by Nadia Lee
I press a kiss on each of his cheeks, then his mouth. Does he have any idea how much his regard means to me, how sweetly he wrecks me? I’m more determined than ever to get along with his siblings. Unless I misunderstood Elizabeth at the hospital, he already doesn’t talk or otherwise communicate with his parents. Losing contact with his brothers and sister would be too cruel.
The car stops in front of a high-rise, and we make our way inside. The building is astonishingly swanky—more luxurious than the one that houses the condo Lucas and I saw earlier. Not that the place we’re moving into is shabby. It’s just that Elliot’s building is like a palace, except constructed with modern sensibilities.
When we step out of the elevator, Lucas squeezes my hand. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.” I smile even though nerves are jittering through me. I’m sure that Elliot will probably behave—I can’t imagine anybody being more appalling than Blake—but I really want him to like me…just a little bit…and hopefully be nothing like their oldest brother.
Elliot’s penthouse is breathtaking—ultramodern and ultra-expensive. A view of nighttime L.A. glitters on the other side of floor-to-ceiling windows, and a beautiful, contemporary staircase leads to a second level. The furnishings are opulent and quite masculine in taste. It’s obvious that his wife hasn’t had a chance to change the décor at all.
“Finally! You made it.” A man who looks just like Lucas comes out. Unlike the love of my life, his hair is short, cropped to show off his unscarred and handsome face. But even so, I feel no spark, no stirring. What I feel for Lucas isn’t about his appearance. It’s about his soul, what’s in his heart.
Elliot is dressed somewhat casually in a well-fitted V-neck shirt in sleet gray, and slacks as black as ink. His ebony leather shoes are shiny, looking like they’ve been freshly polished.
“Perfect timing,” comes a soft, feminine voice. Heels clicking, a pretty redhead walks toward us, her designer yellow dress showing off her lovely curves.
Lucas makes introductions. I shake hands with Elliot and his wife Belle. Their smiles seem genuine, and I start to unbend. “And Nonny is Belle’s sister, but I’m not sure where she is,” Lucas says.
Elliot cocks an eyebrow at Belle. “Finishing up her homework, I think,” she says.
“Are you sure? She’s not obsessively checking her messages again to see if that boy texted her back?”
Belle rolls her eyes. “Let her be. It’s her first real crush.”
“Ugh.” Elliot makes a face. “I’m going to have to find out who this boy is and have a firm conversation with him about treating women right. Well…one of them, anyway.”
“That’s rich, coming from you,” Lucas says, putting an arm around me and pulling me closer. “So is the food here yet?”
“We ordered about ten minutes ago.” Belle gestures to the open space behind her. “I prepared some cheese and crackers and decanted a bottle of wine. Why don’t we have a drink before the food arrives?”
Ever the gracious hostess, she leads us to the low coffee table in the living room. I’m surprised at how much I like her. Given what the tabloids said, I thought she’d be slightly…mercenary or something. I don’t think she’s soft the way Elizabeth is, having grown up in the lap of luxury, but Belle is definitely the kind of woman I would love to befriend.
“By the way, love your dress.” Belle smiles. “I wish I could wear red, but it’s really hard with, you know, the hair.”
“Well, who needs a red outfit when they have hair as stunning as yours?”
Belle flushes, and I know then we’ve taken the first step toward forming a friendship, and that more than anything else helps me relax—because she’s my second ally in Lucas’s family.
“Did you find anything you like?” Elliot asks as we sit around the table.
“I’m sorry?”
“You guys are looking to move in together, right?” He studies me and Lucas until I feel like squirming.
“We are.” I smile. “Lucas’s realtor found a very nice place.”
“It’s a little small, but it’ll do.” Lucas pulls me tight and presses a soft kiss on top of my head. “Once we’re moved in, I just need to buy her a ring so everyone knows she’s taken.”
I quirk an eyebrow, bemused but glad that he’s changed his mind about the wedding.
“Congratulations. When’s the date?” Belle asks.
