“I am not a believer in love. Both of my parents are unbearable; that’s why Ollie and I spend Christmas here. But seeing it on you and Roman gives me a little hope.”
I reach across the table and extend my hand. “Thank you for that.”
Tillie looks down at my hand in disgust. “I know this may sound like a rainbow and sunshine session, but I am not touching your hand and getting the cooties.”
“Give me your fucking hand,” I say between my teeth.
“Alright, fine.” She places her hand in mine. “Tell anyone about this, and you are dead.”
I squeeze her hand. “I promise your image is safe with me.”
Tillie smiles. “I believe it. Now let’s go find a killer dress to upstage the bride at dinner.”
I shrug. “Okay, let’s go.”
ROMAN
I take a sip of my brandy, looking out of my father’s study. Ollie, Liam, and my father are all in full conversation while I am in here looking at the picture of my grandfather hung over my father’s mantle.
Even in death the bastard looks smug. I will never understand why my father keeps his picture here. Maybe it’s a contract that they held between themselves. I don’t know. Speaking of contracts, I think about the contract that will end the day after tomorrow.
Would she stay if I asked her to? Or would she walk away? I wonder if she was feeling the same thing I was. What the hell was I feeling? Lust, possessiveness, happiness. Maybe love. Am I in love? I sound like a broken record in my head. I am definitely in something. I throw the drink back and walk to the cart to pour myself another.
Am I sad that this is all coming to an end? I don’t want it to end. Whatever this is I have with Noelle, this chaotic tangle of emotions, I want it all with her.
I throw back another drink. Suppose, like Tessa, she says that I am just a placeholder. I don’t know if my ego can take that. Shit, I will become a hermit if she says that. But the truth is, I wasalready a hermit, a rich hermit. That’s why I needed an escort in the first place. I had no one in my life that I wanted to share my world with until now.
I pour another drink, and as I am about to sip, my father stands by my side. “Take it easy there, Son. You are knocking those back like a man with problems.”
I grunt, neither confirming nor denying.
“When a man has problems, 99% of the time it’s a woman. You and Elle okay?”
I stare at my dad, and as always, he is that stalwart. That reliable person that always comes through for the family. I feel like I want to confess everything to him. I want to tell him about Noelle and the feelings that I am developing. Just when I am about to open my mouth, Ollie jumps off the chair.
“Tillie texted. They are coming down the stairs now.”
My dad flicks his head at Ollie. “We will be out in a bit.”
Liam frowns and stands. “Okay. Let’s go, Ollie.”
The door clicks as they leave.
“Well.” I hated the tone that came with the word “well.” It’s like, “well, what did you do?”
“Nothing. This night is about Liam. Let’s go.” I empty the contents of the glass and place it on the tray.
I hurry behind Ollie and Liam, avoiding my dad’s gaze.
Just as the three of us hit the stairs, Tillie comes downstairs in a long, light blue silk strapless dress.
As she hits the bottom of the steps, she extends her hand to her twin, who automatically takes it.
“You clean up nice,” Liam teased. “Where is Tessa?”
Tillie shrugs. “She went to the airport to pick up a friend. She will be back in a bit.”
Liam frowns and moves away. His hand digs in his pocket, and he takes out his phone. Through clenched teeth, he was talking over the phone.
