He smiles. “Very good. I was a bit worried when you stayed in for so long.”
“Did I?” Then I realize he’s right. I didn’t leave the house until Sebastian asked to see me. “Sorry I worried you. I’ll try to do better.”
“No need to apologize.” His eyes are kind as he regards me. “You’ve always done your best.”
An urge to hug him pumps through me, and I give in. As I wrap my arms around him, he stiffens in shock. “Thank you,” I say.
I leave Matthias looking cutely nonplussed and head to the garage. Today seems like a bright red Ferrari kind of day. As I speed past the gates, my phone pings with a call from Yuna.
“Hi, Lucie! Do you have some free time?” she asks.
“Today? Sure. But if it’s about your daughter’s bracelet, you’re better off contacting the L.A. store directly. I’m not at Peery Diamonds anymore.” I try to sound bright and cheery.
“Oh, this isn’t about that. I heard about what happened. I’m so sorry. It’s partly my fault.”
Her fault?“How?” The question comes out more sharply than I intend.
“I should’ve told Eugene to buy some shares in Peery Diamonds. We sometimes do that with our venture partners. But this time, with so many miscommunications, that just fell through the cracks.”
The tension eases. Yuna didn’t betray me. She’s just upset she couldn’t do a better job of protecting me.
“Thanks for that, but I’m fine.” I consider for a second…then decide,why not?“You know what? I’m going shopping right now. You want to join me?”
She squeals a little. “Of course! Shopping is my number one hobby! Where are you going?”
“I honestly have no clue. It’s for a date.”
“With Sebastian?”
“How did you know?”
“I told my father and brother there was no way in hell we were going to do the project without you. But Sebastian said if that were a condition, he wouldn’t be able to convince you of what you meant to him.”
“Which was what, exactly?” It comes out before I can catch myself.
“He’ll just have to show you,” she says slyly. “I’m not going to make his work any easier. The man needs to grovel until you’re satisfied. Anyway, he doesn’t want you to think he needs you back to continue the project. He said he’d rather cancel it altogether.”
I gasp. Sebastian never told me, even though he could have while we were texting earlier. “There’s a steep penalty for pulling out without just cause.”
“I guess winning you back was more important. Besides, ‘asteeppenalty’? It’s just money. He can afford it.” Yuna lets out a diabolical laugh. “He can’t afford to loseyou, though.”
I bite my lip as uncertainty and hope go to war. What would he lose by losingme? I don’t understand what I bring to the table for him.
Yuna adds, “He should pay for hurtingmy friend.”
“You’re going to make me cry.” My voice cracks a little.
“Why?” She sounds genuinely confused. “I’m telling the truth, Lucie.”
“But you hardly know me.”
“I know you’re smart, patient, honest, sweet and generous. You’ve never faked anything with me or my family, especially my kids.”
“But I know who you are. Don’t you ever think I’m using you?” Bianca’s toxic accusation that I used her to make myself feel better rings in my head.
“No. You didn’t yell at Liam when he spilled the milkshake on your dress, and you had no clue who his mom was. Trust me, I know when people want to use me. Most people who approach me want something. Not you. If I don’t become friends with people like you, whocanI be friends with? I’m going to cry if you tell me we can’t be friends.” She adds the last part with a sad sigh.
“We can be friends,” I choke out, half laughing and half crying.
