Page 16 of Dream Girl Drama

Based on her pinched expression, she’d overheard every word of their conversation. “Harvey has told me everything about his past, just in case you think he’s keeping secrets from me. He’s not. We have been open books with each other.” Sig highly doubted that, but God, she was speaking with so much confidence. “On the off chance there is anything to find out, my lawyers will find it as they craft the prenup. They’re very protective of me.”

Sig didn’t doubt it.

He also didn’t doubt they would find something. More than what Harvey had told Sofia.

It was only a matter of time, right?

Maybe this marriage would never take place at all.

Hope expanded his ribs for the first time in an hour.

“I’m glad you have people looking out for your best interests,” Sig said, ignoring his father’s snort.

“If only we could say the same for my daughter.”

Sig drew back at Sofia’s dry comment. “Come again?”

Her head tipped left. “Give me a little credit, Sig. I have eyes. I doubt you’ve volunteered to play Chloe’s host in Boston purely out of the goodness of your heart.” She sipped her drink extra slowly while the implication sunk in, finally bringing the glass down to her hip. “This is your last chance to leave alone, the way you arrived. Your last chance to consider how an... unconventional relationship might affect your career. Not to mention the life I’ve built for Chloe. Look around. You don’t think she’ll wish to return to this sooner or later?”

Sig almost caved. Because, yeah. Fuck. He’d been so bowledover by Chloe and how she made him feel, he hadn’t stopped to consider that maybe he was causing damage by taking her away, instead of helping her enrich her music career. Her life. But then he glanced back at Chloe over his shoulder and saw the determined set of her shoulders, the added confidence in her jawline. Her aura of optimism. How could keeping this person with him, near him, be bad? What was he supposed to do? Leave her there and simply hope their parents drifted apart naturally? Leave...themto chance?

Can’t do it.

He’d make sure their relationship stayed aboveboard. He’d do nothing to cause her harm. Not to her life or career. Not to his, either.

He’d find the willpower to keep himself in check.

“If Chloe wants to come home, I’ll drive her back here myself,” Sig said gruffly, backing away. “Bye, Dad. Great seeing you, as usual.” Once he reached the truck, he set Chloe’s bag in the middle cab and skirted around the front bumper to open the passenger-side door for her. Once in, she tested the cracked leather seat and looked around, sniffing the air, obviously used to getting into the back of freshly scented limousines, instead of beat-up trucks with a smelly hockey bag in the back. Would she change her mind at the first sign that she was leaving this ultrawealth behind? Because he could give her comfort, safety, and new experiences, but he couldn’t give her this palace overlooking the water.

But then she beamed a smile at Sig, gave him a thumbs-up, and he told himself never to underestimate her again. As of now, she was leaving that kind of treatment in the rearview. “Let’s get you to Boston, Chlo,” he said a moment later when he started the truck. “Right after we stop at the club and pay off your champagne bill.”

“You’re going to pay it?”

“As long as they’ll take a check.”

“They do! Hooray!”

And he told himself to never underestimate Chloe’s ability to spend money, either.

No, he’d learnallabout that in the coming months.

“Is there a Sephora in Boston?” she breathed. “I’ve always wanted to go to one.”

What the hell was that? He shrugged. “Probably.”

It wouldn’t be long until he knew more about Sephora than hockey.

More about the harp than fixing trucks.

More about Chloe than he knew about himself.

He’d love every goddamn second of it, too.

Even if he could only love her from a safe distance.

For now.

“Sig,” Chloe said quietly.

---