Claimed By My Billionaire Ex

Chapter 3

OLIVE

His face was priceless, and I couldn't have planned it better. But damn, I hadn't expected how good he was going to look up close.

"Holy shit indeed." I mirrored his expression, feigning my surprise perfectly. Part of being a hacker was being an actor, and they were two things I'd gotten very good at over the years. "What are you doing here?"

He ran a hand through his jet black hair. When he smiled, dimples pressed against his cheek. His bright blue eyes absorbed me. "I was just having lunch."

With the mayor, but of course, he left that out.

"Sorry, this is just insane. What has it been like...ten years?"

I laughed. "A whole decade."

Scratching his chin, he chuckled, and the sound dredged up memories of when we'd dated. It was a similar sound, but his laughter had been lighter back then when he had less of the weight of the world on his back.

True, I knew a little about this Lucas, but I could tell a handful of things just by looking at him. His suit was perfectly tailored, and his haircut was definitely not from a chain mom and pop shop. He had money. And by the gold Rolex on his wrist, I could tell he had a lot of it. It didn't entirely surprise me. Lucas's parents had always pressured him into pursuing a high paying career.

His grin was effortless. "Wow...and I mean wow. You look incredible."

"You're not half bad yourself." For added effort, I gave him a wink. "Love your hair." I didn't attempt to hide the slight hint of sarcasm in my tone.

"Oh, I knew you were going to say that." His laughter shook his shoulders. "Guess I proved you wrong, huh? Didn't lose it after all."

I stood on my tip toes and ruffled the top of his hair the same way I did when we were kids. It was thick and soft, exactly how I remembered it.

"Making sure they're not hair plugs, aren't you?"

My laugh was genuine. He was really always funny, I'd give him that. "I guess you did prove me wrong, Mr. Wilson."

He grabbed his phone and pretended to record me. "Hold on, can I get that on video?"

I rolled my eyes and chuckled. "Oh, shut up. You're right, I'm wrong." Throwing up my arms, I met his gaze. "There, you happy?"

"I'd say so."

His smile was soft, content. I recognized that look. It was the exact same expression he gave me that day nearly ten years ago after Astronomy class. We'd been friends for a few months before then, and even though I was a freshman in college and he was a senior, I loved his company.

I had asked him if all aliens were called martians or only those from Mars. And he had laughed and given me a strange look, like he found my comment amusing, adorable even. He later told me that it was the moment he realized he liked me as more than a friend.

Of course, he wasn't looking at me the same right now—it was just a shadow, my imagination filling in holes from the past. Discomfort stirred in my chest, and just as I was about to break his gaze, he reached out, his fingers grazing my arm. "Hey, what are you doing right now?"

Trying to get you to ask me to the mayor's ball this weekend, and you? I shrugged. "I'm actually off today. I didn't really have any plans."

"Oh, what do you do?"

Try not to get fired from my pathetic service industry job. When I hesitated, he must have noticed my discomfort.

"I'm sorry. Here I am, just bombarding you with questions when what I'm trying to say is...do you want to get a drink."