Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You Can't Afford Me by Thedora Birnir

Chapter 82 No Slipping Away Again

“Eric!”

Hadley staggered as the man crashed into her, his weight throwing her off balance.

“What the hell happened to you?”

Not that she needed an answer. The sharp sting of alcohol clung to him, thick and undeniable.

“You're wasted, aren't you?”

“Mmm... not even close.”

Drunk people always said that. Even as he swayed, barely upright, Eric refused to admit it.

He'd drained almost an entire bottle of wine by himself. Hadley hadn't even taken a sip. If he wasn’t drunk, then

what was this about?

Hadley hitched his arm over her shoulder, bracing herself under his weight. “Can you even walk?” “Mm-hmm.”

Eric bobbed his head but made no effort to move. “Just hold onto me, and I've got it.”

She exhaled sharply.

Letting him go wasn’t an option- he'd probably topple like a sack of bricks.

“Fine. I'll help. But take it slow.”

“Alright.” His gaze drifted, landing on the delicate sweep of her lashes. Long and curled, they cast soft shadows

over her cheeks with every slow blink.

Each flutter sent a strange sensation through him, like they weren't just brushing against her skin-but against

something deep inside him, stirring it awake.

“Eric?”

A familiar voice rang out as they stepped out of the private room. Hadley turned to find Linda standing a few

steps away.

“Linda,” Eric greeted, still draped over Hadley like he had every right to be there. His arm hung loosely around

her shoulders, and from an outsiders perspective, it probably looked more like an embrace than her struggling

to keep him upright.

“What's going on with you two?”

Linda’s steps quickened as her gaze darted between them, her eyes widening.

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Chapter 82 No Slipping Away Again

Had she seen that right? Why were Eric and Hadley even together in a restaurant?

And why did they look so... close?

Hadley stiffened, hyper-aware of Linda’s gaze drilling into her.

Instinct kicked in-she tried to pull away, to put sspace between herself and Eric.

But his grip tightened. “What are you doing?” His brow furrowed, annoyance flashing across his face. “Quit

squirming. You'll makefall.”

Hadley stilled, caught off guard. Was he really that far gone? Holding onto her like this, right in front of Linda, like

it meant nothing? Did he not care how Linda would take it?

“Fine. Won't be my problem anyway,” Hadley thought.

If this blew up in his face later, he had no one to blbut himself.

Hadley turned her head, her expression locking into something unreadable.

Eric, apparently satisfied, turned his attention back to Linda. His voice was smooth, effortless. “Hadley and I just

grabbed dinner. What about you?”

Linda hesitated before gesturing toward one of the private rooms. “Our film crew is having a get-together.”

But her mind was elsewhere. Since when did Hadley and Eric casually go out to dinner?

Still, she kept her expression pleasant. “The director and producers are here too. Want to say hello?”

“No need for that.” Eric's smile was relaxed but distant. “It’s your crew’s event. | wouldn't want to intrude.”

“Oh... alright.” Linda's smile wavered for just a second. “Okay then...”

Eric dipped his head in a slight nod. “You should go back and join them.”

“Alright.” Linda pressed her lips together, casting one last glance at Hadley before turning away.

But she didn’t leave. Not really. Instead, she stopped just around the corner, lingering in sight, watching.

Hadley frowned. That was it? Eric actually let Linda walk away that easily? But from the hesitation in Linda’s

eyes, it was obvious-she hadn't wanted to go.

Had they argued before this? Was that why he was giving her the cold shoulder?

“What's on your mind?” Eric’s voice broke through her thoughts.

Still draped over her, he mumbled sleepily, “Go take care of the bill for us.

Hadley blinked. “Uh... okay.”

“1

Hadley blinked, snapping back into focus, and nodded. “Where's your wallet?”

“In my pocket,” Eric muttered, making no effort to move.

Then he went completely slack, his weight pressing into her like he was seconds from passing out.

She stared at him, dumbfounded. Was he seriously expecting her to dig through his pockets?

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Unbelievable! But if that was what it took to get this over with... fine.

Biting her lip, Hadley hesitated before turning slightly and slipping her hand into his suit pocket.

Left side-nothing. She shifted, slipping her hand into the right-still empty.

“It’s not in your pockets.” She lifted her gaze to him, eyes clear and searching,

A low, amused chuckle tickled her ear. Eric's voice cslow and teasing. “Try the inner pockets.”

The inner pockets?

Hadley knew suits had them, but was he seriously expecting her to dig inside his jacket? That meant getting way

too close her hands practically brushing against his chest.

Her fingers hesitated midair, irritation flickering across her face.

“Con,” Eric prodded, his tone lazy. “Unless you'd rather let everyone think | skipped out on the bill?”

Backed into a corner, she sighed and moved-both hands at once.

Eric's gaze flickered, his throat shifting as he silently observed.

Moments later, instead of slipping her hand inside, Hadley took a different approach-she unbuttoned his jacket

and flipped the front panel open. No unnecessary contact required.

Her fingers dipped into the inner pocket, pulling out the wallet with a small flourish. “Found it.”

Eric let out a low hum, amusement flickering in his eyes. Smart move-when she actually put in the effort.

Without missing a beat, Hadley took out scash from his wallet, and the bill was settled.

Just as smoothly, she slid the wallet back into his pocket. “All done. Let's go.”

“Hmm.” Eric made a quiet sound of approval and gave a slow nod.

Not far away, shrouded in shadow, Linda had seen it all. Her expression remained unreadable, but the sharpness

in her gaze spoke volumes.

What was this? Since when had Eric and Hadley been this at ease with each other? When had things shifted?

Hadley stepped outside and instantly froze.

“Sebastian’s gone?”

Her head snapped toward Eric, eyes narrowing. “You're drunk. You can’t drive.”

So now what? Were they supposed to just walk home?

Eric, completely unbothered, lifted a brow, clearly amused by her frustration.

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“Calm down. You didn’t drink, right? You'll drive us.”

He still remembered—before she left the country, she had earned her license in Srixby. She had clung to him

under the excuse of “practice,” using every opportunity she could find to make him teach her.

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Chapter 82 No Slipping Away Again

Without hesitation, he tossed her the keys.

“Not a chance! I'm not driving!”

She caught them on reflex, but her protest was ignored-Eric had already slid into the passenger seat, making

himself comfortable.

Annoyance bubbled in her chest, but there was no way around it. Fine, She'd drive.

Gripping the wheel with both hands, Hadley swallowed hard.

Sure, she had a driver's license-but she hadn’t been behind the wheel in years.

“Chill.” Eric chuckled, leaning over to click her seatbelt into place. “Take it slow. No need to rush.”

Hadley let out a slow breath, gripping the wheel a little tighter.

She shot him a sideways glance. “If | drive you home, will you letgo back to Galant?”

Even now, she hadn't forgotten why she cto find him tonight.

Eric leaned back, his expression giving nothing away. “Just drive first,” he said smoothly. “I don’t like having

conversations in the car.”

Her jaw tightened. Of course.

Because with Eric Flynn, everything always had to be on his terms.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“The family estate.”

“On it.”

Hadley leaned forward, pulling up the GPS. She traced the route in her mind before glancing at him. “Keep an

eye on the road. If | miss a turn, letknow.”

“Yeah, yeah. Just drive.”

The car eased forward, gliding into the night.

Eric's lips curled slightly. Perfect. Now that she was heading hwith him, there was no way he was letting her

slip away again.

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