Ruthless Heir (Ruthless Billionaires #5)

Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-One

Harper

The scent of jasmine and freesia soothes me as I stare at the sandstone walls of the relaxation room.

I’m at the Rockwood spa in the Hamptons with Layla. I’m dressed in a fluffy white robe, curled up on the sofa, waiting for Layla to finish her hot stone body massage.

The spa was Layla’s idea of a Monday morning huddle. Because I’ve been feeling so low and drained I didn’t question it or ask whether Asher was really okay with us heading to the spa when we’re supposed to be at work. Especially when I know he probably isn’t.

Being here amongst the calming floral scent and peaceful ambience has been the only thing to calm me in days.

Nearly three weeks have passed since I agreed to this fake dating arrangement between Asher and me. The time has flown by but each day has been hell for me.

Every time we launch into our act I feel like I’ve stepped out of my body and slipped into someone else’s shoes. Then when we’re not acting things feel strange. Like the real world is the fake world.

Every time Asher kisses me I struggle to protect my heart.

At home, when we’re are alone and we don’t need to pretend, I keep expecting him to kiss me or hold me the way he does when we’re around his family.

When he puts up that wall between us we become two passing ships in the night. Little more than strangers. It jars me.

Sometimes I counteract it by staying with Beth. But that has its own problems.

Beth's place tends to be okay for a night or two. No more than that. There was a reason Josh asked Asher if I could stay with him and not Beth.

As much as I love being with her I can't stand the guys she associates with. Years ago I tolerated it but now many of them remind me of Nick.

There's nothing wrong with liking a guy who has a wild streak but there's wild and then there is evil. Nick was the latter.

Being around guys like him made me feel like I was constantly sitting on the edge of my seat in a horror movie. But at times being around Asher was so much worse, thanks to my new crisis. Which I totally blame myself for.

Not only have I agreed to pose as a fake girlfriend for a man I’ve been in love with my whole life, but having him confirm that I’m simply standing in for the real thing has made me feel more foolish than ever.

Today I feel like shit and I shouldn't. I knew where Asher and I stood right from the get-go but I pushed and pushed and pushed and now I can't shake this feeling.

More than anything I can't seem to get his mystery woman out of my head.

And I still don’t know her name.

This isn't the first time I've known about Asher having a love interest. I grew up watching him with one girl after another, wishing I were one of them.

How sad is that? And really, can't I do better?

Is this how I want my life to be? Forever pining for my brother's best friend when he doesn't want me?

Except I keep remembering that first night weeks ago when it felt like he did want me. Before that night I didn’t have anything to hold on to. Asher and I had never gone that far.

I blamed the alcohol because it was easier, but I was within my limit. I think he was too but it doesn’t matter because we’re sticking to the plan .

I just don’t know what’s going to happen to me along the way. Things are already so much harder and I have another two months to go.

The door swings open, cutting into my thoughts.

Layla strolls in looking more refreshed than I’ve ever seen her. She pulls the white fluffy robe she’s wearing close and a relaxed smile floats across her face.

“Wow, you look reinvigorated,” I say, observing the soft glow in her skin and the looseness of her shoulders.

“I feel it.” She giggles and sits next to me, slouching against the wall. “Are you feeling any better?”

“I'm fine.”

“That sounds like the same kind of lie you told me earlier when you said you were okay. The only difference is you swapped out the word okay with fine .” She narrows her eyes and gives me a half smile. “Admittedly, that's why I thought you could use a spa break.”

“So we’re here only because of me?” I can’t hide my humor.

Layla laughs again and mischief sweeps over her face. “Not entirely. Let’s just say I needed a spa break too. We’re just lucky we have a very compassionate boss.”

“Asher knows we’re here?”

“Not entirely,” she repeats with another giggle. “He said we couldn't go shopping. However, he didn't say anything about the spa.”

“Oh my gosh.” I burst out laughing. “You really are a girl after my own heart.”

She raises her hands and flicks her palms over. “That’s exactly what I said about you.”

“Thank you for bringing me here.” Layla has been great and I find it easy to talk to her.

“No worries. Any chance you’ll tell me what's on your mind? It looks like serious shit.”

“It’s just some stuff.”

“Stuff to do with Asher?” She stares back at me, curiosity filling her eyes.

“Yeah. Stuff to do with him.”

Layla bites the inside of her lips. “I have a confession to make.”

“What is it?”

“I know about the arrangement you have with Asher.”

Oh no. God was it something I said?

“Don’t look so worried.” She reaches across and taps my knuckles. “All secrets are safe with me. I’m only coming clean because I’d feel bad sitting here and acting like I don’t know.”

“Oh.” I don’t know what to say. I had no idea that she knew about the arrangement but that’s probably my fault for not asking. And now I feel bad for the lies I told to make Asher and I look more credible.

“Reason number three for coming here was that you looked like you might need to talk away from work. I felt that whatever was on your mind might be to do with him.”

“It’s… complicated. Who else knows about us?”

“To my knowledge, only Hunter. Asher wouldn’t keep something like this from him.”

