FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS (Ophelia Corrigan) novel Chapter 165

09:52 Tue, Oct 6 FD

FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS: MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS

CHAPTER 165

AMIE

Kelly slipped a sash over me before I could even set down my purse.

“If there’s anything obscene on this, I’m wearing it inside out.”

“Future Mrs. Hart. We’re classy women.”

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The private room was upstairs in the club, separated from the dance floor by a hallway and a padded door. There were U-shaped couches, a low table, a TV set up for karaoke, and two microphones charging beside the remote. Claire had scattered game cards among gold napkins, and a bucket of champagne sat chilling in the corner.

It was small, a little over-the-top, and so thoughtfully put together that I wanted to hug every one of them.

“You guys did all this?”

“I even fought with the printer,” Claire said. “So nobody is spilling drinks on those cards.”

Elizabeth popped a balloon.

We all stared at her.

“It was in the way.”

I burst out laughing, and for the first time all week, I wasn’t thinking about the guest list or the last-minute alterations to my dress. I just let myself have fun for the night.

A staff member brought in the appetizers, explained how to call for service, and confirmed the end time for our reservation. Kelly waited until he left before passing out the glasses.

“Before anyone gets too drunk to appreciate my eloquence…”

“That’s already hard enough sober,” Elizabeth said.

Kelly raised her champagne.

“To our coworker, who got out of a relationship that was going nowhere and, in less than a year, somehow convinced our billionaire boss to give up bachelorhood and become completely wrapped around her finger.”

“It’s not that dramatic.”

My face was already heating before I finished the sentence.

“I knew he was crazy about you,” Claire said. “There was this meeting where you rubbed your arms once, and he stopped mid-sentence to ask if the AC was too cold.”

“It was cold,” I said, as if that explained everything.

“I’d been wearing my jacket since nine. He never asked me.”

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FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS: MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS

Their laughter blended with the clink of glasses.

Jarnie,” Kelly continued, lifting hers higher. “We’re so happy for you, babe.”

I smiled, warmth tightening pleasantly in my chest, and raised my glass too.

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“Thank you, guys. Seriously.” I looked around the room, trying not to get emotional. “Now drink before I start crying and ruin my makeup.”

I took a sip before my voice could give me away.

Then Claire passed out the first set of cards.

The game was to guess who had written each memory about me. I recognized Kelly’s handwriting before I even finished reading the story about the day I spilled coffee down my blouse and spent an entire meeting holding a folder against my chest.

“Kelly, I asked you to forget that day.”

“But

you looked so serious nobody had the nerve to ask what was wrong.”

“I was mortified.”

“You didn’t look mortified,” Claire said. “I thought you were pissed at all of us.”

I laughed.

“I just wanted to get out of that room and change my shirt.”

Next came wedding bingo.

When we got to the advice-for-the-newlyweds round, I pulled a folded slip of paper from the empty bucket Kelly had brought.

“Never argue when you’re hungry.”

“Mine,” Claire admitted. “Prevents fights and divorces. Trust me.”

I smiled and opened another one.

“Don’t bring work into bed.””

Everyone looked at me.

“Why are you all looking at me?”

“Because he’s your boss,” Elizabeth said.

“And because you’re blushing,” Kelly added.

I thought of Simon sweeping my hair aside to zip up my dress, impossibly calm for a man who had just ripped my panties in his office. I’d spent the rest of the afternoon without them, trying to focus on work and ignore the smug looks he kept sending my way.

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“Wait.” Elizabeth leaned toward me. “Have you two ever hooked up in the office?”

eat rushed into my face.

“O-of course not.”

Kelly narrowed her eyes, smiling.

“You stuttered.”

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“Because you ask insane questions.” I took a sip of champagne. “And even if we had, I wouldn’t tell you

All three of them let out a disappointed “Aww” in near-perfect unison.

“Not even one tiny detail?” Elizabeth pressed.

I reached for the bucket, unable to hide my smile.

“Next card.”

They didn’t even bother hiding their disappointment.

Karaoke started with Claire announcing that she did not sing. Ten minutes later, she was on her feet demanding that nobody ruin her chorus. I shared a microphone with Kelly and butchered half the lyrics, laughing so hard I had to brace a hand on the couch.

My phone buzzed close to midnight.

Simon: How’s it going over there?

I smiled before I even realized I was doing it.

“Is that him?” Kelly asked.

“Yes, it’s him.”

I stuck my tongue out at her and grabbed my purse.

“I’m going to call him. Be right back.”

Out in the hallway, I closed the door behind me, muffling Elizabeth’s attempt to hit an impossible note. Simon answered on the second ring.

“Hey, beautiful.”

I leaned my shoulder against the wall.

“Hi.”

“So? Have the strippers shown up yet?”

“You waited all night to ask me that?”

“I was polite. I asked how you were doing first.”

FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS: MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS

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“I told you, there are no strippers. Just champagne and a bunch of women murdering songs you probably hate.”

“Did you sing?”

“Yes. But I should warn you, I left no evidence.”

“Shame. I’d pay good money to hear you sing.”

I laughed, winding the end of the sash around my finger.

“What about you? Where did you guys go?”

He cleared his throat.

“I’m at a club with Stephen.”

My hand stilled.

“A club?”

“That’s what I said.”

I glanced at the closed door, listening to the laughter on the other side.

“It’s awfully quiet,” I murmured.

“We’re in a more private area.”

“I see.”

His silence sounded far too interested.

“That’s it?”

“What did you want me to do? Demand photographic proof of the premises?”

“You can ask for a picture of me. I’ll allow it.”

“Can you be shirtless?”

His laugh came low through the phone, right against my ear.

“Careful what you ask for when I’ve been drinking, Jamie.”

I bit the inside of my cheek.

“Stay out of trouble. I already had the final alterations done on my dress.”

“So I’m not allowed to die?”

“Not until the wedding. After that, we can renegotiate.”

“Practical woman. That’s why I fell in love with you.”

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I looked down at my ring.

smile got embarrassingly wide.

On the other end, I heard a glass being set down.

“Have fun, love.”