Fugitive Millionaire (Fugitive Millionaire Book One) Read Online Free Page A

consequences.
    “Is that a turn off for you? I mean the idea that I might want to pursue success at your dad’s company?”
    Fabian clasps his hands between his legs. “No, but I just didn’t expect you to be all that into corporate culture. I stay far away from that success ladder crap. It’s stifling to the soul.”
    “Some of us don’t have the freedom to jump around pursuing different interests. I feel blessed to have landed a job at CE. I really like my job and my co-workers. Sorry to be a disappointment.”
    Fabian gives her a weird look. She knows she hit him hard with that last bit. She just wants to make a point that he’s judging her choice like his father does to him.
    “Look, you can do what you want for a living, Claire. If CE is your thing, more power to ya.”
    “Yeah, it’s my thing, for now. Hope we can still be friends anyway.”
    “Friends? Is that all you want to be?”
    “Um, I don’t know. We just met. Friends is a good place to start, don’t you think?”
    “Sure. Consider me your close friend now, Claire.”
    “Okay, I will.” There’s a pause in their conversation. Claire thinks she might have rubbed Fabian the wrong way by bringing up the family business. She desires to get back on his good side. “Maybe we should go back inside. You can introduce me to your mom and dad.”
    Fabian shoots her another weird look. Has she stuck her foot in her mouth again? “My parents are happily divorced and estranged. In fact, they go out of their way to avoid each other. Mom spends most of her time at the Connecticut home or at our retreat at Martha’s Vineyard.”
    “Wow. I feel dumb. Nathan mentioned your mom might be here, so I just assumed…”
    “That’s okay. Don’t sweat it.”
    Claire wishes she had taken time to do some research on the Cooper family—too late now. “Are you on good terms with your mom?”
    “Actually, we used to be very close when I was growing up. She’s warm and loving, just like your dad. Unfortunately, the divorce screwed everything up. Mom turned to my sister for support during that time. I guess she assumed that I’d naturally take Gray’s side, but that’s never been the case. Mom and I still talk from time to time.”
    “You see? I’m still learning stuff about you. I didn’t know you had a sister.”
    “Yep. She’s married and lives near mom in Connecticut. She is not on speaking terms with Gray, so he’s lucky I’m even making an effort to stay in his life.”
    “I always wanted a sister. I’m an only child.”
    “Really? I’ll definitely take you to meet, Jocelyn. We call her Josie. I think you two would get along great.”
    “I would love to meet her.”
    Claire stands up. “I want to go in and thank your stepmother for inviting me. It’s the classy thing to do since I’m not even supposed to be here.”
    Fabian reluctantly follows her lead. “You’re way classier than Sloane.”
    Claire takes Fabian’s arm and they slowly head back to the well-lit mansion.
    “How come you don’t like Sloane?”
    “Ugh. I don’t wanna get into that right now. We’re here to enjoy ourselves while raising money for a good cause. At least, with you around it’s easier for me to pretend I’m enjoying all this.”
    Claire remains silent so she can savor every part of this moment. Maybe this party is old hat for Fabian, but to her it’s an amazing experience that she’ll never forget. Despite her desire to hold back, she’s falling fast and hard for Fabian Cooper.
    Claire extends a friendly hand towards Sloane Cooper who quickly corrects her.
    “No, no, darling. You’re supposed to do a greeting like this.”
    Sloane grabs Claire’s upper arms and air kisses her on both sides.
    Claire is slightly embarrassed, but quickly recovers. “Thanks for showing me. I’m new at this.”
    Sloane looks gorgeous in her glittering black gown with the open back. Her diamond and gemstone earrings match her outfit perfectly. A diamond tennis bracelet