Fake Dating My Ex's Hockey Star Brother (Maya Scott) novel Chapter 68

KATY’S POV

“I have to try harder, huh?” Braydon quips beside me.

He’s following me through the conference lobby like a golden retriever who just realized his owner has snacks, and he seriously cannot compute the fact that I’m not about to throw myself at him just because I found out he is or could be a billionaire soon.

News flash, buddy: that’s not how I operate. I know that’s probably what he’s used to, and it’s probably what he thinks he wants, but spoiler alert, it’s not happening.

Sure, he might have a great… dick… that I can still feel in my stomach but I’m never chasing after a guy.

“I really want to network with people,” I say, trying to shift my focus from the topic to my actual objective. We’re on the one-hour break before the final conference session, and the whole place is buzzing with serious movers and shakers exchanging cards.

“Do you think it would be totally weird to just walk up and strike a conversation with them?” I subtly nod my head towards a corner where Marcus Bellweather, the guy who basically runs a popular business magazine I devour is chatting up Leo Vance and Elena Cruz, who, if the rumors are true, own half the cool tech startups in the city. They are the ultimate power clique right now.

“You want to speak with them?” Braydon asks, his brow slightly furrowed.

I nod, taking a deep breath and trying to channel my inner boss lady. “Do you think it’s impossible?” Like, am I crazy for thinking I can just interrupt that level of power discussion?

“Impossible?” Braydon lifts his perfect, mocking eyebrow. He gives me this look-a blend of confidence and playful challenge that usually precedes him doing something ridiculous and usually hot. “Don’t say such things next to me, baby.”

And just like that, he’s striding away.

“Braydon!” I try to call him back, my voice pitched in the gentlest, most non-confrontational tone I can manage. He doesn’t even look back, his frame ramrod straight. Is he actually crazy? He doesn’t know these guys!

What is he going to do? Walk up to Marcus Bellweather and announce, ‘Hey, that girl wants to speak to you! Get in line!’ Oh gosh, he is absolutely going to be the death of me.

I press myself against a pillar near the refreshments, effectively hiding myself in a corner of shame and fear as he reaches them.

My heart is literally pounding as he starts speaking to them. I can’t hear the words, but I can already feel the second-hand embarrassment radiating off me. I’m sure whatever he’s saying is a total disas…

Oh. Wait.

Marcus Bellweather is… shaking his hand? They actually shook hands? With enthusiasm? Am I seeing this right?

My lips part completely. I watch, stunned, as Leo Vance and Elena Cruz, follow suit, shaking Braydon’s hand one by one.

It takes me a full five seconds to process this.

Is it that easy?

You mean to tell me that if I had walked up to them, they would speak to me? Or what exactly did he say to them?

Just then, Braydon turns and points directly at me. I freeze, my face instantly heating up. Why is he pointing? I quickly smooth down my blouse, and run a hand through my hair, doing everything except adopting the rigid stance of a soldier caught in a crossfire.

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