Romancing the Billionaire by Jessica Clare Page B

didn’t know who—or what—to believe anymore.

FIVE

    J onathan barely glanced up from his bottle of Scotch as someone sat down at his table. To his surprise, it looked like his friend, Cade. He closed his eyes, and then rubbed them. “Damn. I think I’m drinking too much.”
    â€œWhat’s on the menu?” Cade asked, picking up a bottle and sniffing it. He winced. “Jesus, man. Did you buy up all the decent brands already?”
    He shrugged. “Alcohol is alcohol.”
    â€œAnd you’re not one to drink.” Cade waved someone over. “Can I get a glass, please? And two waters.” He turned back to Jonathan. “So, you want to say what’s bothering you?”
    Jonathan poured himself another drink and slugged it down. “My life is fucking rotten, that’s what.”
    â€œOdd thing to hear from a man who seems to love mountain climbing and chasing down lost cities.”
    â€œAll dumb shit to pass the time,” Jonathan said. “It’s all bullshit that doesn’t fucking matter.” Nothing mattered because ten years ago, he’d had Violet and she was carrying his child . . . and he’d pissed it all away to go gallivanting around the world with a man who lied to his face while pretending to be his friend and mentor.
    Christ, he was a fucking idiot. He’d given up Violet. His Violet. Jonathan rubbed his face again and moaned as the reality of it came crashing down again. “Cade, I’m such a fool.”
    â€œIs this about that lovely woman who just ran off?” Cade sipped his drink, his expression friendly and understanding. Of course Cade wouldn’t judge him. Cade never judged anyone. If ever there was a man who deserved to be sainted, it was Cade Archer. Jonathan couldn’t even hate him for it.
    Instead, he craned his neck, hoping for another glimpse of Violet. “Did she leave?”
    â€œCouldn’t get out of here fast enough.”
    He stared down into his glass, thinking of Violet’s wary brown eyes, her smooth hair, her lush figure that had only ripened with age. “She is beautiful, isn’t she? She makes my heart hurt just to look at her. I see her face, and I see everything I could have had.” He shook his head and wanted to bang it on the table in frustration. “But I don’t have any of it. I have nothing.”
    â€œThat’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?” Cade squinted at him, analyzing him. “You’ve turned your family’s fortunes around. You’re one of the wealthiest men on the planet. You’re a benefactor for dozens of charities. You’re never cruel, you’re generous with your money, and you have some really kick-ass friends.” He grinned at the last part. “It can’t be all bad, can it?”
    â€œBut none of it matters because she hates me,” Jonathan snarled. His hand gripped his tumbler so tightly Cade thought it might shatter. “I’d give it all up in a heartbeat to know she loved me again.”
    â€œI don’t think she hates you,” Cade said quietly. “She wouldn’t be this unsettled if she did.”
    â€œWhat do you know? You’ve never lost anyone you loved. You have a perfect life.”
    â€œPerfect,” Cade echoed, and his smile twisted a little, looking surprisingly brittle. “Are we confessing our sins, then? All right.” He leaned forward and poured himself a bigger drink, not looking at Jonathan. “I’ve loved and lost, too.”
    â€œWho?” Jonathan didn’t believe him. Cade was just spouting shit to make Jonathan feel better.
    The blond man took a long swig of his drink and considered it for a time before looking up at Jonathan again. “Daphne Petty,” he said slowly.
    Didn’t ring a bell. Sounded familiar, but Jonathan’s brain was skunked at the moment. “Am I supposed to know who that