London Love Games

London Love Games A billionaire boss, fake engagement, age gap romance Tracy Adams Tracy Adams Copyright © 2023 by Tracy Adams All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. Contents 1. Chapter 1 2. Chapter 2 3. Chapter 3 4. Chapter 4 5. Chapter 5 6. Chapter 6 7. Chapter 7 8. Chapter 8 9. Chapter 9 10. Chapter 10 11. Chapter 11 12. Chapter 12 13. Chapter 13 14. Chapter 14 15. Chapter 15 16. Chapter 16 17. Chapter 17 18. Chapter 18 19. Chapter 19 20. Chapter 20 21. Chapter 21 The End. Chapter 1 Crystal Clutching the rough hospital blanket around my shoulders, I can’t stop trembling, but it’s not because I’m cold. My nerves won’t let me relax, my anxiety refuses to be tamed, and pacing the confines of the waiting room no longer offers any help. So instead, I wrap myself tighter in the blanket and try not to look as vulnerable as I feel. But I have no clue how much more I’ll be able to endure this waiting. I knew what I was signing up for when I decided to visit Ellie in England just before she was due to give birth, but I never anticipated the sheer weight of my concern. Draining my savings to buy the tickets seemed inconsequential compared to the emotional toll of this moment. Ellie’s childbirth has a way of transporting me back to our childhood when Dad was still alive and Mom behaved as a caring parent should. Over the years, I’ve tried to understand why Alice, our mother, chose to walk away, leaving behind the family she had once been an integral part of. My attempts to comprehend her actions have only been met with cold indifference and silence, making my sleepless nights full of thoughts about what we did wrong, and what we could’ve done differently to make her stay. But deep down, I know that no amount of self-blame or speculation can change the past. Now, all I have left is my older sister and her growing family. And here I am, a lonely girl from Hammondsport—an unmarried woman with no boyfriend and not even a cat to call my own. But I must remain strong for Ellie. No matter what turmoil I’m going through, I’ll always be there for my sister. And since we live in different countries, this is the least I can do—suppress my inner child, the hurt rebel, and pretend I know what I’m doing with my life. “Hey, I wasn’t sure if you’d want one, but you look like you’re in desperate need of a cup of coffee,” says the handsome devil by my side—my sister’s best friend, Adrian Lewis. He hands me a paper cup that smells like cheap coffee and smiles, his dazzling green eyes warming up. Damn, if he wasn’t gay, I’d know what to do with my nerves and how to distract us both. “Thanks, but I don’t drink cheap shit from vending machines,” I sneer without thinking. I don’t even intend to sound snarky, but the mocking tone just flees my lips. Gladly, Adrian is one of those rare people who truly get me. He doesn’t get offended like most men would and laughs instead, putting the cup in my hands anyway. “Sometimes cheap shit helps us more than the expensive stuff,” he says, pushing a stray strand of gold behind his ear before taking a seat by my side. I straighten my posture and push down the nauseating anxiety, not wanting to show how worried I am. “Any news on why Ian hasn’t made it yet?” I ask, my sarcasm fading away for a brief moment. I roll the coffee cup in my hands but don’t drink it. My heart already beats hard enough to seem like I’m having palpitations. Adrian sighs. “Dad’s car broke down on the way here. He’s dealing with it, but he should be here soon. I called his friend, Emmett, to give him a lift.” “Of course, you did,” I reply, rolling my eyes at the thought of the arrogant rich asshole poking his nose in my family’s business. I’ve met him only once, and his self-assured smile was enough to make me hate him. I try not to think about him and meet Adrian’s eyes, yet something wild boils inside me, not letting me keep the next remark to myself. “You know what, I’ve wanted to ask you something. Tell me—what does it feel like to be the big brother of your best friend’s baby? I mean, I’d discuss my sex life with my best friend. Don’t you ever get tired of listening to Ellie talk about your dad’s cock and stuff?” Adrian chortles, leaning back in his seat lazily like he’s unaffected by my mockery. “You know, sometimes I think your sarcasm is your superpower. It’s like you put up this wall to protect yourself from getting hurt.” I raise an eyebrow, masking the surprise that he could see through me so easily. “Well, if sarcasm was a superpower, I’d be a freaking superhero by now. And you, my friend, would be my trustworthy sidekick at making others uncomfortable.” He grins and gives me a knowing nod. “I’d be honored, Crystal. But seriously, we’re all here for Ellie, and everything will be okay. You’ll see.” His reassuring words offer a sliver of comfort, and for a brief moment, I let my guard down, finding solace in our shared concern for my sister. But the longer we remain silent, the more I think about his words. The way Adrian always handles my unapologetic nature ignites another chain of my insecurities. Nobody, aside from Ellie, has been able to see through me this easily. I’m usually my own shield of protection, forever in control of my emotions, smiling and successfully masking any pain I may have. But