybe dinner wouldn’t be that bad. I would get Ben on my side, and he would help me keep Sadie under control. Ben, Sadie’s boyfriend, was a white guy she’d met at her spinning class. They’d been together for a couple of years, and every time I saw them, they seemed even happier than the time before. I liked him. He was good for Sadie. He was steady and unassuming, and he balanced out Sadie’s wilder tendencies.
    Before I met Carter, Sadie and Ben gave me hope that true love still existed in this world. And now—well. I wasn’t going to use the word “love” in conjunction with “Carter” anytime soon. But now Carter gave me hope.
    The train slowed as it pulled into a station, and I glanced up to check where I was. Still a few more stops. I typed, I hope you don’t regret this! I’ll text you details tomorrow.
    Great. Sleep well.
    I tucked my phone back in my purse, smiling. Carter wasn’t a secret, but he felt like one—a good secret, the kind that you wanted to carry close to your heart, like it wouldn’t be as special if other people knew about