Saved by the Boss (New York Billionaires, #2)

by Olivia Hayle

I’ve learned in my matchmaking days, it’s that beauty and appearance matters little when two people don’t have chemistry. And when they do, it doesn’t matter at all.

“I’m not drunk.” “Sure you’re not.” “I’m just… elevated by the juice of the grape.”

“A friend,” I repeat, running my thumb around the rim of the mug. Looking at her and knowing I’ll never be satisfied with just that, but unable to ever offer her more.

He bends down and my eyes flutter closed as he presses the briefest of kisses to my cheek.

“I don’t have to believe in love,” he says, “to respect the fact that you do.”

He reaches out, catching a blonde lock between two fingers. “Summer,” he says. “Yes?” “Sing in the shower every day you’re here.”

Reach up on my tiptoes and press a kiss to his lips.

He catches my wrist and tugs me against him, tipping my head back and slanting his mouth over mine.

He kisses me like he already knows how I taste and is addicted to it. Like I might disappear at any moment.

Finding the one woman you want when you have nothing to give. If the universe has a sense of humor, I imagine it’s laughing at me now.

Because I’m not pleasant to be around anymore, I think, and I don’t know why I’m different around you. Why I like myself more when you’re next to me.

She moves closer, and every nerve in my body lights up.

Her hands lock around my neck and fit there like they were meant to be. Like she’s always been made for my arms.

Surrendering to her feels like putting down a weight I didn’t know I’d carried.

“Just looking for more things I can help make happen,” I say. Before I have to leave you.

“I’m not always happy.” “I know,” he says. “But you’re always genuine.” “An open book, or so I’ve been told.” “You let people see you, Summer. That’s strength.”

“I’m thankful I saw you, at any rate,” he murmurs. “Before it all goes black.”

“What do you do,” I whisper to him, “when the person you love refuses to love himself?”

“The people who care about you won’t judge, and the people who do? You don’t care about them.”

“Summer, I picked them out myself.” “You… you didn’t ask someone to do it for you?” “No, I went there myself. It should have been the first warning flag, really.” “Warning flag?” “That I was falling for you,”

“I love you, Summer. For so many reasons. For who you are. For your goodness and sweetness and smiles. For your optimism. But also for your bad days, and your insecurities, and when you lost your temper at that delivery guy one time.”

“Yes, especially that. I love that you find a silver lining everywhere, even when it’s infuriating as hell. I love that you don’t need me. You want me. There’s a difference.

“For now, do you want to introduce me to your friends?” “As…?” “Yes,” he says, eyes bright. “As your boyfriend.”