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.

kicked in–she tried to pull away, to put some space between herself and Eric.

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 care how Linda would take it?

be my problem anyway,”

his face later, he

her head, her expression locking

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

hesitated before gesturing toward one of the private rooms. “Our film crew is having a get–together.”

Since when did Hadley and

and producers are here too. Want to

smile was relaxed but distant. “It’s your crew’s event. I wouldn’t want

Linda’s smile wavered for just a second.

in a slight nod. “You

lips together, casting one last glance

Not really. Instead, she stopped just around the corner, lingering in sight, watching.

That was it? Eric actually let Linda walk away that easily? But from the hesitation in Linda’s eyes, it

argued before this? Was that why he was

Eric’s voice broke through her thoughts.

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

blinked. “Uh…

“1

blinked, snapping back into focus, and

making no effort

pressing into her like he was seconds from passing out.

dumbfounded. Was he seriously expecting her to

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took to get this

Hadley hesitated before turning slightly and slipping her hand into his suit pocket.

She shifted, slipping her

She lifted her

amused chuckle tickled her ear. Eric’s voice came slow and

The inner pockets?

her to dig inside his jacket? That meant getting way too close her hands practically brushing

hesitated midair, irritation flickering across

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

into a corner, she sighed and moved–both

flickered, his throat shifting

instead of slipping her hand inside, Hadley took a different approach–she unbuttoned

fingers dipped into the inner pocket, pulling out the wallet with a

in his eyes. Smart move–when she actually put in the effort.

cash from his wallet, and the bill

back into his pocket. “All

made a quiet sound of approval and gave a slow nod.

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

when had Eric and Hadley been this at ease with each

stepped outside and