FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS (Ophelia Corrigan) novel Chapter 35

CHAPTER 35

AMIE

I slammed the passenger door of his Bugatti and immediately regretted every life choice that had led me to this moment. My hair was a disaster and I was wearing a Disney t-shirt I’d grabbed from my laundry

basket.

“I look like I survived a hurricane,” I announced, flipping down the visor mirror. “Actually, no. A hurricane would have been more merciful. At least a hurricane would have taken my dignity with it instead of leaving it here for you to witness.”

Simon pulled out of the parking lot, one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the back of my seat like he owned the world. “You don’t look that bad, Jamie.”

“Don’t lie to me, Hart. I have mascara running down to my chin.”

“Okay, maybe a little mascara.” He shot me a look, that infamous smirk playing on his lips. “But you’re still sexy as hell in that Mickey shirt. Very… nostalgic. Trying to remind me of my childhood?”

I stuck my tongue out at him, a gesture so immature I regretted it immediately.

He laughed, a real one, and for a moment I forgot about Vanessa, the laundromat, everything. Then I looked at him. Really looked.

His eyes were red.

Not tired red. Not sleep-deprived red. Red in a way that made my stomach drop.

“Simon,” I said, my voice losing all its sarcasm. “Why are your eyes red?”

He didn’t look at me. Just kept his eyes on the road ahead. “What are you talking about?”

“Your eyes. They’re all…” I gestured vaguely toward my own face. “Bloodshot. Puffy. Like you’ve been-”

“Men don’t cry, Jamie.”

“I’m being serious, Simon,” I pressed, my voice softer now. “What happened?”

“Nothing happened.”

“Your eyes are red.”

He exhaled slowly. And then he just… deflated.

“My mom showed up,” he said, the words coming out hollow. “At my apartment. She wants money. A hundred thousand dollars.”

I felt the air leave my lungs. “Your mom? The one who-”

“Who walked out on us, yeah. Who chose her new husband over her own son. She wants me to save his life, Jamie.” He laughed, but there was nothing funny about it. “The man who destroyed my family. She wants me to save his life.”

15:26 Tue Sep 29 MT.

FAKN DATING WITH BENEFITS: MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS

“Simon, that’s-”

What’s what? Unbelievable?” He shook his head. “I said no. I told her I hoped he died. And then I left. I drove until I couldn’t see straight anymore. And then I found you.”

His eyes met mine for a second, just a flash of blue in the dark. Then he looked away again, focusing on the avenue like it was the only thing keeping him together.

We were almost at my apartment now. The familiar streets of the Village blurred past in a rush of brick buildings and fire escapes.

He pulled the car to the curb and killed the engine.

For a moment, neither of us moved.

“Simon,” I said, my voice cautious. “Do you want to come up?”

He blinked at me like I’d just asked if he wanted to commit a crime. “What?”

“I have a couch. It’s not as fancy as your Rothko-filled palace, but it’s comfortable. And I can make you something to eat.”

“Jamie, I’m fine-”

“You’re not fine. And I’m not letting you go home alone like this.” I grabbed my laundry basket. “So are you coming up or not?”

He stared at me for a long moment. Then, slowly, a ghost of his usual smile reappeared.

“You’re very bossy for someone wearing a Mickey Mouse shirt with mascara smeared all over her face.”

“I’m a lawyer. Bossy is my brand. And it’s not smeared. It’s…” I paused, checking the mirror. “Okay, it’s smeared. Whatever. Are you coming up or not?”

He got out of the car, and walked in with me.

I made him soup.

“This is terrible,” he said, stirring the broth with his spoon. “Literally the worst thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.”

“Then stop eating it.”

“I can’t. You made it for me. I’m contractually obligated to finish.” He took another spoonful, wincing. “What did you put in here?”

“I used the rest of my vegetable broth. And some noodles. And an egg. It’s fine.”

“An egg? You cracked an egg in here?”

“It’s protein.”

“There’s also an eggshell in here, Jamie. I just chewed an eggshell.”

15:26 Tue Sep 29 MT.

FAKE DATING WITH BENEFITS. MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS

I snatched the bowl away from him. “Done. You’re done.”

“No more complaints.” I’carried the bowl to the sink, feeling his eyes on my back. “I’m putting on a movie. You can watch it and be a good guest, or you can leave and go back to your lonely penthouse and stare at your Rothko. Your choice.”

I heard him laugh-a real laugh, the kind that crinkled his eyes and relaxed his shoulders.

“You’re funny,” he said.

“Glad I entertain you.”

We ended up on my couch, some old rom-com playing on the TV while I tried not to think about the fact that Simon was in my living room looking more like a normal human being than I’d ever seen him.

He smelled like me now. My detergent. My shampoo.

“Your ex was an idiot,” he said, out of nowhere.

I turned to look at him. “What?”

“Dr. Faithful definitely didn’t know what he had. You’re a hell of a woman.”

I swallowed hard. “Simon…”

We were so close now. The air between us was thick with something I couldn’t name.

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