“One hundred percent that man cries when he comes.” Lily leans against the bar, crossing her arms, and we all erupt.
“I think I’m going to take that chance.” She steals Ria’s olive, seductively placing it on her tongue. “He’s very pretty.”
“Pretty won’t sate your appetite, G.” Deacon squeezes her shoulder as he walks by and she smiles into her drink.
“It sure won’t.”
Chapter 43
Ria
From:[email protected]
Subject: Portfolio
Good evening, Ria,
Apologies for not being in touch. Things have not gone to plan with one of our hotels here in Greece, but I’m hoping to be back in London shortly. I’ve asked Shannon to pencil in a meeting with you to discuss my decision.
In the meantime, enjoy your brother’s wedding. I'm certain it will be a wonderful celebration.
Regards, Cole
The email stares at me from my mobile screen, taunting me. The sounds of the birds woke me and I foolishly rolled over and checked my phone instead of falling back asleep. I know I’ve wanted Cole to contact me but now he has, I'm jittery. I peel myself quietly out of the bed I’m currently sharing with Grace. Jade is superstitious and didn’t want to see Hunter until the wedding, so she asked all us girls to stay with her in the wedding suite. It was perfect as we all laughed and the worries of everything else drifted away as we stayed up well into the early morning. The suite is huge and perfect for all of us to get ready for the wedding. Light and airy, it is adorned with vases and vases of sunflowers and wildflowers, symbolic of Jade and Hunter’s love and utterly stunning.
Slumping down onto the plush cream couch, I rest my head in my hands.
This could be it.
I could finally have the portfolio. But if he is letting me down and giving the opportunity to Ezra, I’m not sure I could take it. He has been surprisingly quiet and that in itself is unnerving.
My phone chimes in my hand, making me jump, and Leo’s name flashes across my screen.
Leo - You awake?
Ria - Yep
Leo - Meet me in the gardens under the willow?
Ria - Okay
Finding my jacket, I wrap it around my silk pajamas and slip on my tennis shoes before quietly padding out of the suite. Hugging my arms around myself, I walk quickly down to thegardens just beyond the terrace that is lit up by strings of twinkling lights and follow the path to the large willow tree in the center. Pausing when I see Leo pacing, raking his fingers through his hair in front of the beautiful backdrop, I swallow the lump forming. After he talked things out with Hunter, it was like something had switched in him. The confidence that usually rolled off him in waves wavered and was replaced by a vulnerability I’ve never seen in his eyes. Having not had a chance to talk to him privately all evening about what torture my brother threatened him with, I’m certain he’s now regretting everything we have done these past couple of weeks even if every moment I’ve spent with him felt perfect.
Clearing my throat, I offer him a small wave and he walks toward me. “Ri, are you okay? Not cold?” Placing his hands on my shoulders, he rubs them up and down my arms, his voice a little shaky as he takes me in.
“No, I’m not cold.” I smile weakly at him.
“Good. I’m sorry for dragging you out of bed.”
“It’s fine. I couldn’t sleep.”
“No?” As he guides me to the bench underneath the willow, I shake my head.
“I got an email from Cole that woke me.”
Sinking down on the bench, Leo takes my hand in his. “What did it say?”
