Bet On It: An Age Gap Billionaire Office Romance(53)

I hadn't had the courage to face Reed, either. It wasn’t just that I didn’t have the bravery to challenge my performance report to Reed. It was that I couldn’t even face him. And of course, I still hadn't told Betts about Paul. Instead, I was buried in my work by day and letting Bo distract me in the evening.

I had to admit it was fun spending time with him. He was like an eight-year-old in a grown man's body. The guy could see fun in just about anything. His spontaneity and mischievous streak made life interesting. I'd even gone to another hockey game, this time sitting in the section reserved for wives and girlfriends. I had gotten over feeling like I was betraying Reed by hanging out with Bo, but going to one with Bo did feel a little bit wrong.

Tonight's activity was go-karting, another thing I had never done before. It wasn't something that had necessarily appealed to me, but like most things I had done with Bo, when they were over, I had to admit I’d had a good time.

When I arrived home after my fake date with Bo, I found Betts and Paul in full-blown wedding planning mode. I tried to go straight to my room with a quick goodnight to them, but Betts pulled me in. She wanted my opinion as her maid of honor.

I glanced at Paul, who smirked at me. Why couldn't I tell her what a sleazeball he was?

"This is your wedding, Betts. Whatever you want is going to be fine with me." I tried again to get away.

"You're the best, Analyn. But since this involves you, I'd love your feedback." She’d just pulled up some flowers when her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID. "It's a video call from my mom." She poked the button. "Hey, Mom, we're right in the middle of wedding plans."

"Then I called at the right time. Tell me all about it."

It was clear that Betts was going to continue with the call. So, I escaped into the kitchen to get a glass of water. I couldn't let this go on much longer. I shouldn't have let it go on as long as it had.

"I see you’re putting out for the Las Vegas hockey star."

I tensed at Paul's voice.

"You know, men like that are all shine and no substance. You don't know what you're missing with me."

I whirled around on him. "You have no substance either, Paul. You're an idiot for doing this."

"Oh, come on. I know you want this. That's why you haven't told Betts."

"I haven't told Betts because I don't want to break her heart. But every time I see your smarmy face, my courage increases." I pushed past him, and as I did, his hand grabbed my ass.

I whirled around and ended up against him.

"I like it when they play hard to get."

The door opened, and Betts came into the kitchen, stopping short when she saw me and Paul. Paul quickly pulled his hand back, and I jumped away from him, shuddering at having been so close to him.

"What's going on?" Betts asked, her gaze going between me and Paul.

"It's nothing. We're just joking around. Isn’t that right, Analyn?"

It was time to spill the beans. I was so angry at Paul but also at myself. "No, that's not right. Paul propositioned me, and just now, he was telling me what I was missing by not sleeping with him." I let out a breath, relief filling me at having finally gotten it out and at the same time fear that Betts wouldn't believe me.

Betts's jaw dropped. "What?"

Paul went to her, putting his hands on her shoulders. "That's not true, Betts. I would never do that to you. Analyn just misunderstood. You know what a jokester I am."

I studied her for a moment, trying to decide who she would believe.

"I have no reason to make something like that up, Betts. You deserve better than Paul."

Tears streamed down Betts's face. “I don't know which of you to believe."

I searched my brain for something I could say that would have her believe me. I understood that she loved Paul, and this had to be hard to hear. But what reason would I have to lie about this? None.

"I can't believe the two people that I love and trust most in the world have betrayed me." She turned and rushed out of the kitchen.

"I’m not going to let you ruin things for me," Paul said to me as he went after Betts.

I stood in the middle of the kitchen feeling truly alone now. I was going to go to my bedroom, but I heard Betts and Paul in the other room and didn't want to have to see either of them. I quietly made my way to the front door, grabbing my purse and coat and heading out.

I had a sense of déjà vu, but at least this time I wasn't in my pajamas. I also wouldn't be going to Reed’s house, although deep down, I really wanted to.

He'd been so supportive of the situation before, but now he was distant, simmering with unexpressed anger. Anger toward me because he felt I'd been using him. His accusations refueled my anger toward him. That he could possibly believe that I was using sex to soften him up to get what I wanted at work. His logic made no sense considering every time we had sex, I told him how wrong it was and how important my reputation at work was to me. Somehow, he had turned it into my playing some sort of twisted game.

I went to my car deciding I would go to a hotel. It wouldn't be a fancy one, but my job paid well enough that I could afford something decent. Maybe I would spend the evening looking for a place of my own since it was possible Betts was going to kick me out. Then again, I also had to consider that I was on the verge of being fired. My life had become such a mess.