“Not for several months. I’m going to give her the kind of wedding all women dream of. She deserves the best.” Lucas looks at his twin and his wife with something that seems halfway between envy and admiration.
Then I finally realize something. Lucas isn’t trying to get the beautiful penthouse and give me nice things like this pretty dress to control me the way my dad did my mother. Lucas is doing this because he has a need to provide for me, to prove I matter to him. I’m not blind. I see the huge diamond on Belle’s finger, and beautiful pearls dangling from her ears. But she doesn’t merely look like a woman who’s expensively kept. People glancing at her will know with certainty that she has a loving and indulgent husband who she loves to death. It’s in the way she glows, the soft gleam she gets every time she glances at her husband. Then there’s Elliot. He grins at her affectionately, and occasionally feeds her the cheese and crackers.
Lucas wants that for us. He wants it so bad, it’s almost palpable. My heart twists at the cruel words I said to him in Charlottesville. Even though we’re back together, he’ll never forget—and the wounds they left probably still hurt underneath.
I’ve got to find a way to make it up to him—show him I was a scared little girl back then, but I’m braver and wiser now.
Elliot puts his free arm on the back of the couch and twists away from us. “Nonny, if you don’t come out soon, we’re going to eat all the brie!”
The door remains closed.
“My brother and his wife are here. I’m about to tell them about that boy in your algebra class.”
Before he can straighten back to us, the door opens, and a teenager with brown hair marches out, the hem of her black maxi dress almost skimming the floor. She’s probably thirteen or fourteen, and she’s skinny without any curves yet, although her facial resemblance to Belle is striking.
“Must you share details of my life?” Nonny says.
Elliot shrugs. “You wouldn’t come out.”
“Totally unfair. I was about to.”
“Hey, whatever means are necessary.” Elliot turns to us. “I’m thinking about hacking into his account.”
“Just hire a PI and see what he’s up to,” Lucas suggests.
She flushes as she takes us in. “Hi.”
I smile at her. “Hi.”
“Sorry about the outburst. And just so you know”—she glances at Lucas—“that idea is terrible.”
He merely laughs.
She rolls her eyes in the way only a teenager can, until I’m afraid they’ll spill out of her eye sockets. “Elliot can be overprotective. And drive me insane.” She sits down on the floor near the table and takes a cracker.
“I think it’s nice,” I say. “It means he cares about you.”
“I really want to figure this out on my own. What do old people know about love anyway?”
I can’t help it. I burst out laughing at her serious expression. Elliot, Belle and Lucas join in my hilarity. Elliot pats Belle affectionately and hands her a thick slice of brie.
In that moment, I learn two things.
One: Elliot is cool. He’s protective and he cares deeply about not only his wife but her younger sister. An asshole like Blake would never be as indulgent or patient.
Two: I’m glad we’re having dinner together. Because I know that Elliot can be my ally in convincing Lucas that we really should get married ASAP.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Ava
I’m back in the office on Tuesday, bleary-eyed but with a huge cup of coffee in hand. We stayed at Elliot’s until almost eleven, then Lucas and I
went to my place to get me some fresh clothes. I’d rather not spend the night at a hotel again and have to get another emergency outfit…even if it would be a Dior or some other fancy label. And of course, instead of sleeping like responsible adults with jobs, we spent a big chunk of the night rolling around in bed. It’s no wonder I’m exhausted.
Lucas got me a car service in the morning to take me to work. “I’d drive you, but I have an early call with some inventor in Korea.”
I kissed him on the mouth. “Have fun. Love you.” I smiled as I left, leaving my ridiculously handsome billionaire boyfriend in the small and incredibly ordinary apartment. It felt good to see him at my place in the morning. He never stayed when we were together in Charlottesville two years ago. Not like this anyway. This time it feels more permanent, and I can see us staying together no matter what happens.
