Page 61 of Tempting All The Way

“I’ll take it. Thanks, bro!” Lucy says, snatching the card out of Xavier’s outstretched hand right before she shoves me into the elevator. The doors close and I sigh in relief. “You do know you’re going to have to get over your little money hang-up if you’re going to spend the rest of your life with that man.”

“I don’t want his money, Lucy,” I say, leaning against the mirrored wall.

“I know that. He knows that. But that’s not going to stop him from wanting to take care of everything financially. He can afford it, trust me. You could go swipe this card at Bugatti and it wouldn’t even make a dent,” she says before adding, “Oh, can we do that, please? It’ll be so fun.”

I look at her like she’s grown two heads. “No. Absolutely not.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

I’m tempted to run after Shardonnay and sort this little argument out now. I don’t though. Maybe my sister can talk some sense into her. Shardonnay needs to understand I don’t see it as my money anymore. She’s my partner in life. Whatever I have is hers. I don’t know how to convince her that I’m not trying to buy her. I’ve held back from buying her allthe things I want to give her, because I didn’t want to cause arguments or have her running in the opposite direction.

I can’t even pretend to understand what her hang-ups with money are; it’s not something I’ve ever had to worry about. Which makes me privileged—I get that. But I can’t control what family I was born into, any more than she can.

I pull out my phone and send her a message, because I can’t keep pacing the foyer thinking she’s out there pissed off at me.

Me:

I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you upset.

I press send and continue with my compulsive steps. My phone vibrates in my hand. She’s calling me. “Shardonnay, I’m sorry,” I answer.

“It’s okay, Xavier. I’m not upset. We’ll talk about it when I get home later. Stop pacing the foyer and go do something. Relax. Call Nathan or Alistair and meet them for a drink or something.”

“How did you know I was pacing the foyer?” I ask her.

“I know you,” she says.

“I don’t like fighting with you. I mean, I love bantering, but I hate it when you’re actually pissed at me.”

“That wasn’t a fight, and I’m not pissed at you. So stop stressing.”

“Okay, do me a favour though? Make sure my sister stays far away from any car dealerships while she’s holding my card hostage.”

“Oh, she’s insistent on going to Bugatti, so I should stop her?” she asks.

“Yes, stop her. Unless the car is for you, then go ahead and buy whatever you want,” I say.

“Okay, well, I don’t need a car. I have the hottest chauffeur to drive me to work every day already. I love you. Now go hangout with your friends or do something for yourself.”

“I will. Call me if you need anything.”

“Mmhmm, I will. Bye.”

“See you soon.” I end the call, feeling a little better. I know she says it wasn’t a fight, but I’d hate to see what a full-blown argument feels like if that wasn’t one.

I send the guys a message, asking if either of them want to meet for a drink. Alistair says he’s busy while Nathan replies with a:Thank God. Yes, I’m in.

I’ve been sitting here for an hour, listening to Nathan complain about Bentley, then moan and bitch about her leaving the firm. I don’t know what’s happened between the two of them, but they need to sort their shit out.

“Mate, if you want her to stay so much, make her an offer she can’t refuse,” I tell him.

“Like what? She’s already the best paid first-year to date,” he grumbles.

“So offer her more benefits… I don’t know. Offer her a transfer into Alistair’s department.”

“She doesn’t want to specialise in family law; she wants corporate,” he says.

“She is good at it. Maybe I should offer her a position with Christianson Industries.”

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