She didn’t lose consciousness, though. She lay there, panting, shock running through her now that the immediate crisis was over. In the distance, her horse whinnied, its footsteps growing farther away as it raced hopefully back home to the barn.
Well, hell. Maybe she’d spoken too soon about that stupid curse.
Chapter 13
Gabe didn’t have to knock on the front door. It flung open when he raised his fist. Simultaneous fear and pleasure hit himas he took in tiny, beaming Livvy standing there.
“Gabe!” She embraced him, and he returned the hug, giving her a little extra squeeze. “If it isn’t my favorite boss.”
He closed his eyes and summoned every ounce of his acting ability, relief making him dizzy. On the ride up, he’d imagined all the worst case scenarios, and they revolved around Eve spilling the beans while he was gone.He’s your half-brother, Livvy and Jackson. No, I don’t know any of the details. More tea?
But that was unfair, and not really Eve’s style, or at least not the Eve he thought he knew. When Livvy stepped away, he hoped his smile was as easy and relaxed as ever. He was Livvy’s boss, and her friend, and nothing more. “Why are you out of breath?”
“I was trying to beat the butler.”
He nodded like that was a normal explanation. He was sure in Livvy’s head it was normal. “Congratulations, kid. You look fantastic.”
She smiled. She was pretty and adorable, her smart mouth one of the best things about her. She took after her Japanese American mother and was small in stature, though not in presence. Her hair had been freshly dyed for her upcoming wedding, natural black peeking through strands of opalescent blue and pink and lavender. The light danced on the iridescent colors when she turned her head.
She didn’t look sick at all. She was practically glowing, her skin tawny and tanned. If he spent enough time in the sun, he turned exactly this shade of brown.
“Thank you, thank you. It’s because I’m the bride, obvs. We get a little extra glow.”
“You certainly do.”
“Come on in!” She stepped aside and held out her hand. “Can I take your bag?”
He hefted his duffel over his shoulder and gave her a mock glare. The bag was almost empty. He’d only brought his electronics and a change of clothes to and from his home last night. “No. I’m a man. I can’t let you, a mere lady, take my bag for me.”
“Oh, that’s good, because my fragile lady muscles would probably splinter into a million pieces,” she said cheerfully. “You can leave it here, though. The help Nicholas hired will handle it.”
She said the wordhelpdisdainfully, and after he parked his bag in the foyer, he tugged her hair. “You used to have help, remember?” he asked lightly. His parents, for one.
“Yeah, yeah, but it’s been a while.”
“Better get used to it,” he said. “You’re marrying a Chandler. I can’t imagine Chandlers don’t have help.”
“Nicholas seems to do fine on his own.” She lifted a shoulder, and there was a hint of strain around her smile. “We still have some shit to work out, obviously.”
He settled for a noncommittal sound. In his view, Livvy and Nicholas should have probably already discussed whether they would have a maid or housekeeper or butler after they combined households, but their relationship was outside the purview of what an employer or a friend could ask about.
“Sadia and I were about to head out. Dress fitting. Nicholas is in the library if you want to hang out with him. I think Eve went for a horseback ride.”
He released the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. He would have to see Eve eventually, but she could wait until he figured out how to act normal around her. “Yeah, I’ll go say hi to Nicholas. Thanks.”
“No problem.”
Nicholas sat in one corner of the library at a large desk, a stack of papers in front of him. He glanced up and smiled when Gabe entered. “Gabe. Good to see you.” He rose and they hugged quickly, slapping each other on the back. One of the best things to come of Nicholas and Livvy getting back together had been being able to renew his friendship with Nicholas.
Over the past few months, Gabe had often felt a trace of guilt over their increasing chumminess, but he told himself Paul would have eventually reconciled with Nicholas. The man made Livvy so happy. She walked around with a perpetually sappy smile on her face. “Good to see you too.”
“I have a quick phone call. Let me take it, and we can catch up.”
It was no surprise to Gabe when Nicholas’s one phone call turned into a few phone calls. Gabe checked his Ryde app, but Anne hadn’t contacted him yet. He’d barely thought about his embarrassing escapade with his driver, until yesterday, when he’d felt Eve’s body pressed up against him. The bracelet was tucked away in his bag, next to his electronics.
He put his phone down. He could go get his tablet but he hadn’t been able to sketch anything since he’d kissed Eve. He’d realized that every little thing he’d drawn lately had been designs he could imagine on her. Delicate, flighty, whimsical things. Things she really wasn’t. Or rather, that he hadn’t really thought she could be, until he’d seen her in that cherry-dotted bathing suit.
That suit, that had cradled her lush, decadent body.
