Page 58 of Billionaire Bad Boy Auction

I frowned. “I suppose. If you’ll excuse me, I’m meeting someone.”

“Tell Dean we’re all so grateful for his heroic actions last night,” she said. “He saved that little boy.”

Again, I wasn’t sure why I would need to give him the message. “If I see him, I’ll pass it along.”

I continued on my way to the diner. I didn’t know if I was being paranoid or what, but I could have sworn people were looking at me and whispering—again. I thought the natural progression of gossip generally meant things died down. It felt like someone had doused the embers with gasoline. Or maybe I was just being paranoid.

When I finally reached the café, Alexis was already there, sipping a latte and scrolling through her phone. She looked up as I sat down. There was a silly grin on her face.

“I need a gallon of coffee,” I said.

“You’re glowing,” she said, her tone teasing.

“I am not.” I waved the waitress over. “Can I get a coffee and orange juice?” I looked at Alexis. “Did you order yet?”

“Nope. I was waiting for you. I wasn’t sure you would want to eat.”

“Why wouldn’t I want to eat?” I asked with confusion.

“I’ll be back with your coffee,” the waitress said. “We’ll figure out if you’re going to eat then.”

After she walked away, I looked at Alexis and laughed. “That was rude.”

Alexis leaned forward. “I take it last night with Mr. Broody McBadass went well?”

“What are you talking about?” I didn’t know why I was in denial. And I was going to tell her about it, but it felt like she was stealing my thunder.

“Oh, are you going to pretend there wasn’t fireworks on the ground as well as the sky?” she teased.

The waitress delivered my coffee and juice. We ordered breakfast.

“Spill,” Alexis said.

“Okay, yes, I did go to his place after I got home,” I said. “Just to check on him. I was worried. The idiot didn’t even go to the hospital.”

“Did you play doctor?” she teased.

I laughed. “I did take very good care of him.”

“Keep going,” she said.

“It was…” I hesitated. Magical. But saying that out loud felt dangerous. So instead, I shrugged. “It was good.”

Alexis grinned. “Good? Honey, people don’t ‘glow’ over good.”

I rolled my eyes. “Stop.” I took a deep breath, stirring my coffee absently as Alexis leaned in, her eyes wide with anticipation. “Okay,” I said keeping my voice low despite the chatter of the café around us. “After I left the festival, I went to his place. I didn’t even really plan it—I just… I needed to make sure he was okay.”

Alexis nodded, her grin widening. “And?”

“And he was shirtless and gorgeous.” I shook my head, recalling the sight of him.

“Go on,” Alexis said.

“I stayed,” I admitted.

“Was it amazing?”

“I shouldn’t kiss and tell.”