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.

away, to put some space between herself and

His brow furrowed, annoyance flashing across

her like this, right in front of Linda, like it meant nothing? Did he not care how Linda would take it?

be my problem anyway,” Hadley thought.

face later, he had

expression locking into

voice was smooth,

gesturing toward one of the private rooms. “Our film

elsewhere. Since when did Hadley and Eric

and producers are here too. Want to

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

smile wavered for just a second.

nod. “You should go back and

casting one

really. Instead, she stopped just around the corner,

But from the hesitation in Linda’s eyes, it

Was that why he was giving her the cold

Eric’s voice broke through her

sleepily, “Go take care of the bill for us.

blinked. “Uh…

“1

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

Eric muttered, making no effort to

completely slack, his weight pressing into her like he was seconds

at him, dumbfounded. Was he seriously expecting her to

20.8%

that was what it took to get this over with… fine.

Hadley hesitated before turning slightly and slipping her hand

slipping her hand into the right–still empty.

pockets.” She lifted her gaze to him, eyes

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

The inner pockets?

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

irritation flickering

you’d rather let everyone think I

she sighed

throat shifting as

a different approach–she unbuttoned his

the inner pocket, pulling out the wallet with a small flourish. “Found

out a low hum, amusement flickering in his eyes. Smart move–when she

out some cash from his wallet, and the bill was settled.

wallet back into his

sound of approval and gave

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

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

outside and instantly