Sighing, she takes my hand. “I’m sorry. I never meant to make you feel bad about what’s happening, or not happening, between you and Lucas. I’m just worried about you. It’s no secret what he’s like. I’d hate for you to get hurt because you’ve fallen for him and he’s broken your heart.”
I squeeze her hand and smile. “Thank you for caring. I know what I’m getting into. “He’snotgoing to break my heart,” I emphasize. Do I say that to convince her or myself?
“So, he’s going to stop this ‘fake relationship’ and make it a real one? If I can see you’re falling for him, surely he can too. Will he let you keep this up knowing this?”
Oh no…no…no. He can’t know. Not when this is temporary. Not when he’s not offering anything more.
“He probably knows you have feelings for him, yet he’s keeping you here. Exploiting them for his own selfish reasons. Unless he’s ready to stop pretending and make things official, he needs to let you go.” She gives me a quick hug, like that’s supposed to soothe her words. “You are my best friend. If I can’t tell you the truth, who can?”
I give her a ghost of a smile. Her comments masked under the guise of being my best friend don’t make the hurt any less. “I need to talk to Lucas.”
Claudia rises from the couch. “Good idea. I’ll go so you can get it over with.”
I follow her to the foyer, and we say our goodbyes. When the door closes behind her, I lean against it, my heart beating rapidly. I’m falling in love with Lucas. I can’t keep ignoring my feelings. This wasn’t supposed to happen, and yet I couldn’t stop myself. Now I really can’t stay. If I do, it will only be harder to leave.
Walking to Lucas’ office, I knock before I enter. He’s sitting on the edge of his desk, fiddling with a camera. When he sees me, his face lights up with a smile. Oh God. His smile shoots an arrow through my heart. I want him to look at me like that forever.
He points the lens at me and says, “Strike a pose.”
I cross my eyes and stick out my tongue.
The camera clicks a few times, and Lucas laughs. “That photo will be the showpiece for the next Alessi Fashion catalogue.”
“Whenever you need a model, you know where to find me. Although, with my talent, I don’t come cheap,” I joke, but my heart is heavy in my chest.
“I’ll pay whatever you’re asking.” He grins. It’s so sexy I feel the buzz from it travel all the way to my toes. “I’m assuming Claudia’s gone.”
I nod and take a seat by the window. Far enough away so I’m not tempted to place myself between his legs and kiss him until we both can’t breathe and forget about telling him I’m moving out.
“Lucas, we need to talk.”
“Uh-oh. Sounds serious. Did Claudia give you more bad news?” He places his camera on the table and gives me his full attention.
“Darren’s appearance at lunch and the fight is all over the internet. He’s getting more sympathetic votes.”
Lucas runs his fingers through his hair and sighs. “Why on earth did that fucker show up at the restaurant? Hasn’t he caused enough damage? How much longer is he going to make your life miserable?”
“Claudia says I need to talk to him. Offer him money to stop him from doing anything else.”
Lucas propels from the desk. “The fuck you will. You’re not getting near that asshole or giving him money.”
I throw my hands up. “I have to do something. Going out to lunch as a couple only caused more drama. I’m running out of options.”
Pacing in front of me, he says, “We’ll think of something.”
I get to my feet and go to him. Holding his hands in mine, I stop him from wearing out the floorboards. “I have to talk to him. I need to get my apartment back.”
“You’re moving back into the apartment?”
I couldn’t think of anything worse. “No. Not after what he’s done in there. But it’s mine and he has no right to live in it.”
“So you’ve changed your mind, you’re not leaving?”
I shake my head. “It’s time I go.”
He swings his head to the side to stare out the window. When he turns back there’s a hint of sadness in his eyes. “You really want to leave?”
No!I want to scream.I see my life here with you.“I can’t stay forever.”
