Chapter 183
Olivia
I pushed open the door to Skyline, the rooftop bar Emilia had chosen for our girls‘ night. Floor–to–ceiling windows offered a breathtaking panorama of Los Angeles at night, city lights twinkling like fallen stars across the landscape.
“Liv! Over here!” Emilia waved enthusiastically from a corner table near the edge of the rooftop.
I made my way through the stylishly dressed crowd, already feeling more relaxed than I had at O’Malley’s. The hostess led me to our table, where Emilia, Claire, and Ariana were already sipping colorful cocktails.
“This place is amazing,” I said, sliding into the empty seat beside Emilia. “Much better than our usual haunts.”
“Right?” Claire gestured around with her martini glass. “I feel like I should be in a movie scene up here.”
A server appeared almost instantly. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“I’ll have whatever they’re having,” I said, nodding toward my friends‘ vibrant concoctions.
“Skyline Spritz,” Ariana informed me. “Gin, elderflower, and something magical they won’t tell us about.”
“Perfect,” I confirmed to the server, who disappeared with a professional nod.
“So,” Emilia leaned in as soon as the server was out of earshot. “Can we talk about how James Westbrook just happened to be in that parking lot exactly when you needed rescuing?”
I rolled my eyes. “Not you too.”
“Because it’s suspicious!” Emilia insisted. “Hot billionaire rival of your husband just happens to be at the right place at the right time? That doesn’t strike you as odd?”
“It was a coincidence,” I said firmly. “James was heading into O’Malley’s for a drink. He saw what was happening and stepped in. End of story.”
“Hmm.” Claire tapped her glossy nail against her glass. “Does he show up in other places you go? Maybe bump into you at coffee shops or restaurants?”
I thought about it. “Well, there was that time at Café…”
“Aha!” Ariana pointed at me triumphantly. “He’s totally stalking you.”
“He’s not stalking me,” I protested. “LA is a big city, but the social circles we move in are pretty small. Of course, we’re going to run into each other occasionally.”
My drink arrived, a pale pink concoction garnished with a sprig of lavender. I took a grateful sip, the light floral notes mixing perfectly with the gin.
“All I’m saying,” Emilia continued, “is that if he shows up here tonight, we can officially call it stalking.”
Chapter 183 Pag
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“He’s not going to show up here,” I said confidently. “And if he did, it would definitely be a huge coincidence.”
“Fine.” Emilia relented, but her eyes gleamed with mischief. “Let’s change the subject. How’s married life treating you, Mrs. Carter? Still in honeymoon bliss?”
Heat crept up my neck at the memory of exactly how blissful things had been since our marriage. “It’s good. Really good.”
“That’s it?” Claire looked unimpressed. “You marry the hottest CEO in Los Angeles and all we get is ‘really good“?”
“What do you want me to say?” I laughed, taking another sip of my drink. “That I’m living the dream? That I wake up every morning pinching myself because I can’t believe this is my life now?”
“Yes!” Claire exclaimed, leaning forward eagerly. “That’s exactly what we want to hear. Give us all the juicy details.”
I set my glass down on the table. “Fine. Marriage is incredible. Alexander is incredible.” I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. “He’s attentive and passionate and surprisingly thoughtful.”
“Surprisingly?” Claire raised an eyebrow. “Did you expect him to be some cold business robot?”
“Kind of?” I admitted with a laugh. “I mean, he’s known for being ruthless in the boardroom. But at home, he notices everything. Last week, I mentioned wanting to try this obscure French pastry I read about in a magazine. The next morning, there was a box of them waiting for me on the kitchen counter.”
“Okay, that’s officially adorable,” Ariana sighed dramatically.
“He sounds perfect,” Claire said, taking a sip of her drink.
“Oh, he’s far from perfect. He’s stubborn, works ridiculous hours, and can be frustratingly overprotective. But he’s also mine.”
Emilia reached over and squeezed my hand. “I’m just happy you found someone who treats you right after everything that happened with Ryan.”
“I barely think about him anymore.” I sat up straighter, suddenly remembering my news. “Actually, I have some news. I’m going to Europe with Alexander next week.”
Three pairs of eyes widened simultaneously.
“Europe?” Claire gasped. “Like, the actual continent across the ocean?”
“No, the Europe in Nebraska,” Emilia deadpanned. “Of course, the actual continent!”
I laughed at their reactions. “London, Paris, and Milan. Ten days for meetings and sightseeing.”
“Holy shit,” Ariana breathed. “That’s not a trip, that’s a fantasy vacation.”
“I know,” I admitted. “I still can’t believe it myself.”
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Chapter 183
“So what’s the occasion?” Claire asked. “Anniversary? Birthday?”
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I shook my head. “Alexander has business meetings, but he wants me to come along. Said I deserve a break.
“That’s it?” Emilia looked skeptical. “No special reason? Just ‘hey honey, want to see Europe?”
“Pretty much.” I shrugged. “He travels a lot for work, and this time he doesn’t want to go alone.”
“Girl,” Ariana leaned in, her expression serious, “do you have any idea how many women would kill to be in your position right now? Whisked away to Europe by a hot billionaire husband?”
“I’m well aware of my good fortune,” I assured her.
“When do you leave?” Claire asked.
“Next week. We’ll start in London, then Paris, then finish in Milan.”
“Milan?” Emilia’s eyes lit up. “Fashion capital of the world? Please tell me you’re going shopping.”
“I mean, I hope so. I’ve never been to any of these places before.”
“You’ve never been to Paris?” Claire looked shocked. “Oh my god, you have to see the Louvre. And the Eiffel Tower at night. It’s magical.”
“And London!” Ariana chimed in. “The British Museum is amazing. And you have to see a West End show.”
“And the shopping in Milan,” Emilia added dreamily. “Promise me you’ll buy something fabulous.”
“I’ll do my best,” I laughed. “Alexander says he has meetings during the days, but evenings will be ours to explore.”
“So romantic,” Claire sighed. “Strolling hand in hand through Paris. God, I’m jealous.”
“What about your job?” Emilia asked. “The Thompson account just launched, right?”
“Michelle approved the time off. I can work remotely if needed, but mostly it’s supposed to be a vacation.”
“Alexander Carter approving a vacation?” Ariana raised an eyebrow. “The workaholic CEO? The man who reportedly takes calls during his massages?”
I smiled. “He’s different with me. More balanced.”
“You’ve changed him,” Claire declared dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. “It’s like a Hallmark movie come to life.”
“I wouldn’t
life now.”
go
that far,” I protested, though secretly I was pleased by the thought. “He just… includes me in his
Emilia leaned forward conspiratorially, “How’s living at the Carter estate? Is it as ridiculous as we imagine?”
“More ridiculous,” I admitted. “The place is enormous. I still get lost sometimes.”
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Chapter 183
“Do you have staff?” Ariana asked eagerly. “Like, actual servants?”
“We have Alfred, a few housekeepers, and a personal chef.”
“A personal chef!” Claire squealed. “That’s it, I’m officially dying of jealousy.”
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“What’s Alexander like at home?” Emilia asked, her expression genuinely curious. “Is he the same as he is in public?”