“Okay, Kerry, thank you so much. I’ll be back in the training room in about thirty minutes. I have to finish up a couple of things and check in with my sister here.”
“Sounds good.” Kerry waves at me before walking out.
My sister makes her way over to the couch and sits next to me.
“So, little sister, what are you doing down here, in the dungeon?” she asks with a smirk on her face.
“Nothing. I just finished lunch with Sera, and I wanted to come and see what you were up to.” I turn toward her and prop my arm along the back of the couch.
She hums. “That’s why you came down here? To see what I was up to?”
“Yes. Am I not allowed to do that?” I ask, shaking my head. I know she’s on to me.
“Oh, you can. It’s just not typical for you to come down here at this time of day to come chit-chat with me. You usually have your head shoved in your spreadsheets for most of the day, outside of having lunch with Sera.” She laughs.
“That’s not true. I come down here and see you all the time. Come on, Presley.” I give her a pleading look. I don’t want her to make me say it.
“I’m just giving you a hard time. So, you came to see me and talk about what?” She smirks.
“Nothing, jeez. I just came to see what you were up to and how your day was going.”
“Aliette Grant, don’t bullshit a bullshitter. I know why you’re down here.”
I try to act indifferent.
“Alie”—she places her arm on my arm—“if you’re worried about what I think, or Aaron, or whoever else … don’t. You have to do what’s best for you. And Sera. Yes, I think the guy is a complete dick for what he did to you, but when I was working with him, I realized he was insanely charming. I get it; I see the appeal.”
“What are you talking about? You, of all people, think he’s Satan's spawn.”
“That’s kind of true. If he was Satan’s spawn, that would make Sera the granddaughter of Satan. What I think of Liam is … not what I was expecting him to be.”
“What do you mean?”
“It pains me to say this, but I can understand why you would want to see him. I wanted to tear into him so bad about why he wanted nothing to do with Seraphina, but I’m honoring your wishes and not bringing it up. That said, he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who would … ” She drifts off, as if cautious about her words.
“What are you getting at?”
“I’m just saying that it’s okay if you want to see him. That’s all.”
“I don’t wanna see him,” I say too quickly.
“Alie, he’s the father of your daughter. Of course you want to see him. You have no choice, really. It’s okay to do this on your own terms though. And it’s natural to be curious about him. Plus, he is quite nice to look at.” She tries to bite back her smile.
“Is that right?” I tilt my head and give her ano shitlook. “Yes, well … I mean, I didn’t come down here specifically to see him. I did come down here to see you, but if I happened to see him in the weight room, I would not have been upset about it.”
“I see. You just wanted to see him lift weights?”
“Right. I need to make sure we made a sound investment decision.”
“Ha! Okay, and were you curious about how much he could bench, or were you hoping to see him all sweaty and manly-looking?”
“Sweaty? Gross.” Okay, maybe not gross. “Just … you know what? Forget it. It’s fine. I’m gonna go. I’m going back to my office.” I stand and walk to the door.
“Don’t leave.” She laughs. “I’m just playing with you. I know he’s still here, but if he’s not in the weight room, he’s probably cleaning up for the day. He’s been in the gym for a couple of hours already so they could test his sweat and get some readings on him. If he’s done with that, he’s probably getting ready to leave soon, I would think.”
“Right. Okay, well, I’m just gonna go, then.” I point my thumb over my shoulder. “I’m gonna go up to my office.”
“You go do that.” She smiles as she stands.
