Page 29 of We're Not Strangers Anymore

I hope she knows what she just agreed to, because nothing is stopping me now.

Rowan

The wooden stairs creak under my weight as I make my way down to the lower level of the cabin where Sophia and Laila are staying. The scent of pine and the crackle of the fireplace mingle with the crisp mountain air seeping through the windows. I love this place– isolated, serene, a perfect escape from the craziness in Chicago.

As I descend, I hear soft laughter between them. Despite what Grayson says about Laila, I find her presence to be calming, a stark contrast to Grayson’s aggressive nature. I reach the bottom of the stairs and take in the cozy scene.

“Hey Rowan,” Laila calls, setting down a glass of white wine. “Come join me. It’s way too quiet down here.” Sophia looks like she’s going to crash once she finishes that first glass of wine. I can’t imagine how she must be feeling right now. I’ve always sucked at comforting people through grief or hard times, so I just shut my mouth and listen now.

I smile back at her. “You know I can’t resist a glass of moscato.” I tease, plopping down next to her on the brown suede couch.

She laughs nudging me with her shoulder. “Good because I need some girl talk without Grayson barking at me.” She says, rolling her eyes.

“Well I’ll give you girls some time. I’m going to rest for a few hours.” Sophia heads into the back bedroom and there’s a moment of comfortable silence as Laila and I stare into the fireplace.

“So,” Laila says, breaking the silence, “how are things going with you and my brother?”

I hesitate for a moment, not knowing how to respond. I’m surprised that’s the first thing on her mind after everything, though people tend to never say what they’re actually thinking. “Intense is the only way I can describe it. A lot of changes in such a short period of time that’s all I can say.” I admit.

She studies me for a moment, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Rowan, can I ask you something?”

“Of course.” I reply.

“How do youreallyfeel about Grayson?” She asks, her eyes searching mine. “I mean it’s obvious there’s something between you two but you didn’t choose to marry him, youwere forced to, yet you guys seem comfortable around each other.”

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of her question. “Truth is Laila, I’ve grown to care a lot about him through all of this. He’s– complicated, but so am I. Things like this aren’t so black and white– there’s a lot to it, you know?”

Laila nods, a small smile playing on her lips. “I knew you weren’t the type to over explain your feelings. I like it, that tells me you’re not a people pleaser. He cares about you.”

I shrug. “He definitely cares enough to save me from being killed. I have to give him credit for that.”

She stills for a moment. “No, I mean he likes you. He’s never brought anyone to cook Sunday dinner with Ma and I and he talks about you like you’re the Queen of England. It's like you brought out a different side of him– and that says a lot for a man that runs a criminal empire. It’s rare you see him care about anyone besides his family.” I feel my heart flutter at her words, but it doesn’t change how things happened. I can’t fall in love with a man that kidnapped me and put me in the middle of his dangerous life.

“Really? It’s nice to know I guess, but he’s still my captor at the end of the day, Laila.” I say, shrugging it off.

“How you feel about the circumstance doesn’t have to be the same as how you feel about Grayson. Maybe it’s something to think about.” She says, smiling softly. I don’t know how I feel about Grayson, I know it’s a different feeling and that’s all I know.

“Oh no, am I walking in on you stealing my girl?” Grayson teases as he makes his way down the staircase.

“Just in time, I was about to pretend to yawn and put my arm around her.” Laila says with a sly smile.

“That was fast, I figured you’d sleep longer after the drive.” I turn to look at Grayson. I can’t pull my eyes from where his dark gray sweatpants hang just below his lower abdomen. My eyes land on the tattoo he has above his pelvis of what looks like an eagle killing a snake.

“I can sleep when I’m dead.” He says, opening the fridge to grab a bottle of water.

“Well I’m going to go take a power nap, think about what I said, Rowan.” Laila says, springing off the couch and walking to her room.

“What was that about?” Grayson furrowed his brow.

“Just some book she was reading, she recommended it to me.” I say, pulling my gaze from him.

“Well that’s a lie because Laila doesn’t read. What was she talking to you about?” Grayson joins me on the couch wrapping his arm around my shoulders.Thanks Laila.

“Nothing– she just didn’t want me to worry about everything that’s going on, that’s all.”

He sits silently for a moment, fiddling with the drawstring on his sweatpants.

“Why did you stop speaking to your father when you turned eighteen?” He asks, avoiding eye contact.

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