The Billionaire's Playmate ✔

23 | HEART BREAKER

I can immediately tell that Jenna was right about the fact that he met someone because a glorious smile crosses his face. "I did," he replies, evenly.

"What's that smile for?" I tease.

Elliot shrugs nonchalantly. "Nothing. I just like my job. And I know you like yours because you get to boss people around."

"It's the only reason I became a consultant," I say, "Where are we going?"

"Millennium Square," Elliot replies, "We're meeting there and we'll walk around and pick a place to eat."

"Sounds good," I nod.

Elliot pulls into an empty parking space and he and I walk to the entry park of Millennium Square. There are so many people around, as usual. The cobblestoned paths are littered with families, couples and groups of friends enjoying a Saturday out.

As we walk closer towards the park benches, I see everyone else there. Rosalie, Jenna and Scarlett are seated on a bench, talking to the boys. Aiden, Ace and Marco sit on the bench opposite to them.

I brace myself to look at Marco; something I haven't done in almost a month.

"Look who I brought," Elliot announces to the group as he and I approach them.

An echo of relief goes through the group as I wave to them.

"Finally," Jenna says, standing, "Another minute and I would have had to eat Sky's fake candy earrings."

I give her a look and then, a hug.

Looking around the group, I try to channel my inner Ace and Elliot and look at nonchalant as possible when my eyes pass over Marco. I don't stop long enough to have to look at him, but I see that he's looking at me. My heart starts to race and I turn.

"Where are we eating?" I ask, scanning the restaurants that I can eat.

"Why don't we take a walk and pick a place?" Scarlett pitches, slipping over to Ace, who immediately takes her hand in his.

As we walk down the fake streets of Millennium Square, we all take it in turn to either agree to or veto a different restaurant.

"What about August?" Aiden asks, pointing to the restaurant.

Scarlett shakes her head. "Nope. I'm in the mood to eat everything. Their portions are too small."

Elliot laughs. "You're dating a billionaire. I'm sure he'll buy you more than one portion."

Ace snorts, while Scarlett sticks her tongue out at Elliot. "Don't count on it. He doesn't even snack, the psycho."

"Tacos?" I venture, pointing to a place on the other side of the square.

Aiden disagrees. "Not in the mood for Mexican."

"Oh, please," Rosalie laughs, "You just know that they're spicy and you're a spice lightweight."

"Rosa, shhh. We're supposed to keep each other's secrets," Aiden shushes.

"No, Aiden, we all know that you can't handle spice," I tell him.

Marco points to a place in front of us. "What about 'Hestia's'?"

"Nope," I say, immediately.

Marco steps up next to me. "Why not?" he asks. There's no annoyance in his voice; just amused curiosity, like there usually is.

"Uhhh," I sigh, "Because – because I'm a little bit" – I look around the group that has now, stopped walking and is looking at me – "I'm a little bit ... banned for life."