Page 104 of Hawthorne

“Oh!Little Milla?See? He has a nickname for you and everything! I am sending this right now!”

The video stops abruptly, freezing on Vicent’s face and upper body. He has a frown on his face and dishevelled hair, and the area under his eyes is heavily darkened with eyebags. It’s a high contrast to how fit his torso is in comparison, clashing with the tired look on his face.

He’s got a prominent chest and abs and a defined V that lowers to his hips, hiding in the grey sweatpants’ waistband. Such eye-candy.

Too much too soon, the screen turns black, ending the mouth-watering image of him. A sigh escapes my lips as I watch a sleepy Primrose, half-laying on my legs and the other half lying on the couch. All the moments we shared assault my brain, leaving me with a fuzzy stomach and a hyperactive heart.

I miss him.

A lot more than I should because there’s still a voice in the back of my mind, telling me he doesn’t. Telling me that I am not that important, nor will I ever be.

31

Camilla White

Edgar

He’s been a miserable bastard these past weeks, sweetheart. You’ve got to come back soon. Otherwise, I’ll get my arse locked up for murder.

I can’t help the smile that forces its way onto my face at the sight of Edgar’s text. Could he have gotten it from Vincent’s phone? He is a sleaze ball most of the time, but he’s been keeping me entertained with all of the funny texts and videos of a grumpy Vincent.

Camilla

Tomorrow I’ll be there after you and your mother are gone.

The pictures have been quite funny. The best of them all was a badly done selfie, with Edgar with a smug smile on his face, looking at the camera and Vincent grabbing him by the collar with an angered face.

The caption said, “I have poked the bear” and I was laughing at it for five minutes straight. Edgar is honestly the worst and most annoying brother one could have. But he is one funny and amazing friend.

Edgar

You wound me with those words. I’d like to think you miss me, too. Not just the old grumpy duke.

His answer is almost immediate, and I can’t help but chuckle.

“Who are you texting?” Rachel peeks from over my shoulder, and I can’t help but move to hide my phone. Still, she looks fast enough to see the name of the person who keeps texting me.

“Edgar Hawthorne?” She quirks an eyebrow as she rounds the couch and sits next to me. Primrose quickly jumps from my lap to hers, begging for her attention as well. “The duke’s little brother? Are you two a thing or what?”

I gasp, surprised at her bluntness, and start shaking my head right away.

“Edgar and I are really good friends, but that’s it. Platonic only,” I answer, even though I don’t need to give her any explanation. “Also, it’d be wrong to get involved with my boss’s brother.”

I have to swallow to get those words out.What a hypocrite.Because I am doing more than wrong. I am not getting involved with Edgar; I am bedding my boss.

“Wrong is letting tasty pieces of snacks like those two brothers go to waste,” she trails off before looking at me with a mischievous smile. “I’d go for it if I were you!”

“And risk getting fired?”

Idiot. I can’t even be fired by him, thanks to Aunt Lizzie.

“Cami,” she calls me pointedly, “It’s not like you don’t have a degree sitting in your drawer. You graduated with honours. Every company would have you. All you have to do is leap.”

I sigh but don’t answer, and she continues, “I wouldn’t blame you, girl. He is hot as hell.” Her gaze softens as she bumps my shoulder with hers. “However, I don’t think the duke would like the idea of you being around his little brother much, either.”

“Thank you for the words, but I am not ready to leave the manor.”

“Of course not,” Rachel tuts, side-eyeing me. “As if you could ever be ready to abandon that man.”

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