<b>Chapter </b><b>263 </b>


    54%


    38)


    When I got back to Hachester, I met up with Melissa for dinner and gave her a Bulgari bracelet. She was over the moon, showing it off like it was the best thing ever.


    Melissa said, “Life’s looking up for me now that I’ve got a rich friend like you. Just wait. When I start making money, I’ll take you out of town.”


    I couldn’t help but smile. Melissa’s such a sweet talker. “Alright, just remember that when you hit it big,” I said, sipping my coffee with a grin.


    Melissa suddenly leaned in and said, “You know, Mr. Hallman’spany is going public in Shariport.”


    I blinked, surprised. “Really? I should probably go congratte him sometime.”


    “Once hispany goes public, he could be worth billions. Victoria, you need to make your move and lock him down,” Melissa whispered, nudging me.


    “What’s the point of locking him down?” I said with a smile. “His money is his business. It doesn’t have anything to


    do with me.”


    “But he likes you,” Melissa said, practically bouncing in her seat. “You have no idea how popr Mr. Hallman is right now. All these rich girls are after him. He’s the hottest thing around.”


    Nathan’s handsome face shed through my mind. He was young, good–looking, and super talented, but honestly,


    I’d been with guys like him before. It wasn’t anything new.


    “I’d rather he find someone who’s on his level and have a big romance,” I said, not feeling it. Nathan was a great


    guy, and he shouldn’t waste his time.


    “Ugh, Victoria, once bitten, twice shy. I get it,” Melissa sighed, realizing she wasn’t going to change my mind. “But honestly, you’re doing pretty well for yourself. You’re single and well–off.


    “At the end of the day, all anyone really needs is a bed to sleep in and three meals a day. If you can be content, that’s already pretty great. If Nathan’s not the one, there’s always someone else waiting in line.”


    “Wow, another life lesson?” Iughed.


    “Learned it from you,” Melissa said.


    After dinner with Melissa, I headed back to my apartment. It was under my name, and that ce was going to be my home for good.


    As I pulled up to the building, I spotted a Maybach parked by the curb, hazard lights blinking. I took a closer look at the license te. It was Nathan’s. For a second, my mind just went nk.


    I quickly pulled over and parked. Right then, the back door of the Maybach opened, and Nathan got out and headed my way.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    12:09 Thu, 21 Aug 9


    I got out of my car, too. Nathan said, “You’re back.”


    “What are you doing here?” I asked, curious.


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    Nathan nced up at the apartment building and smiled. “I’ve been waiting for you. I wasn’t sure which building


    was yours.”


    “Is there something you wanted?” I asked.


    Nathan looked at me. “I just wanted to see you. Mypany made a big breakthrough today, and I wanted to share my happiness with someone.”


    Before I could react, Nathan leaned in and gave me a quick peck on the forehead. “Victoria, you and Jared are


    divorced, right?”


    “You know about that?” I couldn’t help butugh. I thought I’d kept it on the down low<i>, </i>but Nathan was really in


    the loop.


    “I’ve been keeping tabs on you,” Nathan said with a smile. “So, what are you nning to <i>do </i>next?”


    “No real ns, just taking it easy,” I said. That kiss had caught me off guard, and my heart skipped a beat. Damn,


    those old feelings were waking up again.


    Nathan smiled, that gentle, handsome face showing a hint of hope. “Alright, then just live your life well.”


    I looked up and met his eyes. He was wearing sses, and behind those frames, his eyes seemed even more


    captivating.


    “Nathan, I heard yourpany’s going public. Congrattions,” I said sincerely.


    “Thanks. Once I get this all sorted out, can I take <i>you </i>out for dinner?” Nathan asked, his voice a little husky.


    1 hesitated. Sure, I wanted to just enjoy my freedom, but romance just wasn’t something I was looking for at that


    moment.


    “I just got divorced, and I’m not ready to jump into anything new. But if it’s just being friends, I’m good with that.” I


    made it clear.


    Nathan’s gaze lingered on me, and then he smiled. “Alright!”


    I nced at the time. “It’s prettyte, and you should get some rest.”


    “Hold on,” Nathan said, pulling out a fancy little box from his pocket and handing it to me. “Here, this is for you.”


    By the time I looked down, Nathan was already striding back to his car. A momentter, his car vanished into the night.


    I opened the box and found a glittering tinum ne with a delicate butterfly charm.


    12:09


    Thu, 21 Aug


    <b>Chapter </b><b>264 </b>


    39)