Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 125

Chapter 125

Annabelle’s POV

The electronic beat pulsed through the bar as I took another sip of my cocktail, watching Amanda try to get the attention of the hot bartender who was clearly more into his own reflection in the mirror behind the counter.

“Mandy, give it up. That guy’s more in love with himself than any woman could ever be,” I said, laughing when she made an exaggerated face.

“You’re only saying that because you’ve already got your own Valentian lover,” she teased, turning toward me with a wicked grin. “So where is Marcus, anyway? I thought you two were basically glued together these days.”

“He’s in Euradia for work.” I shrugged, picking up an olive from the little dish between us. “And we’re not glued- together. We just… have fun when he’s in town.”

“Oh, sure,” Amanda said, rolling her eyes. “‘Having fun.’ Is that what we’re calling it now?”

“That’s exactly what it is,” I insisted, though a strange pang hit my chest. “Marcus’s great, but it’s not like we’re planning a future together. We’re just two adults enjoying each other’s company, no strings attached.”

Amanda studied me for a moment, twirling the straw in her drink.

“You know, Annie, there’s a difference between not wanting a relationship and pretending not to care.”

“I’m not pretending anything,” I shot back, maybe a little too quickly. “Look, I like Marcus. He’s fun, sweet, and… well, you’ve seen him. But it’s not like we’re really dating.”

“And why not?”

The question caught me off guard. Why not? Why did I always avoid serious relationships? Was it because I loved my freedom-or because I was scared of getting hurt?

“Because we’re different people in different stages of life,” I said finally. “He’s thirty but acts like he’s eighteen. And that’s fine, because honestly, I’m kind of in that same carefree phase too. But what happens when I grow up? When I want something more stable?”

“You think he doesn’t want that?”

“I don’t know.” I fiddled with the napkin in front of me. “And I’m not sure I do either. Not yet, anyway. I mean, look at us. It’s Saturday night, we’re free to do whatever we want, flirt with whoever we want…”

“Except you’re here talking about Marcus instead of enjoying all that freedom,” Amanda pointed out with a knowing smile.

She wasn’t wrong. Instead of living it up, I was sitting here overanalyzing a guy who was probably in some bar in Milan doing exactly what I should be doing right now.

“Okay, fine, you win.” I laughed, throwing my hands up. “Maybe I like Marcus a little more than I should for something casual.”

“And that scares you?”

“A little,” I admitted. “You know how it is, Amanda. Watching my sister and Christian-even with all their ups and downs-they have something real. Solid. They’re a real team.”

I thought about Zoey, how much she’d changed since getting married. It wasn’t just Christian. It was the way she’d found someone who actually completed her. And now, with the baby…

I stopped myself before saying it out loud. It wasn’t my secret to tell. But seeing her start a family made me question what I really wanted for myself.

“Annie?” Amanda waved a hand in front of my face. “You drifted off again.”

“Sorry.” I shook my head, smiling. “I was just thinking about Zoey.”

“How’s she doing? Haven’t seen her in ages.

“She’s good. Married, happy… you know, all that.” I kept my tone light, even though I knew Zoey wasn’t doing great after the fight with Christian. “Married life and all.”

“And do you ever want something like that?”

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