Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 216

I'd spent the whole morning rehearsing what I was going to say to Nate. In theory, it was a simple conversation. Thank him for the gifts. Keep the record. Return the necklace. Simple, straightforward, no drama.

So why were my hands shaking when I picked up that little navy velvet box?

It was almost two in the afternoon by the time I finally worked up enough courage to walk to his office. The door was slightly open, and I could see him focused on a stack of documents, a strand of hair falling across his forehead in a way that reminded me of Saturday at the market.

I tapped lightly on the door.

"Come in," he said without looking up.

"Nate?" I called, hesitant. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

He lifted his gaze and smiled when he saw me, that genuine smile that always made something flip in my stomach.

"Of course, Annie. Have a seat."

I stepped inside, closing the door behind me.

"I came to thank you for the gifts," I said, staying on my feet and holding the little box with both hands. "The single is amazing. I had no idea there were Japanese copies in such good condition."

"I'm glad you liked it," Nate said, leaning back in his chair. "I'd been holding onto it for years, waiting for someone who would actually appreciate the music."

"It's beautiful, really. I'll treat it like treasure," I said honestly. "But about the necklace..."

I set the box on his desk and nudged it gently toward him.

"I can't accept it."

His expression shifted slightly, a flicker of confusion in his green eyes.

"Why not?"

"It's too personal," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's not something you give to a... friend."

"Annie, it's just a necklace," Nate said, pushing the box back toward me. "It's not a big deal."

"A diamond necklace, Nate," I said, keeping my hands at my sides. "That must have cost..."

"I don't really know much about jewelry," he cut in, shrugging like it was nothing. "I saw it, thought it was beautiful, thought of you. That's all."

"Nate..."

"It would mean a lot to me if you accepted it," he said, meeting my eyes. "I mean, what's the point of having friends if I can't show them I appreciate them?"

For a moment, I almost gave in. There was something in the way he said it, in the honesty in his gaze, that made me want to pick up the box and just accept it. But then I remembered Gwen's words, our conversation that morning, and all the fear I had about making things complicated.

"I'm sorry," I said firmly, leaving the box where it was. "But I can't."

I turned to leave, but before I could reach the door, it swung open.

Alexandra walked in holding two coffees, wearing a navy dress that hugged her curves perfectly and heels that made her look even taller and more intimidating. She looked me up and down, clearly assessing why I was there, then lifted her chin and rolled her eyes so subtly only I caught it.

"Hi, Nate," she said in a syrupy voice, pretending I didn't exist as she moved closer to his desk. "I brought coffee. Just the way you like it."

She set one of the cups down, leaning forward in a way that highlighted her neckline, then rested her hip against his desk with practiced elegance.

"We're still on for Friday, right?" she asked, twirling a strand of blond hair. "I got that reservation."

Nate looked visibly uncomfortable, his eyes flicking from Alexandra to me like he wished this conversation wasn't happening with me in the room.

"Uh... yeah," he said, hesitant. "Of course."

That was when Alexandra noticed the velvet box on his desk.

"Here's your... trinket," she said, making it sound like an insult.

I took it and put it back in the box, my hands shaking slightly with fury. That was when my eyes met Nate's.

And I saw exactly what I didn't want to see.

Amusement.

He was enjoying this. There was a spark in his eyes, a tiny smile at the corner of his mouth, like he was watching a particularly entertaining show.

He knew. He knew I was jealous. He knew I'd reacted in a way that exposed everything I'd been trying to hide. He knew that despite all my talk about friendship and professionalism, I had just shown him exactly how I felt.

The realization hit me like a punch to the ribs.

Without a word, I snapped the box shut, clutched it against my chest, turned around and walked out.

I could hear Alexandra making some sarcastic comment to Nate, but the buzzing in my ears drowned her out. I walked down the hall toward my desk, ignoring the curious looks from coworkers who could clearly see something was wrong.

When I finally sat down, Gwen looked at me with concern.

"Annie? Are you okay? You look..."

"I'm fine," I lied, turning on my computer with stiff, wooden movements.

But I wasn't fine. I was humiliated. I'd just acted like a jealous teenager in front of Nate and Alexandra, laying bare every feeling I'd been trying to bury.

And judging by the amused spark in his eyes, Nate knew it perfectly well.

Shit.