Page 78 of Fifth Avenue Flirt

I know how to make my way around a bunch of strangers, find out who they are, what they do, how they make money. But this is different. This isn’t business. I haven’t been in many social situations where I’ve not been focused on how I can build my business by building the businesses of the people in the room. That’s what’s made me successful. I’ve always treated every room I’ve walked into as an opportunity. An opportunity to create an empire, brick by brick.

Every time I go to a charity event or a cocktail reception, I get a step further away from those three weeks of living in our car. The three weeks where I didn’t have a home and I had no power to change anything. Every new contact I made, every hand I shook and number I exchanged built a wall between me and my past.

Tonight is different. There’s no wall to build. But I’m not sure what I’m here to do. Why did I agree to come? Why on earth didn’t I just let Avril see her family without me? If I’m honest with myself, it was because I was curious. Curious about her family dynamic. Curious about her.

“I’m Efa,” a woman says with a smile. “You must be Ben. Like my husband.” She nods towards the refrigerator.

Do I spy Ben Fort over there by the refrigerator? It can’t be. I don’t think I’ve ever been introduced to him before.

I shrug. “What can I say? All the best men are called Ben.”

She rolls her eyes, and Avril shoots me a look like I’m the lamest person she ever met. She might be right.

“I haven’t seen you for the longest time,” Avril says, pulling her in for a hug.

“We spent a month at the Club. Bennett actually took some time off. If by ‘time off’ I mean a couple of afternoons skiing.”

“Poppy was saying we should go again,” Avril says. “We always have so much fun there.”

“Impossible not to,” Efa says.

“You ever been to Colorado?” Avril asks me, pulling me into the conversation, which I appreciate, even though I can handle myself. It feels like she’s looking out for me and…that’s not a feeling I’m used to. I’m not used to anyone looking out for me. It’s my job to look out for others and it’s my job to look out for me.

“No, although, I was thinking about making a trip because there’s a private members resort there that’s meant to be⁠—”

“The Colorado Club,” Avril and Efa both chorus.

“That’s where we just came back from,” Efa says. “It’s incredible. You should take him, Avril.”

My gaze slides over to Avril. Is she a member through her brother or something? The place is super-exclusive, and I’m not saying Avril’s not successful, of course she is, but The Colorado Club is a playground for billionaires.

Avril laughs. “I think he can make his own way. If Byron will let him in. Will he be here tonight?”

Efa shakes her head. “No, change of plans. He’s in Star Falls.” She pauses. “So is Jack.”

They both laugh and then Efa gets called away.

“Did I miss the joke?” I ask.

“Have you heard of Jack Alden?”

“Of course. Everyone in New York has heard of the Aldens.”

“Right,” Avril says. “So, Jack is one of Worth’s gang of misfits, and he spends loads of his time in Colorado now, hanging out on a fruit farm. It’s only funny because of all of Worth’s close friends, Jack was the one I would have put money on not losing his heart to a farm girl.”

“Hey, Avril.” Worth comes over and ruffles her hair.

She bats him away and smooths down her hair, clearly irritated, but he just grins at her.

Worth reaches out his hand and we shake. “Good to have you here. I’m glad Avril made contact with you. I was going to reach out. Is there anything you need from me?”

I’m not quite sure what reason Avril has given for me being here tonight, so I’m not sure how to respond.

“Worth, you can leave it to me. I’m dealing with Boston,” Avril says.

“I’m just trying to help,” he says. “But it doesn’t sound like you’ve made much progress, so I’m going to get my lawyer to draw up some paperwork to put an offer in on the Fifth Avenue place.”

“Worth,” Avril says. “Can’t you just wait?”