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 space between

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

caught off guard. Was he really that far gone? Holding onto her like this, right in front of Linda, like it meant nothing? Did he not care how Linda would take

my problem anyway,”

face later, he had no one to blame

her head, her expression

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

her mind was elsewhere. Since when did Hadley and Eric

pleasant. “The director and producers are here too. Want to say

distant. “It’s your crew’s event. I wouldn’t want to

Linda’s smile wavered for just a

slight nod. “You should go back and

Linda pressed her lips together, casting one last glance at

she didn’t leave. Not really. Instead, she stopped just around the corner, lingering in

Eric actually let Linda walk away that easily? But from the hesitation in Linda’s eyes, it was obvious–she hadn’t

they argued before this? Was that why he was giving

mind?” Eric’s voice broke

he mumbled sleepily, “Go take care of the

“Uh… okay.”

“1

snapping back into focus, and nodded. “Where’s your

Eric muttered, making no effort

he went completely slack, his weight pressing into her like he

seriously expecting her

20.8%

that was what it took to get this over

hesitated before turning slightly and slipping her hand into

She shifted, slipping her

pockets.” She lifted her gaze to him, eyes clear and

her ear. Eric’s voice came slow

The inner pockets?

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

fingers hesitated midair, irritation flickering across her face.

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

she sighed and moved–both

gaze flickered, his throat shifting as he silently observed.

later, instead of slipping her hand inside, Hadley took a different approach–she unbuttoned his jacket and

the inner pocket, pulling out the

hum, amusement flickering in his eyes. Smart move–when she actually put in the

cash from his wallet, and

as smoothly, she slid the wallet back into his pocket. “All

of approval

it all. Her expression remained unreadable, but the

was this? Since when had Eric and Hadley been this

and instantly