Page 21 of Say You're Mine

“You will; she's going to love you.”

Right, I’m not so sure about that one. His mom sounds sweet, but I’m not the country girl next door. What would his parents think of me if Eros and I really became something? Even his friends. Eros is down to earth, but the world he plays in isn’t. I already experienced a taste of it at Gabriella and Caleb's wedding.

“Wait, did you forget something?” I ask when we turn on the same street as the office. I hadn’t thought to ask where he lives.

“I live here.”

“At the office?”

“Top floor.” Eros pulls around back. A white garage door opens, and he pulls inside. The light flicks on to reveal a row of about five stalls. He drives past them. Another garage door opens, and he pulls into it. The door closes behind us.

“Holy crap, Batman!” I gasp as we begin to rise. “You have a car elevator?”

“I couldn’t help myself.” I burst into laughter. If you have an abundance of money, what else would you do with it? As soon as I sense a halt, a door unexpectedly opens before us.

“Am I looking into your living room?”

“I call it the sitting room.”

“Shut up.” I smack his arm.

“I’ll get your bags.” I get out of the car, walking into his place. Eros is right behind me. “Close the lift door, Alectrona.” I watch as the door closes and then seals. It’s the coolest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

“Holy crap. You can’t even really see that it’s a door once it's closed.” I run my fingers along the wall. “This place is definitely a step up from mine. I mean, I bet you don’t have Pop-Tarts and all, but?—"

“There are two remaining boxes of strawberry Pop-Tarts and one of S'mores.”I stop moving and glance around.The fuck?I mouth to Eros.

“That’s Alectrona.”

“The goddess of the sun is Siri 2.0 in your home?”

“Alectrona, this is Lev Valentina. She’ll have full access to the building to come and go as she pleases. Make sure she is added. You’ll find any additional information you need on her in her company file.”

“I will get it added. Welcome, Ms. Valentina.”

“Thanks, ah, just call me Lev.”

“Lev it is. Is there anything else you require?”

“No, Alectrona. Sleep mode,” Eros says. “Now she won’t answer random questions. It’s only ever me here, so I leave it on most of the time.” I swear I’ve been transported to a different universe.

“That’s insane, you know.”

“It is. I did some work for a tech genius. We traded skills, and now I have Alectrona.” That is pretty cool but also a reminder that we come from two different worlds. Hell, even if Eros was still only a cowboy who lived on a ranch his whole life and roped cattle, we still would be miles apart socially.

“Why Alectrona?”

“Alectrona brings the sun each morning when she opens the curtains and blinds.”

“Oh, we’re by the river. I bet the view is killer.”

“The main reason I bought this place.” I glance around. While everything is new and shiny, there is still a warmth to Eros’s place.

"I was imagining your place would be decorated with all leather and have gray walls." This is definitely not what I was expecting.

"It probably would have been if not for my mom. Come on. Let's get you settled in, and I’ll give you a tour.”

I like the sound of that. A lot… but I can’t help but remind myself that with every good always comes two bads.

---