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

Chapter 500:

For the first time since last night, the warmth between them vanished in an instant.

Eric couldn’t wrap his head around it. Even after everything, Hadley still seemed to keep him at arm’s length.

His brows furrowed as he studied her. “What’s on your mind?”

Hadley blinked up at him. “Why? You upset?”

She paused and then let out a quiet laugh, her tone light but deliberate. “You know, things are kind of perfect the way they are right now.” She leaned back slightly, her lips curving with amusement. “Seeing each other once in a while keeps things interesting. If we moved in together, all that excitement would wear off, and soon enough… we’d just start getting on each other’s nerves.”

“I wouldn’t.” Eric’s response was immediate, firm.

Hadley arched a brow. “Oh? You sure about that?”

Tilting her head, she shot him a knowing look. “Think back, Mr. Flynn. I used to be around you all the time, and if I remember correctly… you hated it.”

there. The past—the version of him who had pushed her away at every

jaw tightened, but Eric couldn’t argue. She wasn’t wrong. He had been reckless with her before,

a moment, silence settled between

his expression, the way

she smirked and casually reached

her hand, and then back to her face. “What are

story starts

grin widened. She gestured toward her plate, eyes flicking up to meet his. “It’s too much—I won’t

sure

a second thought, his body moved on instinct. He took

What could he do?

wrapped around her finger. Everything about her—her tone, her words—was always just right. Not too forceful,

that lingered in his ears

in a way that pushed too far.

We won’t talk about moving in together for now.” Letting out a breath, he leaned back. “But when you’re on break, you’ll stay here. You still need to check out