Blank: Alpha Billionaire Romance by Cassie Wild Page A

mine.”
    “Who told you that you weren’t smart?” I asked as I released her. A fierce loyalty to this girl had taken place over the last couple weeks. “They were dead wrong.”
    She looked down at her nails. “My parents...they never exactly got awards for their parenting skills.” She shrugged. “I guess when people tell you you’re stupid enough, you start to believe them.”
    I shook my head. I could only hope that I could be half the friend to her that she’d been to me. She deserved it.
    ***
    “So I have a phone meeting with one potential client tomorrow, and another on Monday,” I told Kris over the phone on Friday morning. “It’s not a lot, but it’s a start. I know I can handle answering emails and sending contracts out to people or whatever. Posting to social media. That sort of thing. And having that little nest egg in the bank makes me feel a lot more stable. Once I get some money rolling in, I’ll feel more confident finding a place of my own again.”
    “That’s great, Preslee,” Kris said enthusiastically.
    “Well, I had a lot of help. I hope that I can repay Ava someday. I really do.”
    “I know. And I’m sure you’ll find a way.” There was a short pause and he cleared his throat before asking, “So I have to ask…what about finding the person who hit you? Are you going to give up on that?”
    “Oh, no,” I said. “What gave you that idea?”
    “I don’t know. You did a one-eighty from the last time we saw each other. Here you are, finding work, getting back to school, talking about finding an apartment. I’m wondering if you’ll have the time to look into your accident.”
    I frowned. He’d been the one who’d gone to see the cops in the first place. What had changed? What did he know that I didn’t know?
    I laughed tightly, hiding my feelings. “I’m pretty sure I can handle a little side investigation while finishing my coursework.”
    He sighed. “I didn’t mean it that way. I’m not trying to underestimate you or imply that you’re not capable. I’m just starting to wonder whether it might not be a better idea to take the money you’ve been offered, rather than run around in circles for God knows how long. And like you’ve said, you’re going to have to start paying your hospital bills. I doubt that a VA position will get you far.”
    “Now who’s doing a one-eighty?” I called him out. “Just last weekend, you were all about being cautious and not jumping into a settlement without knowing more about the accident. You told me you’d help me, and that I shouldn’t worry. Now, you’re advising me to take the money and run. What gives?” I was starting to wonder whose side he was on, mine or his father’s.
    He exhaled. “I’m sorry, Preslee. I’m just concerned about you.”
    I hesitated, then asked the question buzzing around in my brain. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
    “No, nothing that I haven’t already told you.” But this time, his words came out false, and the hair on the back of my neck stood up.
    There were too many question marks. Too many doubts. Too many inconsistencies. Something wasn’t right about this whole situation. Beyond the obvious, of course.
    “I promise,” he added, as if reading my mind.
    But I wasn’t so certain I could believe him anymore.

Chapter 11
    Preslee
    Kris asked me out for dinner on Friday and while part of me rejoiced at the idea, the mistrust that had built after our last few conversations was starting to sink in like a slow poison. I wanted to believe him because when I was with him, I could breathe. I didn’t have to pretend to have it all together. He made me feel safe, despite the doubts.
    It didn’t hurt that he was so drop-dead gorgeous that he could make me forget what I was saying mid-sentence. There were moments when we’d be in the middle of a conversation and he would look at me and all rational thought would fly out the window.
    I wondered if I was always so spacey and