Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You Can't Afford Me by Thedora Birnir

Chapter 82 No Slipping Away Again

“Eric!”

Hadley staggered as the man crashed into her, his weight throwing her off balance.

“What the hell happened to you?”

Not that she needed an answer. The sharp sting of alcohol clung to him, thick and undeniable.

“You’re wasted, aren’t you?”

“Mmm… not even close.”

Drunk people always said that. Even as he swayed, barely upright, Eric refused to admit it.

He’d drained almost an entire bottle of wine by himself. Hadley hadn’t even taken a sip. If he wasn’t drunk, then what was this about?

Hadley hitched his arm over her shoulder, bracing herself under his weight. “Can you even walk?” “Mm–hmm.” Eric bobbed his head but made no effort to move. “Just hold onto me, and I’ve got it.”

She exhaled sharply.

Letting him go wasn’t an option- he’d probably topple like a sack of bricks.

“Fine. I’ll help. But take it slow.”

“Alright.” His gaze drifted, landing on the delicate sweep of her lashes. Long and curled, they cast soft shadows over her cheeks with every slow blink.

Each flutter sent a strange sensation through him, like they weren’t just brushing against her skin–but against something deep inside him, stirring it awake.

“Eric?”

A familiar voice rang out as they stepped out of the private room. Hadley turned to find Linda standing a few steps away.

“Linda,” Eric greeted, still draped over Hadley like he had every right to be there. His arm hung loosely around her shoulders, and from an outsider’s perspective, it probably looked more like an embrace than her struggling to keep him upright.

“What’s going on with you two?”

Linda’s steps quickened as her gaze darted between them, her eyes widening.

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Chapter 82 No Slipping Away Again

Had she seen that right? Why were Eric and Hadley even together in a restaurant?

And why did they look so… close?

Hadley stiffened, hyper–aware of Linda’s gaze drilling into her.

pull away, to put

“What are you doing?” His brow furrowed, annoyance flashing across his face. “Quit squirming. You’ll make

like this, right in front of Linda, like it meant nothing? Did he not

my problem anyway,” Hadley

in his face later, he

turned her head, her expression locking into

attention back to Linda. His voice was smooth, effortless. “Hadley and I

hesitated before gesturing toward one of the private rooms.

Since when did Hadley

director and producers are here too.

that.” Eric’s smile was relaxed but distant. “It’s your

alright.” Linda’s smile wavered for

in a slight nod. “You should go

her lips together, casting one

stopped just around the corner, lingering

easily? But from the hesitation in Linda’s eyes, it was

this? Was that why he was giving

voice broke

over her, he mumbled sleepily, “Go take

blinked. “Uh… okay.”

“1

back into focus, and

pocket,” Eric muttered, making no effort to move.

weight pressing into her like he was seconds from passing out.

dumbfounded. Was he seriously expecting her to dig through his pockets?

20.8%

took to get this over with…

and slipping

her

lifted her

amused chuckle tickled her ear. Eric’s voice came

The inner pockets?

had them, but was he seriously expecting her to dig inside his jacket? That meant getting

irritation flickering across her face.

you’d rather let everyone think I skipped out on the

sighed and moved–both hands at once.

shifting

took a different approach–she unbuttoned his jacket and flipped the front

pulling out the wallet with a

a low hum, amusement flickering in his eyes. Smart

took out some cash from his wallet, and the bill was

the wallet back into his pocket.

of approval and gave a slow nod.

seen it all. Her expression remained unreadable, but the sharpness in her gaze spoke volumes.

Hadley been this at ease with each

stepped outside and instantly