Romance: The Billionaire's Choice - Contemporary Romance (Romance, Contemporary Romance Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

What happened this weekend?” she asked.
     
    Andrew followed them into the kitchen and sat down at the sprawling glass table in front of the window. “Well, it wasn’t great,” he said. “Honestly, the whole weekend was kind of a nightmare. We were so uncomfortable around each other. It was like we had never even met before.”
     
    “Oh,” Beth groaned. “The poor girl. Why did you even put her through that?”
     
    “I didn’t want to put her through anything. I guess I just didn’t know what to do. Somehow I just thought that it would be like old times,” he said.
     
    “Come on, man,” David said. “You already admitted before the trip that you have outgrown her.”
     
    “Hey now,” Andrew said. “I don’t think that is quite what I said.”
     
    “Well, more or less,” Beth chimed in. “I know you two were great friends and you have an important history together but what do you really have in common now?”
     
    Andrew shrugged. “I guess that’s the problem. I honestly don’t know. She’s there in the city with her cramped little apartment and these big dreams of becoming a designer. I guess that was endearing when we were 20 years old but I just can’t relate to it anymore. It’s like our lifestyles are the complete opposite,” he said.
     
    Beth nodded. “Yeah, she’s a great girl,” she said. “But she is just living in a totally different world. It’s cool that she is into the whole art and fashion scene but that’s just not you. Especially if you want to move forward with this charity.”
     
    “I know. I do think her line is really taking off but I don’t see how she’d fit in with everything. I can’t imagine taking her to a fundraiser with a bunch of women who have never worked a day in their lives. She just doesn’t relate to that,” he said. “I guess part of me hopes that we will be able to reconnect but I just don’t feel anything between us right now. There is just a complete disconnect every time that we talk.”
     
    “Don’t beat yourself up about it,” David said. “You are just at totally different places.”
     
    “Yeah,” he replied. “I guess I have known that for a long time. And, for a long time, it wasn’t that big of a deal but then when she wanted to take things to the next level-”
     
    “Really, I think that you made the right choice,” Beth said. “It’s not fair to lead her on. Maybe later on down the line when she has met a new guy and isn’t so focused on this fashion thing, you can become friends again.”
     
    “Agreed,” David said. “It’d be great if we could all stay connected with our childhood friends but that just isn’t life. There’s no reason to beat a dead horse.”
     
    Andrew shrugged.
     
    David walked over to the table and set down a glass of scotch in front of him. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s relax. This should be a time of celebration for you. You are closing the book on your old life and moving on.”
     
    Beth grabbed another glass from off of the counter and joined them at the table. “Really, Andy, we are so proud of you,” she said. “You’re really getting things on track. Your parents would be so proud.”
     
    Andrew looked over at her and smiled.
     
    “So, here’s to new beginnings,” David said as he lifted his glass in the air.
     
    Beth and Andrew leaned forward to touch their glasses to his.
     
    “Cheers,” they said in unison.
     

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
     
     
    Isabel ran down the stairs and into her studio. She tossed her bag down beside her desk and sat down. She opened up a massive portfolio labeled designs .
     
    “Hey, Isabel,” Cara said. “What are you doing here?”
     
    “Well, I’m working,” she replied.
     
    Cara sighed. “Come on. You really don’t need to be here today,” she said. “Why don’t you go home?”
     
    Isabel stared over at her blankly. “Why would I go home?” she asked.
     
    Cara could feel the tension in the air. “You mentioned that