Luca laughs, nodding. “I still can’t believe how well she handled him. I’d kill to have an assistant like that.”
Killian chimes in with that annoyingly playful tone, “Besides, no woman can resist a ring. Put a rock on her finger,now.”
I snort. “You clearly don’t know Lauren well enough.” I can already picture her reaction—probably telling me I could save twenty villages with the price of the ring or that the diamond was mined from some sacred land I’ve never heard of.
“Butyouknow her,” Luca counters, giving me a nudge. “Do whatever you have to, but don’t let her slip away,again.” He pauses for dramatic effect, swirling his drink like a villain. “And let’s be honest—it wouldn’t hurt the company to have its CEO looking like afamily man.”
He winks and chuckles into his whiskey glass, while my other brothers nod along like they’ve solved the mysteries of the universe.
When Lauren’s laughter fades from the hall, I make my move. I stand from the table, casually excusing myself with some weak bathroom excuse, though I know my brothers see right through it. I knock on her door three times and wait, knowing full well that it’s late, but there’s no way I’m ending the night without seeing her.
She opens the door, wearing the same pajamas from the day before. And apparently, my body doesn’t give a damn about what she’s wearing because every time I’m near her, it’s like my mind goes blank and my body takes over.
“Do you have more questions for me?” I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. Anything to stay longer, to have some time alone with her.
Lauren taps her index finger against her cheek, pretending to think. She’s soadorablethat I have to roll my eyes and look away before I do something stupid—like tackle her onto the bed like a caveman.
“Yes, actually,” she says, grinning. “Do you want to come in?”
“More than anything,” I mutter under my breath.
She moves to the center of her room, settling into an armchair by the window, and I close the door behind me. I sit at the foot of her bed, feeling like an impatient kid waiting for his turn to speak. But all I really want to do isact.
“How’s your family?” I ask, picking up the dress she wore earlier, neatly folded on the bed. For a moment, images of her undressing flash through my mind, but I push them aside before they cause anyrealtrouble.
“They’re fine. Thanks for asking.” Lauren tucks her feet up onto the chair, hugging her knees to her chest. There’s a look in her eyes that tells me she has more questions ready, and I brace myself, placing both hands on the mattress.
“What do you hate most in life?” she asks, her voice soft but curious.
Myself.The answer comes to mind instantly, but I don’t say that. Instead, I smirk and say, “People.”
Lauren laughs, assuming I’m joking. I search quickly for something less grim to follow it up with. “Besides ...”
“I don’t have time to hate.”
She raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “That’s deeper than I expected. What was your favorite class in school?”
“That’s easy. English. It was pretty simple to pass.” And it was the only class I shared withyou, I think, but I don’t say.
“Who was your best friend?”
I shake my head. “None of the ones you’re thinking of. If they were, I’d still be in touch. The closest thing to a friend I’ve got now is Luca. Who’s your best friend?” I ask, turning the question on her.
“Emma. She always has been,” she replies without hesitation.
I nod, thinking it over.
“How many times has your heart been broken?” she asks.
I answer without thinking. “Once.”
“By whom?” Lauren’s gaze sharpens, clearly intrigued.
“It doesn’t matter,” I say quickly. “Same question—has your heart been broken?”
She rests her chin on her knees, staring off into space. “Not yet,” she murmurs, her gaze distant, as if she’s getting lost in her own thoughts. “Do you ever feel lonely?”
All the damn time.But I give a more measured response. “Sometimes, but it’s not always a bad thing. When there’s no one filling the space, being alone is better.”
