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.

to put some

brow furrowed, annoyance flashing across his

in front of Linda, like it meant nothing? Did he not care how

Won’t be my problem anyway,” Hadley

up in his face later, he had no one to

her expression

apparently satisfied, turned his attention back to Linda. His voice was smooth, effortless. “Hadley and I just grabbed dinner. What

one of the private rooms. “Our film crew is

was elsewhere. Since when did Hadley and Eric casually go out

“The director and producers

relaxed but distant.

for just a second. “Okay then…”

his head in a slight nod. “You should go

together, casting one last glance at

she stopped just around the corner, lingering in sight, watching.

frowned. That was it? Eric actually let Linda walk away that easily? But from

this? Was that why he was giving her the

voice broke through her

over her, he mumbled sleepily, “Go take care of the bill for

“Uh… okay.”

“1

focus, and nodded.

Eric muttered, making

completely slack, his weight pressing into her like he was seconds from passing out.

at him, dumbfounded. Was he seriously expecting

20.8%

if that was what it took to get this

slightly and slipping her

shifted, slipping her hand into

She lifted her gaze to him, eyes clear and searching,

chuckle tickled her ear. Eric’s voice came slow and teasing. “Try the inner

The inner pockets?

them, but was he seriously expecting her to dig inside his jacket? That meant getting way too close her hands practically

fingers hesitated midair, irritation flickering

on,” Eric prodded, his tone lazy. “Unless you’d rather let everyone think I skipped

a corner, she sighed and

shifting as

instead of slipping her hand inside, Hadley took a different approach–she unbuttoned his jacket and flipped the front panel open. No unnecessary

pulling out the wallet with a small

in his eyes. Smart

a beat, Hadley took out some cash from his wallet,

back

of

had seen it all. Her expression remained unreadable, but the sharpness

had Eric and Hadley been this at ease with each other? When had things shifted?

and