Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 231 Heathrow on a Saturday morning was way busier than I expected. Gwen and I got there an hour early, both of us buzzing with anticipation to welcome Zoey, Christian, and Matt, who were finally arriving in London. "That's their flight," Gwen said, pointing at the arrivals board. "They landed twenty minutes ago. I rose onto my toes, searching for my sister in the stream of people spilling out of international arrivals. When I finally spotted her, Matt on her hip while Christian wrestled two giant suitcases, a wave of emotion hit me so hard I almost wobbled.

"Zoey!" I yelled, waving like a maniac. She saw me, and her face lit up despite the obvious exhaustion from the long trip. I rushed to her and hugged her so tight I nearly squished Matt between us. "My little sister," she whispered in my ear, squeezing me close. "I missed you so much." "I missed you too," I said, blinking fast so I wouldn't tear up in the middle of the airport. "Let me see this boy." Matt was bigger than in the last photos Zoey had sent. His curious eyes were taking in everything around him. When she placed him in my arms, a sharp ache of longing punched straight through me.

It wasn't just missing my nephew. It was everything. Home. Family. That warm Verdanian sense of truly belonging somewhere. "Hi, sweetheart," I whispered to Matt, who studied me like he was trying to figure me out. "Aunt Annie missed you so much. He grew a ton," I managed, keeping my voice steady. "And he's getting wilder by the day," Christian said as he hugged me. "Annie, you look great. London is treating you well." "Thanks," I replied, forcing a smile. "How was the trip?" "Too long," Zoey sighed. "Matt cried for three straight hours over the Atlantic.

I think half the passengers hate us now." "But you made it, that's what counts," Gwen said, hugging Christian. "Welcome to London!" On the drive from the airport, I tried to focus on the chatter about the trip, the plans for the next few days, the Kensington meeting happening next week. But I kept catching Zoey watching me through the rearview mirror. Her sharp eyes noticed everything I didn't want to say out loud. "You're quieter than usual," she said when we stopped at a red light. "Are you okay?" "Of course," I replied quickly.

But Zoey knew me too well to buy that. When Gwen mentioned we were heading to Nate's place for a welcome brunch, my stomach tightened. I knew it was inevitable. Nate was Christian's best friend, of course he'd host something for them. But the thought of being in his house, in his personal space, made me nervous in

out front, my breath went shallow. "Wow, what a beautiful house," Zoey said as she shifted

like an old friend, and when his eyes finally met mine, there was a flicker of something sharp before he smoothed it over. "Annie," he said, giving me a polite hug. "I'm glad you came." || Of course I came. My sister and brother-in-law were here. I think he realized the slip the moment the words left his mouth. "Thanks for having us," I managed, trying to ignore how the familiar scent of him hit me straight in the chest. The house

coffee that smelled like heaven. It was the kind of home owned by a man who was successful and steady. A man who knew exactly who he was. And there I was, pretending I didn't know the owner of that house far too well. Pretending I had never wondered what it would feel like to wake

their latest trips. But it was hard to concentrate when I could feel Nate moving around his own house with effortless ease. Like nothing had ever happened between us. Like I was just another guest. "Annie," Zoey said as she walked over, lowering her voice while the others argued about soccer. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" My heart