Page 106 of Secret Heir For The Billionaire Twin

“Probably not.”

I laugh softly.

We continue down the path until the garden opens near a low stone wall overlooking the lake. I rest my hand against it, letting the breeze move through my hair. Julian stands beside me. There is no recorder between us now, no notebook, no table. Just the two of us and the sound of water below.

“What about you?” he asks.

“What about me?”

“If no one expected anything from you.”

“I thought we established that I’d still write.”

“You did.”

“So what are you asking?”

“What would you stop doing?”

That takes me off guard.

I look out toward the lake.

“I don’t know.”

“Now I don’t believe you.”

I glance at him.

He is smiling slightly.

I shake my head.

“I’d probably stop treating every assignment like someone is waiting for me to fail.”

Julian’s expression changes. I continue before I can reconsider.

“I know I’m good at what I do. I know that now. But there’s still some part of me that walks into every room prepared to prove I deserve to be there.”

“You don’t have to prove that to me.”

The words are simple. They hit harder than they should. I look at him. The breeze catches a strand of hair and blows it across my face. Before I can move it, Julian reaches out. His fingers brush the strand away. The touch is gentle, almost absentminded, but his hand does not fall immediately. His fingertips trace lightly along the side of my face before stopping near my jaw.

My breath catches as Julian’s eyes remain on mine. The space between us narrows without either of us stepping closer. For one suspended moment, I think he is going to kiss me. I am not sure whether I want him to or whether I already know I do.

His hand lowers slowly and I look away first.

“You’re very different here,” I say quietly.

Julian glances toward the lake.

“I know.”

“That wasn’t a criticism.”

“I know that too.”

I turn back toward him.