“You’re not blowing your college fund, Pri.I’llpay, got it? Just give me the info and I’ll send enough to cover it.” I point at Julian. “But I’m not giving money to you directly.”
“Sage, no. You don’t have to do that,” he says.
I suspect this is exactly where we were headed all along, and he guided us right here. He never intended to take Pri’s money.But I’m too tired and upset and self-conscious to call him out on it. Also, it makes Pri happy to think she was going to save him, so I’m letting her keep that, even if—once again—it was more of Julian Sikora’s trademark passive-aggressive crap.
“No shit I don’t have to do it,” I retort. “But I’m going to, so shut up.” My phone sings out with Dagna’s text tone, “Physical,” and I pick it up from the coffee table.
Dagna:I’ve sent a car for you. It’s outside the hotel now. Be here in ten minutes or I’m making you start with 100 clamshell side planks.
“Oh, fuckbuckets,” I mutter. “It’s Daggy, and she’s loaded for bear. I gotta jam.” I pop to my feet and point at Priya. “Your key card’s on the table beside your bed. Andyou…” I point at Julian. “Don’t fuck up this rehab thing. OtherwiseI’lldeliver your next beatdown.”
He pushes to his feet with stiff effort and holds his arms open. After a pause, I meet him halfway around the table and accept a hug.
“Thanks, sis. I won’t make you regret it. And I’m going to pay you back.”
I shrug. “Like I care about the money, dumbass.”
Priya pipes up, “Julian’s staying here tonight. I’ll take him to the airport for Switzerland in the morning.”
“Whatever. Fine.” I stuff my phone into my pocket.
Alexander stands. “Shall we?”
“No need for a ride after all. There’s a car waiting, apparently.”
He looks a little bummed. “Right. I’ll walk you out, at any rate.”
I give Pri and Jules a wave and head out the door with Alexander. Weirdly, after the emotionally depleting scene I just had to deal with, I kinda wish I could crawl into bed next to Alexander. Like, not even in a sex way. Just order room service junk food and watch bad TV and keep having him near, hiding in a cocoon of blankets with his nice smell and his voice wrapped around me like a smooth satin bow that’s tying me together.
I think I’m glad he stayed.
I hope I don’t end up regretting it.
I peek at him as we wait for the elevator to arrive. “So, uh… I don’t suppose you’d be game for a sleepover tonight?” I ask.
He plants one hand on the wall above my shoulder, casual and sexy as hell. Oh God, those damned smoky-gray eyes of his…
“What are you asking of me, Salvia officinalis?”
“I haven’t decided yet. But I guess I want you around. Maybe just to talk. Maybe so you can read me a bedtime story and rock me to sleep. Fuck, I don’t know. Do you want a detailed schedule or something?”
He presses those delicious lips together, hiding a smile. “Happy to play it by ear, pet. I’ll be there. Wouldn’t miss it.”
12
MELBOURNE
ALEXANDER
It feels disloyal to like Sage’s brother, but he’s an affable bloke and we get on immediately. After Sage left, I was prepared to go back to my own suite, but Julian invited me to dine with him and salty Priya, who glared daggers at me throughout a leisurely brunch.
After plates have been cleared, Julian and I are sipping cold brew sangrias and chatting about music (a show he saw in Berlin; I know the singer, though I don’t mention it’s because I’ve slept with her) when he turns his wrist to check the watch that’s no longer there. With a resigned sigh, he digs his mobile from a pocket.
“Good thing I’m ambidextrous,” he says with a tired smile, laying the mobile beside his plate.
“Are you?”
“Yeah, from climbing. Gotta be equally strong with both hands.” He reaches to run a thumb across Priya’s knuckles,where she’s cradling a mug of oat milk chai. “Hey, uh… is it about time? Pretty close, right?”