Today’s the last day I’m coming in for the week. Unlike the medical staff, most of the people on my floor are on vacation starting at two p.m. Since it’s not quite a full day, everyone’s dressed casually. I’m no exception in my long-sleeve UVA shirt, faded blue jeans and flats. Erin, my nurse friend, is working tomorrow, but she gets to take Thanksgiving off, for which she’s grateful.
Wanna get lunch? she texts me.
Sorry! I have a date.
Woohoo! Do tell…
Later. ;)
I grab my purse and take off at eleven thirty to make it to a small mom-and-pop sandwich shop about ten minutes away on foot. I get a BLT special and take my seat. Soon I see Elliot walk in. I wave.
He spots me and gives me a quick grin, then grabs a sandwich and joins me. He’s in a crisp pale blue button-down shirt sans tie and black slacks. Seeing him like this, I can’t help but think that the online articles about his reputation have to be wrong. He seems so…normal.
“Thanks for meeting me,” I say.
“No problem. I was in the area anyway.” He smiles, all gracious and sweet, then takes a sip of his soda. “I was surprised to get a call from you. Figured it must be important.”
“I got your number from Rachel. I hope you don’t mind,” I explain, then flush. Is that going to get her into trouble? Probably not. Lucas told me to contact her if I needed anything, and he was unavailable this morning, or so I tell myself. “And yes, it is important. It’s about marriage.”
One dark eyebrow creeps upward, slowly and deliberately. “Oh?”
“You heard him say he doesn’t plan to marry me soon, but you know what that means, don’t you?”
He raises, then drops a massive shoulder. “What does it mean?”
“Come on.” I lean across the table and lower my voice. “You know the stipulation from your father.”
“Don’t you want a big wedding?”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes at his nonsensical question and instead shake my head. “I want Lucas to have what he wants.” I exhale roughly. “I don’t want to cost him—or you—the paintings.”
“Did you tell him that?”
“Yes, but he’s being stubborn. Says he won’t do anything to make me wonder if he married me for love or the inheritance.”
Elliot makes a sort of moue of understanding. “A fair point.”
I blink, unsure if I heard him right.
He grins. “If you’re here to ask me to intervene on your behalf, sorry. I’m not going to. I’ve already done enough damage to both of you when I failed to anticipate and counter Wife Number Three’s moves.”
He must be referring to the tabloid article that exposed the whole ugly deal surrounding his father and his siblings. “That’s why you owe us one.”
“Uh-uh. I want Lucas happy. He’s not like the Grim Reaper when you’re around.”
“And I’m not going anywhere.” Why is Elliot being obtuse? I thought he was supposed to be smart. A genius, actually.
He gives me a warm smile. “You have no idea how possessive and protective he is of you, do you?”
“I know he loves me. And I love him back. That’s why I’m trying to help him get what he wants.”
“He already has what he wants—you. I don’t blame him for not wanting to jeopardize that. I didn’t know how irrational and territorial I could be until I met Belle.”
“So you’re saying you didn’t marry her for the paintings?” The question slips out before I can stop myself. I cringe inwardly. It’s none of my business why and how they ended up together.
“At first I did, but my feelings changed. Lucas never even wanted to marry, not even to inherit. If you push, it’ll make things worse. Have faith. We are not going to hate you because of Lucas’s decision.”
I flush. “How did you know?”
He chuckles. “I’m actually a pretty smart guy. Look, we are all very happy for him. Well, maybe not Blake—yet—but he’ll come around.”
“I don’t know. I think he hates me.”
“I know he said some things to you.”
“You do?”
“When you showed up at the hospital, he said he would take care of you. I wish I’d stopped him. Then maybe things would’ve worked out better.”
If you only knew. I would’ve had Lucas with me while I was pregnant.
Elliot continues, “So this is my way of making things right, giving both of you my full support regardless of what you decide to do. The paintings mean a lot to us, but Grandfather didn’t create them so that we’d do something that went against our morals and happiness. And hurting the women we love? Definitely not something that would make our grandfather proud.”
