Page 5 of The Billionaire Invitation

Mrs. Richter turned to find Evelyn. Mr. Richter offered a slight nod as he scuttled after her.

“He was quiet,” Honesty said rather than point out how well Dante had handled that situation.

“Probably doesn’t have much of a choice.”

The wry delivery pulled a laugh out of her. Dante made a sound that might have been perceived as a chuckle. Who would have thunk that eight years later, she would be laughing with the man who had torn her heart into confetti?

“So, will you accompany me to the balcony?” He gestured. “I could use some air.”

“Um.” Before she could politely turn him down, she spotted Mrs. Richter heading her way, this time with Evelyn at her side. “Yes. Let’s go outside while we can.”

CHAPTER THREE

Escaping to the balcony had been more for Honesty’s sake than his, though he couldn’t tell if she was more relaxed or less.

A handful of guests had meandered outside. One stood at the far end, smoking a cigarette and laughing loudly with a friend. A couple of older guys peered over the ledge and murmured something about “the drop” and how it’d be “a long way down” before refocusing on their beers.

Honesty peered over the balcony as well, the wind lifting her dark brown hair. She wore it loose in waves, unlike the ponytail she’d favored in college. And that dress—damn. If she’d wanted to show him what he’d been missing, she had his full attention.

But she was more to him than enduring beauty. He’d admired her poise and confidence while she’d stood at the podium. How she’d managed to keep it together while speaking of a brother she’d loved more than anyone was beyond him.

And he’d died just six months ago. An absolute tragedy.

A pang of regret hollowed out his chest. He wished he would have known. He would have… Well, he didn’t know what he would have done. But something. Something, rather than nothing.

That was on him. He’d left Chicago, college, and Honesty in one fell swoop. Contact with her had been too painful, so he hadn’t reached out, save one text when she’d graduated. He’d sent “Congrats on graduating.”

Her reply? Thx.

The remainder of what they’d had together died off after that. He’d told himself it was just as well. That he’d been mourning his grandfather while running a foundation—an undertaking that hadn’t been easy.

Honesty turned away from the balcony to face him. Her eyes were like he remembered. Amber, with gold in the centers. Her mouth was exactly as he remembered—framed by soft, shallow dimples.

“Thanks for the save.” Her tone had changed, though. Gone was the girl who animatedly told stories while he scarfed down the last slice of pizza. The tone she’d been using with him tonight had been polite. Distant.

“People ramble when they’re uncomfortable,” he said. “And when the event is centered around a loss or a tragedy, they get worse.”

“It’s funny how we’re all the same.” She sipped her wine, but her brow wrinkled as if she was reconsidering that observation.

Dante and Honesty hadn’t been the same. They hadn’t been able to make the simplest of decisions in unison.

“So. You’re still in LA?” she asked.

A clumsy segue, but he’d take it. “Do I detect a note of hope in your voice?”

Her laugh was more contained than the one in his memory. “Genuine curiosity.”

“I’m still in LA. So is my mom, though she’s heading to New York with a box of couture gowns as we speak.”

“Big film?”

“Always.”

She flipped her hair, revealing one smooth shoulder. He pictured kissing that shoulder like he’d done a thousand times before, a thousand years ago.

“And how is the foundation? Assuming you’re still in charge?”

“I belong on top.”