I fell back onto my bed and kicked my feet as I squealed. God, I couldn’t wait. No joke. I was excited to see what was in store for me.
I got out of bed and headed to the kitchen with my hair still dripping. My stomach was bitching at me for food. Emma and Luna were busy in the living room doing their thing, and Ryder was digging in the refrigerator, pulling out bread and meat to make a sandwich.
His skin was paler than normal, and he had dark circles under his hazel eyes. Emma dropped her knitting, and Luna looked up from her laptop, both concerned, but he waved them off. Mostly, he seemed tired to me. He was still sexy with his brown hair spilling onto his face. And his outfit was to die for. Ryder paired his black slacks with a short-sleeved button-up shirt with holes all over, almost as if it were crocheted. Hot. Dating a wealthy supermodel sure had its perks.
I sat at our communal table as he made his sandwich.
“Guess what?” I asked.
Ryder eyed me under his thick bangs. “Uhm, you’re suddenly straight.”
I gasped and feigned shock. “Ew. I wouldnever.”
Emma and Luna cracked up, and Ryder cracked a smile. He must not have felt that bad if he was making jokes.
“Well, I give up then.”
“I got the job!”
“You mean with… Cross Corp, right?”
“Yep! Even better? My bosses, Mr. Cross and Mr. Pierce, aredreamy! I haven’t started working yet since I had to give the coffee shop and restaurant my two-week notice, but I got to meet them!” I threaded my fingers together, pressed them against my cheek, and batted my eyelashes, making everyone laugh. “Hugh and Linden are adorable and sexy and… Oh, I cannotwaitto work for them.”
Ryder took a large bite of his sandwich and eyed me. “Don’t fuck them, Atlas. Or if you do, just… be careful.”
“Don’t encourage him,” Emma scolded. “He’s going to lose his job before it even begins.”
“Tsh… You’re no fun, Emma-boo. I’m thekingof being discreet.”
Luna snorted a laugh and shook her head. “Sure you are. About as discreet as an elephant in a china shop.”
I waved a dismissive hand. “Ignore the sourpuss. I’m not going to fuck them, but a boy can dream, right?”
I was totally going to fuck them, but my roommates didn’t need to know that.
“Be careful, Atlas,” Ryder reiterated.
“But of course!”
It was dangerous. It was risky. But any apprehension I had before was long gone. I was dying to be the center of Hugh and Linden’s world.
Elena Stavros was an imposing, five-foot-nothing woman who made a mean spread for dinner. If you want a meal and a month’s worth of leftovers, hang out at my family’s house. She was not only an amazing cook, but she also owned a hairdressing business, so her black hair was always perfect. It wasn’t nearly as curly as mine, but she kept it long and pulled up in a neat bun and away from her face. Mom pulled the spanakopita out from the oven, not a single loose strand of hair to be seen.
The kitchen was rich in Greek spices and meats. I took a deep breath of it when I walked into the kitchen, my stomach growling. Always make sure to starve yourself before coming to my parents’ house because there will be more food than you know what to do with.
The house was noisy as my dad and two brothers watched a football game on the television, yelling at the team. I had no idea who was playing, nor did I care.
When I reached my mother, I kissed her on the cheek. “Hi, Mama.”
She eyed me with black eyes that matched mine. “Atlas, you’re too skinny. You need to bulk up. Who wants a stick for a husband?” Mom wasn’t trying to be mean. That was her love language. She set down the casserole dish onto a hot plate on the counter and patted my face. “You are too handsome to be so thin.”
I rolled my eyes, not bothering to tell her that marriage probably wasn’t in the cards for me. That would only give her a heart attack. And handsome, my ass. “You’re just biased. Youhaveto tell your kids that,” I retorted.
She raised a brow at me, giving me that ‘don’t you dare contradict me’ look. “Are you saying your mama lies to you? Is that what you’re saying? Because you better not be calling me a liar, Atlas Christos Stavros. If you were not handsome, I would simply tell you that you’re smart or something.” Mom grabbedthe large bowl filled with salad and handed it to me. “You are handsome, smart, and talented. Any man would want you, so I do not understand why you’re not married yet. Anyway! Donotargue with me! Now go put that on the table.”
“Mama! I’m only twenty-four!”
“And I was married at twenty-two.”
