15. The Billionaire
15
THE BILLIONAIRE
ODETTE
“ W hat is that smile for?” Rick teased.
“Have a good ride?” Alexandra asked.
I collapsed on the sitting room couch. Grieg settled next to me, falling back asleep as he’d been in the cargo bucket moments before.
“It was.”
Rick knew something was up. He was a nosey papa who never let things go. He read social cues better than the rest of us.
“That was the world’s longest coffee run,” Rick continued.
“How did you know what she was up to?”
“Lex, I ran into her on the way out,” Rick answered.
Christophe approached with a cup. Rick pretended to sip it. “Mmm, that hit the spot, Chris.”
“I took a detour. I ran into someone at the shop, and Grieg and I decided to help entertain a toddler.”
“What? Is this the person you texted me about? For the nanny?” Alexandra asked.
“Yes.”
“Who is this?” Rick asked.
“What is up with you?” Alexandra inquired. “You are on a mission. ”
He knew what she didn’t.
“It’s Wyatt,” I answered.
“Mr Billionaire? I knew it!”
“What?”
“Lex, she’s got a crush on Wyatt Worthington. I knew it. So that text was about his kid and the nanny situation?”
“Yes,” I blushed. “I don’t have a crush, though!”
“Your face suggests otherwise, princess,” Rick said.
“Odette, he’s too old for you. Let it go.”
“I am not planning to have a relationship with him,” I argued. “I am his friend . We are working on some advocacy for Vision 360. We need a strategy. I can champion improvements and make Neandia safer. He’s the experienced one. I’m trying to be a good partner. That’s all.”
Secretly, I wanted it to be different. He made me nervous, and I felt things I shouldn’t. I loved his smile, and seeing him with Theo only drew me closer. Despite how perfect it felt, there had to be something wrong with him. Alexandra was probably right.
“It’s okay to fall for someone older, Alexandra,” Rick said. “You should talk!”
“He’s what? Your age? He’s too old for little Odie!”
Little Odie . I set my jaw. “I’m grown, Alex. I have every right to be my own woman! Can you just let it go and see me as human, please? That’s all I want.”
She sighed and made eye contact with Rick, whose face telegraphed admonishment. It was funny. When Rick arrived, I couldn’t imagine anyone fitting into our world. But soon after, I may have had a girlhood crush on him. Then, he became like our dad—a cool dad who let us be wild. He didn’t try to stifle my creativity or tell Ingrid to pipe down. Alexandra struggled to let us be free. It wasn’t her fault but a factor of her status as monarch. Her role demanded it.
Alexandra’s face softened as she considered her words.
“Odie, I’m sorry. You have worked hard. And things are going well with you at work. I appreciate your stepping up. I should give you more credit.”
I smiled. “Thanks for saying that. ”
“I still think he’s too old for you, and you should avoid someone with children. That seems complicated.”
More complicated than a man who used me, led me on, and dropped me like a hot potato when things got rough ?
“I don’t think I will end up with anyone my age,” I protested. “Men in their twenties are petty little boys. You know this full well.”
Rick gave her an I-told-you-so glance.
Watching him win this round was strangely satisfying.