FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS (Ophelia Corrigan) novel Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20

67

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– SIMON

The elevator doors slid open onto the rooftop terrace, and for half a second, I forgot everything except the woman on my arm.

Two guys near the bar actually stopped mid-sentence to watch her walk by. A woman at a nearby table leaned over and whispered something to her date, her eyes tracking Jamie’s silhouette.

Jamie, of course, didn’t notice any of it.

Her focus was locked on the crowd ahead, jaw set in that determined line I’d learned to recognize as her “I’m about to walk into something unpleasant” face. She was nervous-I could feel it in the way her fingers barely tightened against my sleeve.

I spotted the table in the back corner, a long stretch of mismatched chairs shoved together to accommodate what looked like the entire graduating class of 2007. I leaned in, my lips brushing her ear. “You look like you’re about to cross-examine a hostile witness.”

“That’s because I’m about to cross-examine a hostile witness,” she murmured back, not turning her head. “There are at least thirty people at that table, Simon. Thirty. You said it would be ten, tops.”

“Relax, Counselor. They’re just people who peaked in high school.” I covered her hand with mine, squeezing once. “Half of them will be drunk within an hour. The other half will be too busy pretending they’re happy to notice any inconsistencies in our story.”

She shot me a look that was half gratitude, half exasperation. “That’s supposed to make me feel better?”

“Have I ever made you feel better?”

Her mouth twitched. “Never.”

“Then we’re consistent. Let’s go.”

“Simon!” Stephen’s voice cut through the noise like a knife, and suddenly he was on his feet, closing the distance in three long strides. “I can’t believe you actually came. I almost had a stroke when your assistant confirmed the reservation.” He pulled me into a back-slapping hug that nearly knocked me off balance. “And who is this gorgeous woman?” He pulled back, his gaze sliding to Jamie.

“Stephen, this is Jamie.” I settled my hand on her lower back, feeling the heat of her skin through the silk of her dress. “My girlfriend.”

Stephen’s eyebrows shot toward his hairline. “Girlfriend? You? Since when?”

“Three months ago,” Jamie said smoothly, extending her hand. “I’m the one who made an honest man out of him.”

Stephen stared at her hand like it might bite him. Then he let out a bark of laughter. “I like her already. She’s got a better sense of humor than you, and she’s been here thirty seconds.”

1/4

11:41 Fri, Sep 25

FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS: MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS

67

55 vouchers

“Stephen’s been my best friend since I was twelve,” I explained, guiding Jamie toward the table. “He’s also the reason I have three separate scars on my left knee. You don’t have to be nice to him.”

“He’s lying, I’m a delight.” Stephen pulled out a chair for her. “It’s Simon you need to watch out for. He’s a walking disaster in a suit and tie.”

Jamie sat down, her hand brushing my arm as I took the seat beside her. The table stretched out around us- old faces, familiar faces, faces I hadn’t seen in fifteen years but still recognized like yesterday.

And then I looked up.

Abby.

She was sitting three chairs down, talking to someone I didn’t recognize, her dark hair falling in soft waves past her shoulders, her green eyes crinkling at something the woman next to her had said. She was wearing a simple black dress, nothing flashy, nothing that screamed for attention, and she was still absolutely fucking beautiful.

She turned, feeling my gaze, and our eyes met.

“Simon.” Her voice hit me like a wave, warm and familiar, a ghost of every conversation we’d ever had. “Oh my God. You actually came.”

She stood, pushing her chair back, and before I could brace myself, she was crossing the distance and pulling me into a hug.

“Abby.” My voice came out rougher than I intended. “It’s good to see you.”

She pulled back, her hands still on my shoulders, her eyes scanning my face. “You look good. Really good.” She looked past me, her smile widening. “And I see you brought someone special.” She stepped back, shifting her attention to Jamie. “Hi! I’m Abby. I’ve known this one since we were sixteen.”

Jamie rose gracefully, extending her hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Jamie.”

Abby laughed, genuine and warm, and I felt something ease in my chest.

When Abby sat back down, Jamie leaned in, her lips brushing my ear. “I already figured it out. So this was the woman you wanted to impress?”

I felt my jaw tighten, but I kept the smile in place. “We’ll talk later.”

She pulled back, her grin widening. “Relax, Simon. I’m just giving you a hard time.”

“I’m going to grab drinks for you two,” Abby said, already getting up. “Simon, you still drink beer?”

“Of course.”

The answer came out automatic.

The problem was, I hadn’t drunk beer in at least ten years.

2/4

11:41 Fri, Sep 25

FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS: MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS

367

55 vouchers

I turned my head slowly and found Jamie staring at me, one eyebrow raised and her lips dangerously close to forming a smile.

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