He gives me a cocky grin, like he wants to sayyeah, it was.
Placing a kiss on my nose—which feels so cutesy after what we just did—he excuses himself to use the bathroom to clean up. My legs feel a little weak, so I lean my hip on the couch. Not for the first time, I wonder how this is going to end. When will it end? The sooner I can get my life on track, the sooner I can go back to normal before I get too attached.
A few minutes later, Lucas saunters back into the room. Jeans buttoned, t-shirt back in place. He looks like a dream with or without clothes.
“I really have to get to work before Hayden drags me there himself.”
“Is there a problem?”
“We need to do some damage control. A couple of clients have cancelled.”
“Oh no! This is all my fault for dragging you into my mess.” Things are getting worse and worse. It’s one thing for me to lose business, it’s another for Alessi Fashion, especially when all Lucas has done is help me.
Taking me by the shoulders, he says, “None of this is your fault. Stop blaming yourself.”
“If you hadn’t gotten involved—”
He gently squeezes my shoulders. “My decision. I’d do it again if I had to.”
The fierce look on his face tells me he means it. Warmth spreads across my chest. “But your brothers are paying for it now.”
“Don’t worry. It will be fine. The clients were assholes to deal with. I’m happy to see the back of them.”
I gnaw on my bottom lip. Lucas places a finger on my mouth, stopping me.
“You worry too much,” he says. “Everything will work out in the end. We’ll win everyone over with our fairy tale romance. You’ll see. Now, I won’t be long. I can work mostly from home, so I’ll be back in a couple of hours. Is there anything you need before I go?”
“Do you mind if Claudia and my mother come over?” We need to talk about mine and Lucas’ plan.
“You don’t need to ask to have guests.” He points to a phone attached to the wall. “Press zero and it will connect you toSamuel. He’s security. Give him the names of your visitors, and he’ll let them up. He’ll also arrange a car for you to leave the building undetected if you need to go anywhere. When you’re hungry, press one on the phone and it will take you to the restaurant. I’ve already had them send up cream cheese bagels with chocolate sauce.” He screws his nose mockingly with distaste. “It’s in the kitchen.”
“Thank you.” There he goes being sweet again. I will never be able to repay him for everything he’s done for me.
He swipes his phone and keys from the coffee table and slides them into his pockets. “Call me if you need anything.” Walking to me, he cups my face in his hands and kisses me softly on the lips. “See you later, Pixie.”
He saunters away and out of the apartment. I’m left frozen on the spot. Up until now our new friendship was based on sex, and soon to be, a fake relationship. My heart is knocking against my chest, because that gentle goodbye kiss didn’t feel so fake.
“My God! I thought I was going to have to donate a kidney to the Dwayne Johnson look-alike security guard to let us in. He asked us a hundred and one questions and wanted two forms of identification before he let us into the elevator. You’d think the president lived here,” Claudia huffs as she gives me a quick hug. Then her gaze takes in the luxurious room. “Holy shit! I think the president does live here.” And it’s only the entrance. Wait until she sees the rest of the place.
My mother follows close behind Claudia, looking like a picture of elegance, dressed in a white, fitted bodice with a flared skirt emphasizing her slim frame. Chunky gold and pearl jewelry drape around her neck. Her platinum blonde hair falls in perfect waves past her shoulders. Anyone would think she’s dressed foran important event, not a visit with her daughter. This is what she calls ‘casual’.
“Hello, sweetheart.” My mother gives me air-kisses on each cheek. “Nice of you to call me while you were away.” Her words have an undertone of pissed although the botox doesn’t show how upset she really is with me.
I lead them into the living room, which I’ve tidied up. I hung all the clothes in a closet in a bedroom I found. Just because I stayed the night in Lucas’ bed doesn’t mean that while I’m living here, that’s where he wants me every night.
“I’m sorry, Mom. Things got hectic, and the cell reception was bad.”
She tilts her chin. “Well, it would have been nice to know if you were alive or dead.”
I mentally roll my eyes at her dramatics. I know Claudia would have let her know we’d spoken. “I’m sorry,” I repeat. No point arguing over it. “Can I get either of you a coffee?”
“No thank you,” Claudia says.
“I’m fine for now,” my mother says as her gaze trails me from head to toe. “Is that a new outfit?”
“Yes, it is.” My body tenses as I wait for her criticism.
Because I’m not planning on leaving the apartment, I chose something more casual from the Alessi collection. I look down and self-consciously smooth out the fabric of the navy, wide-legged, high-waisted trousers. Then I fiddle with the blue and white striped silk shirt, which is rolled up at the elbows and tucked into the waistband of the pants. Cinching my waist is a tanned belt. When I’d looked in the mirror I thought I looked stylish and cute. Now with my mother’s scrutinizing stare, I’m not so sure.