Don’t Fall for the Billionaire Lover

For Connor, this was the best news he'd heard in ages.

He left the hospital in a great mood, the sky already fading into evening. Just as he was thinking about heading home, his phone buzzed again-Teddy's name flashed on the screen.

Connor picked up with a sigh. "Teddy, this better be important."

Teddy had been off in la-la land all day at the office. Halfway through meetings, he'd suddenly start rambling about his upcoming wedding, and Connor had almost booted him out of the building more than once.

Teddy sounded sheepish. "Boss, my fiancée wants to invite you and Chloe to dinner."

Connor paused, then said, "Alright. Let's meet at Pure White."

When Connor and Chloe arrived, Teddy and his fiancée were already waiting in one of Pure White's private rooms. The four of them had shared meals before over the last couple of years, so it wasn't awkward.

Connor shrugged off his suit jacket and draped it over the back of his chair, settling in. "You've met Teddy," he said to Chloe, "and this is his fiancée, Maddie."

Maddie looked gorgeous in a gold fringed dress-elegant, a little glamorous, totally confident. She stepped over and shook Chloe's hand. "Chloe, we actually knew each other before."

Teddy had already told her about Chloe's amnesia. Maddie wasn't surprised; after all, she'd seen Grant do that terrible acupuncture herself. She knew exactly what Chloe had been through.

Chloe shook her hand, smiling. "I heard you two are getting married. Congratulations."

Maddie smiled back. "Come on, let's sit and eat."

She picked up the menu, flipping through it. "I've been gone for years, and the menu still hasn't changed."

Maddie used to run Pure White for Connor-she'd been the manager for five years. They'd been the kind of friends who trusted each other with everything.

Connor looked at her. "You picked every dish on this menu, Maddie. You poured your heart into this place. Amelia, I want you to have Pure White-as my wedding gift to you and Teddy."

Maddie froze, her fingers going still on the menu.

She looked up at Connor, a small, wry smile tugging at her lips. "Connor, aren't you worried I'll scam you?"

Connor met her eyes, deadpan. "Are you?"

The air in the room shifted-everything went quiet, tension settling in.

Chloe glanced between them, totally lost.

Suddenly, Teddy jumped in, grinning. "She is a scammer, and I'm happy to be her victim."

He pulled Maddie closer, wrapping an arm around her. "We agreed-you can trick me for the rest of my life."

Maddie laughed and pinched his cheek. "Idiot. I know."

Teddy's face went bright red. He

shot Connor a desperate look, t

leaned over and whispered,

scare her off, you owe me een

time."noveldrama

Maddie opened a bottle of red wine and poured for everyone. When she got to Chloe, she paused,

remembering. "Almost forgot, you can't drink." She set the wine aside and poured Chloe a glass of orange juice instead.

Once everyone had their drinks, Maddie raised her glass. "Cheers to the wild lives we've all lived."

Connor raised his own, cool as ever. "And to the bright futures ahead of us."

The dinner turned out way more relaxed than anyone expected.

Except Maddie kept drinking until her cheeks were flushed and she could barely sit up straight. Teddy wanted to stop her, but didn't dare he just pleaded, "Babe please, that's enough. You're already drunk."

Finally, Amelia set down her glass and said softly, "Some things I can only say

after I've had a little too much to drink."