The Billionaire's Favourite Mistake: Billionaires and Bridesmaids 4 by Jessica Clare

Once the women had left, Stijn’s calculating gaze returned to Asher. “I’m sorry, but I’m confused. What exactly did you say that I did for you?”
    This was damned odd. How could the man not remember giving him five million dollars? “I was having some financial trouble last year and you gave me an endowment to bail my company out.” When the man’s face showed not a flicker of recognition, Asher began to wonder if he’d somehow gotten the information wrong. The letter he’d received had come from Dutchman letterhead, though. There was no mistaking the company’s rather lewd logo of a woman with legs spread over the M in Dutchman.
    “I do not recall this,” Stijn said slowly. “What was the amount?”
    “Five million.”
    The elder man’s eyes narrowed at him. “I would know if I gave five million out to a young upstart company.”
    His distaste for the man grew, and Asher had to fight to keep the friendly smile on his face. “Nevertheless, I wanted to thank you personally and let you know I was willing to do the same for you.”
    That got a reaction from him. Stijn’s pale eyes flickered with interest. He glanced around at the partygoers to make sure no one was close by, and then leaned in. “What is it you think you know about me?” The man’s accent grew heavier.
    “I imagine since we both received the
Prospectus
award, that you need it for the same reasons I did.”
    Stijn’s nostrils flared. “This is not a good place to talk. But I am interested in your proposition. Shall we meet tomorrow?” He reached into a pocket and pulled out a business card, handing it to Asher.
    He took it, slightly mystified as Stijn nodded at him and then abruptly left, off to greet another man in a tuxedo. Immediately, the three Easter-egg-colored girlfriends flocked close once more, though one kept shooting him longing looks. Well, that was damned odd. Asher tucked the card into his pocket. It was almost as if the man had no idea what Asher was talking about—
    Oh, fuck.
    Gretchen’s voice wafted through his mind. S
he’s carried a torch for you since, like, grade school.
    Greer.
    Stijn’s only daughter. Other than an employee of the company, she would be the only one with access to Dutchman letterhead. The money hadn’t come from Stijn after all. It had come from his daughter, who had ample money of her own sitting in multiple trust fund accounts from both parents.
    Asher wiped his mouth dry, shocked.
    He was such an idiot. He’d never questioned why Greer’s father’s company—a fucking titty magazine—would send a telecom company five million dollars to help him out. He’d just been awash in his own misery, his life falling to pieces around him, and hadn’t stopped to ask questions. He’d taken the money and righted his sinking ship and never questioned the gift.
    Greer had never said a thing.
    And how had he repaid her? A drunk fuck in the gardens. No wonder she wouldn’t return his calls. He’d hurt her feelings and destroyed their friendship, and until this very moment, he’d had no idea just how much the friendship meant to him. Until they were gone, he hadn’t realized how much their lunches had been such an important part of his week. He’d always thought of Greer as sweet and pleasant to be around, and he liked her as a person. She was quiet, but smart and quick. She’d always made him think, and her observations had made him smile many a time.
    Now that he knew what she’d done for him, his affection had grown only deeper. Now that she was no longer in his life? He missed her with a strange ache that he had no idea how to fill.
    He had billions now, thanks to her help. It wasn’t the amount of money that humbled him—though that was pretty fucking impressive on its own—it was that she trusted in him enough to fork it out, no questions asked. Greer had been such a true friend to him in his time of need.
    It only reinforced his need to find her. She had to be at the party tonight.