Page 19 of Burning Your Lies

I can’t help but let out a laugh. “I wasn’t suggesting that we share a bed. But no worries. It was just a suggestion.”

Brynn frowns. “You don’t think I’m leading you on, do you?”

My steps are slow towards her. “You can lead me anywhere you want and I will blindly follow you.”

Unable to hold my heavy stare, she looks away. “I feel like this is all happening too fast. We’ve spent almost every day together since we bumped into each other at the grocery store.”

Brynn never replied to the message I sent her the day after she bumped into me. Worried something had happened to her, I tracked her phone and saw she didn’t leave her flat for two days. I sent another message on day four asking if she had any luck making friends. She ignored that one, too. I was almost certain something had happened to her, so I parked outside her building and kept an eye on her. She spent a lot of time on her balcony. Sometimes she was reading, other times she sat solemnly and watched the sky. She had nobody. So, I took it upon myself to watch over her. It was day seven when she bought groceries. I only followed her to make sure she got home safely. But I realised it was probably my only chance to speak to her, as she clearly had no plans for a virtual conversation.

I bumped into her this time and apologised. There was a look of relief in her eyes when she recognised me immediately. We did our shopping together, and like a gentleman, I offered to pay for her shopping. She refused but agreed to having coffee with me. And the rest has been history.

“There’s no such thing as fast. Only what feelsright.”

Her eyes drop to my lips before she shakes her head and steps away. “Why don’t you freshen up while I plate up?”

The hot shower helps relax my muscles. Today was a good day. I got to see Savannah and had a pleasant exchange with her. She and Ray are probably arguing about me right now. Brynn is undeniably falling in love with me.Life is wonderful.

“How is the job hunt going?” I ask.

She shrugs. “Not great. London is a competitive market.”

“I’m sure you’ll find something soon.”

“I hope so. If not, I’ll have to look further out.”

I stop cutting my steak. “How far out?”

“A different city.”

The food barely makes it down my throat. “That will be a difficult commute.”

“I’ll probably leave London. It’s not like there is anything really tying me here.” She speaks the words with such ease, completely dismissing Elise and me.

I playfully clutch my heart. “You wound me with your cold words.”

She looks up at me with regret. “I didn’t mean it like that. But I’m blowing through my savings living here. If I don’t get a job, I’ll be homeless soon. I need to be smart and practical.”

“I can give you some money if you need it.”

I thought my job and wealth would impress Brynn, but upon learning about it, she looked utterly unbothered.

She vigorously shakes her head from side to side. “I couldn’t ask you to do that. I’m sure I’ll find something. At this point, I’ll do anything.”

I’d offer her a job at my company, but mixing her and Savannah is asking for a disaster. Brynn doesn’t exactly know about Savannah and our tragic love story. But as we eat dinner, I wonder if it is worth the risk. It’s nice having Brynn around. If only I had a way to keep her here every day.

And then the idea comes to me.

I wait until Brynn is saying goodbye to Elise when I feign receiving a call. I excuse myself to my office, where I sit in silence for a few minutes. Then, with fake worry, I descend the stairs.

“What’s wrong?” she asks.

“Maria’s broken her leg.”

“Oh no. How did that happen?”

“She fell down the stairs.” I look at Elise. “What am I going to do? How am I supposed to vet a new nanny? By the time I complete a background check and get an NDA sorted, Maria will be fit again. I won’t be able to work.” I rub my face. “The board is going to be so vexed because we’re meant to be preparing for a new big client.”

Apprehension takes control of her face. She looks between me and Elise for a few moments before she throws in the towel. “Maybe I can help?”

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