I don’t think he would keep it from Olga either. The same way I couldn’t keep it from Beth.

“What about Luna?”

“No. I haven’t told her and if Hunter had she would have spoken to me about it by now. Hey, like I said, please don’t worry.” She squeezes my hand again. “Also, me knowing about your arrangement doesn’t take anything away from the truth.”

“What truth?” I thought we were already talking about the truth .

“That you genuinely like Asher.” She keeps her gaze fixed on me. “Look, I know we haven't known each other long but I'm the kind of person you can be real with, so you can talk to me if you need to.”

I press my lips together, instinct wanting to deny her assumption but the desperation in my heart longing to relieve some of the angst living in my soul.

Layla also looks like the kind of person you can’t lie to. Or fool. So I don’t try. “It’s silly right? To like him. It’s like falling for your own act.”

“No. Not really. You seem to have liked him well before the act . Have you spoken to him?”

“No. I can’t do that.” Nervously I fumble with my fingers in my lap.

“Why not?”

I shake my head and relax my shoulders. “I can’t.”

“Haven’t you two known each other for a lifetime?”

“We have but it’s best if I don’t go there. I understand that I’m just helping out. And besides I know there’s someone else he really likes.”

Layla’s eyes widen slightly. “You mean Alexis?”

Alexis.

Is that her name? “He never told me her name. There’s always a steady stream of Asher Le Blanche wannabe girlfriends. She’s probably one of them.”

Layla chuckles. “Alexis is a very good friend of mine. I actually set her up with Asher.”

Oh great. I just put my foot in my mouth. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to sound like a bitch.”

“It’s okay. You weren’t being bitchy. She’s my friend but I get it.”

“She must be nice.”

“She is. And so are you. Just talk to him. You have two more months. I don’t think you want to be in the worry zone that whole time. Do you?”

“Not really?” I’d go crazy.

“Then maybe you should think about it.”

“Okay.” I say that but I know I won’t. The last thing I need is to complicate things more and make myself look like some desperate loser.

“Let’s go get our manicures.”

“Sure.”

We end our pampering session two hours later then head back to the office.

I'm on admin duties for the rest of the day so I'll be working in Layla’s office helping her to organize files.

We're about an hour in when there's a knock on her already opened door. We stop counting the files and turn around to find a stunning woman with long black hair standing in the doorway.

The woman has model features, bright jade-green eyes and a smile that would have photographers lining up to take her picture.

I can usually hold my own in the beauty department but she’s the kind of woman who will make you feel like second best.

“Hey, girl,” she beams at Layla.

“Oh my gosh, Alexis .” Layla glances at me with an awkward smile and silent confirmation in her eyes that that’s the friend we were talking about earlier.

Holy shit. This is the Alexis I was worried about.

I can see exactly why Asher likes her. She's beautiful. There's absolutely nothing not to like. I might as well sign myself off the Asher Le Blanche girlfriend wannabe list because I have no chance.

Layla rushes over to greet Alexis. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

“I was just dropping by. I had an unexpected job offer in the Maldives. I'll be gone for a few days so I wanted to say goodbye.”

“You're such a good friend to me.”

“Right back at ya.” She looks over Layla’s shoulder and smiles at me. “Hey there.”

“Hi,” I reply, forcing a smile and hoping I don’t look as jealous as I feel.

“Where are my manners?” Layla laughs. “Alexis, this is Harper. Harper, Alexis.

“Nice to meet you, Harper,” Alexis says and she looks like she really means that.

“You too.”

“You’re absolutely gorgeous. I have a photographer friend who would love your high cheekbones.” Alexis nods.

My God . I can’t even be a bitch. This woman is beautiful and a nice person. “Thank you. That’s such a nice compliment. You are gorgeous too.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.” Alexis turns back to Layla. “Is Asher around? I have something to give him. We had this running joke the other week.”

Okay, back to hating her now.

“Yeah, he's around. Come I’ll take you to his office?”

“Thanks.” Alexis looks at me again. “Nice meeting you, Harper.”

“You too.” I’m lying now, meeting her has made me feel even worse.

“See you in a minute Harper,” Layla says with a soft smile.

I nod and watch them go.

A minute later that wild streak of mine kicks in and beckons me to follow them. So I do.

I act like I'm going to the water cooler near Asher's office. There I wait. I can't hear them but it's a good spot to observe.

I’m there for about two minutes before Layla comes out of the office. She spots me and heads over.

“Are you okay?” she asks, looking uneasy.

“I’m fine.”

Moments later, Asher and Alexis emerge from the office laughing.

He doesn't see me watching.

They look good together. Their names even go together: Asher and Alexis.

Asher must really like her. He’s a man who’s booked out for weeks on end but he’s dropped everything just like that to hang out with her .

I watch them head toward the elevator and I wonder if this will be what it will feel like in a few months’ time when he picks her to be his wife.

They’ll get married. And I'll be at their wedding watching them take their vows.

Then that will be it.

I’ll lose him forever.