Page 86 of Until

"What? You can't be serious!”

I take the envelope from him and open it. Inside is a deed to the building and all the paperwork with my name listed as the owner of John's Bar and Grille.

"You can't do this,” I say. “This is too much. You can't take care of my grandmother and do all this stuff for me, like giving me a restaurant." I slide all the paperwork back into the envelope and push it toward him, but he slides it right back to me.

"It's yours. You see, all the paperwork is there; everything's signed and dated. It's been put in your name whether you like it or not."

“But don't I have to sign something? Isn't that how things work?"

"Oh Carina, I love your naïveté.” He teases, but it doesn’t feel rude as it did when we first met. “When will you realize that things work differently when you have a lot of money?”

He grins, and I smack his shoulder with the envelope.

"Well, I don't accept. I can’t be one of those girls who just takes anything. I think I've been lucky enough."

"Fair enough. Then how about you buy it from me?"

"Buy it from you? You know I don't have any money. Is this one of those kinky billionaire things I’ve heard about?"

"Only if you're open to that." He raises his eyebrows up and down quickly and I laugh before hitting him with the envelope again. "I'll make you an offer you can’t refuse."

"Haven't we done this before?” I ask.

"Yes, but not like this. How much money do you have on you?"

"You mean right now?"

He nods.

I go into my purse and pull out my wallet. Inside is a five-dollar bill and some change. I hold it out to him, and he takes it. He counts the change and sets it down next to the five-dollar bill, pulls out his wallet, and hands me four crisp one-dollar bills.

"Here is your change, Miss Cameron. You have just bought yourself a New York institution."

I take the money, shove it into my purse, and then quickly hug him.

"You know, Alex, I do love you. Just not in that way."

He pulls back and puts his hand to his heart, and makes a face as if he's in pain.

"I never thought hearing those words could hurt so much," he says. “You know I love you too. And if things work out like I expect them to, I’ll be honored to have you as my sister.”

“Aww,” I say, hugging him again. “I always wanted a brother.”

“Who knows, I might just start dating again.”

"You can always start up Ryan's masquerade balls again.”

He shrugs. “I’m not quite so dramatic. Maybe something simpler. We’ll see. Maybe I’ll do one of those arranged marriages I keep hearing about.”

“But what about love?” I ask, unsure if he’s joking or not.

"What about it?" he scoffs. He leans forward and holds out his hand to me. I hesitate before taking it, but then I do. “Whatever happens between you and Ryan, at least I know you'll always be in my life as my friend. I don't think I can handle other heartbreak like what you've given me, but you’ve shown me that I do still have a heart. Don’t worry about me. I'll be fine. I don’t need anyone or anything, especially not love."

“But—"

“No. Shh, don’t argue with me. It just makes me love you more." He winks at me before looking at his watch and then stands. "You're welcome to stay here for as long as you want, but I have to go. I have an appointment to get to.” As I open my mouth to speak, he raises his hand. “Please don't worry about me. I’m just telling you how I feel. As a friend, nothing more.”

I'm too stunned to speak. Alex kisses my forehead before crossing the library and exiting towards the foyer. I don’t know what he’s talking about with not needing anyone, but I don’t like it. He deserves to have someone who loves and cares for him the way I love Ryan.

---