A small lump forms in my throat, and I can’t speak. I don’t know how I could’ve misjudged Lucas’s family so badly. I purposely chose Elliot, assuming that he’d jump all over any idea that would net him his painting. But…he’s not.
Maybe I just thought everyone would be like Blake. But from Elizabeth to Elliot, these people genuinely want Lucas and me to be as happy as possible, even if it means losing a multimillion-dollar inheritance.
“Thank you,” I murmur. “It means a lot to me that you feel that way.”
“My pleasure. Look, I know the men in this family can be a pain in the ass. And Lucas can certainly be difficult, but it would mean a lot if you could be a little bit patient with us.”
I smile. “Of course.”
Elliot gets up and walks around the table until he reaches me and gives me a tight hug. “I know he hasn’t married you yet, but still, welcome to the family, Ava.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Ava
My workday ends at two, so I stop by the store to stock up on some ingredients for homemade baby food. Darcy’s probably going to bring a bunch with her, but I want to feed Mia something I’ve made with my own hands. My slim purse is full of printouts of recipes I found online.
As I carry the groceries to my apartment, I think about what Bennie told me while we were in Osaka. Mia’s real identity simply cannot be kept secret forever, especially if Lucas and I are going to be together. He has the right to know, and to keep him in the dark when he’s going to see her—and my foster parents—would be completely unfair.
The problem is how to tell him. There’s no manual on how to drop a secret baby bombshell on your boyfriend. I think he’ll understand why I had to do what I did, but it’s not something you just blurt out over dinner or after sex… Or at least I don’t think so.
Not to mention I have no idea how Lucas feels about children in general. He seemed nice and sweet enough with Mia, but does he actually want a child? Is he going to be resentful that I gave her away or relieved that he won’t have to be a father? The only thing I’m pretty sure of is that even though he called children “interesting” that one time at the bed and breakfast, “interesting” isn’t really what he thinks about them.
When I open the door and step inside, I almost halt at the sight of Lucas sprawled on my couch, a tablet resting in one big palm. He’s in a white T-shirt and a pair of long, loose lounging pants, his feet bare. I tilt my head. He looks e
ntirely at home and ridiculously comfortable.
“Welcome home.” He gets up and takes the groceries from me. “I thought work ended at two,” he says, as his lips brush over mine. “I was literally dying waiting for you to return.” He sighs dramatically, the back of one hand at his forehead.
I laugh. “It did, but I had to get some stuff for tomorrow. Ray and Darcy are arriving.”
“That’s right. I forgot.” He places the bags on the counter in the kitchen. “You know…we’re sort of stuck for Thanksgiving, but do you want to go someplace more fun for Christmas?” He hands me the beef and chicken.
I blink, taking the meat and putting it in the fridge. “Like where?”
“I believe I mentioned Paris at one time…”
“You were supposed to kidnap me,” I say with a smile, even though I’m wondering about his use of the word “stuck.” “Are you uncomfortable seeing Ray and Darcy again?”
He shrugs. “I don’t think they like me. They probably prefer that I stay away from you.”
“No, they don’t.” I put a hand on his bicep. “The only thing they care about is that I’m happy, and I’m very happy with you.”
A small smile lightens his face. “I can’t possibly make you half as happy as you make me. But my real worry is for them to tell you to ditch me and you doing exactly that.”
“Lucas. I’m an adult now, and I make my own decisions. Really.”
“Okay.” He hands me the last perishable item from the grocery bags. “So, Christmas…?”
“Can we spend it with our families? Please? We can leave immediately after and go wherever you want for New Year’s.”
Lucas’s gaze sharpens. “Anywhere?”
“Yes. Even a racy lingerie factory.”
His head tilts back and he bursts out laughing. “Don’t remind me of the trauma. I never want to see white cotton underwear again.”
“I thought you looked pretty hot in them.”
“Ha! You never saw me in any of them. You kept me naked…and busy.”
I giggle. “I believe our decision on the activity was mutual, and you never once complained.”