She Was Never Just the Billionaire’s Wife (Natasha and Chase) novel Chapter 157

(Julian)

I find Piper at the rooftop bar of her hotel with her laptop open and a glass of something pale that she’s treating as decorative rather than drinking it.

Typical.

"Julian."

"Sister. Move your bag."

"I’m working."

"You’re scrolling. Move your bag."

She moves her bag and I sit down.

The waiter, who knows me, brings me a Negroni without being asked.

I love this hotel.

"To what do I owe the displeasure?"

"I've come to share my latest mortification with you. It seemed only fair, given how much joy you take in them."

She closes the laptop slightly, which is the closest thing to interest Piper offers in public.

"Go on."

"You know the Morton family secret. The one our dear step-mother does not discuss. Her long-lost daughter."

"Obviously."

"Well. I’ve been flirting with her for months."

Piper looks at me.

For several seconds she just looks at me with the flat appraising look she’s been giving me since we were children.

The one that means she’s deciding whether to scream at me, or make fun of me.

She decides to laugh.

She laughs for what feels like an unreasonable amount of time.

The waiter glances over and pretends he hasn’t when I catch him.

"Julian."

"Yes."

"You’ve been flirting with our step-sister?"

"Yes. But it’s not weird since we didn’t grow up together."

"For months?"

"Yes."

"Did you sleep with her?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Piper. I haven’t, but it’s not for lack of trying on my part."

"I'm just checking. You’re not always entirely clean on this point. You lead a debaucherous life."

"I am very sure this time. Natasha keeps turning me down."

Her eyes widen a fraction, but she refuses to admit she’s surprised.

She sips her drink.

The amusement doesn’t leave her face, but underneath it I can see her brain looking for a way to turn this to her advantage.

"How long have you known?" she asks.

"Christmas."

She lowers the glass.

"That was months ago."

"That party at the Warren Estate. I knew it the moment she came down the stairs. You were a bit distracted that night if I remember correctly."

She flushes and refuses to acknowledge what I just said.

She always clams up this way when Gloria comes up.

She sets the drink down.

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