Page 87 of Untethered Heart
“What about photos being taken? Won’t people ask questions about who I am to you and the fact that we’re working together?”
I take a deep breath, understanding that whenever I’m seen with a woman, the press does like to do a deep dive on who they are. At this point, the first headline they go for is,Will he finally settle down?Well, that’s an easy yes, but if anyone looks into Lex, I’m sure they’ll find her connection to Legacy Malt and, in turn, mine. I lean over to put my coffee mug on the table beside us, then bring Lex’s face to mine.
“Hey. They can say whatever they want. We know what’s true. If shit hits the fan about our working relationship, we can turn the focus on Smoke and Barrel. That’s the real reason our business relationship came about.”
Lex chews her lip with worry, and I want to erase all her doubts. I take her coffee and put it on the table with mine, then ease her around and lift her so she’s straddling my lap.
Her hands land on my chest while mine frame her face. I run my thumbs over the freckles scattered on the apples of her cheeks.
“You mean more to me than any woman has in my entire life. You are the blood that flows through my veins and makes my heart beat. I could be scared of the intense way that you make me feel. But the truth is, I get so damn excited by the thought of you that I forget to question it. You make everything so good, and I just want to enjoy it. I want to make you feel just as happy as you make me.”
A single tear spills down her cheek, and I quickly swipe it away.
“Selfishly, you turn me into a pathetic sap who can’t handle a night away from his girlfriend,” I say with a smile as I stare into her pretty grey eyes.
She laughs as two more tears fall free, then buries her face into my chest before I can wipe them away, and cuddles into me.
“Whatever happens, I promise we’ll always be okay.”
“I’ll be yours, if you’ll be mine.” She says the words right against my heart.
Chapter forty-two
“Thanks so much for staying open later for us, Claire,” Isabelle says in the chair beside me while Maeghen, Claire’s new assistant manager, straightens her ringlets.
“Oh, anything for a friend.” Claire smiles as she dusts blush over my cheek. “All those extra zeroes Mr Millionaire promised me also helped.”
“Baby, we’re billionaires,” Beth says.
She’s sitting next to Isabelle, sipping champagne. Her warm brown hair is pin-straight, and her green eyes that match Caleb’s are defined with heavy black liner, making them look fierce and striking.
“But I don’t mind if my brother wants to pick up the bill for me this time.” She smirks as she meets my eye in the mirror and winks.
As soon as I agreed to attend the ball with Caleb, I messaged Gen to make sure I could have the night off. She even swapped my shift last night and had me finish at midnight instead of three, so I wouldn’t be too tired tonight.
I stayed at my own place last night, which Caleb sulked about, but I wanted to have my car with me since I had a full day of shopping planned. I was getting ready to leave just after nine when there was a knock on my door, and I found Isabelle, Beth,and Beth’s friend, Tenley, waiting for me. Tenley, as in Tenley Callahan, who owns the building where Parlour Tricks resides.
They took me to a studio in the city where one-of-a-kind couture gowns lined the walls. Champagne was served, and we each took a turn on a pedestal, trying on dresses until we found the right one.
Beth chose a black strapless dress that cinched in at her waist and hugged the beautiful curve of her hips. With the full-length lace gloves it came with, she looked every bit the confident woman she portrays.
Tenley picked a dusty purple tulle dress with a sinfully high slit up her thigh. With a satin corset bodice and sheer, off-the-shoulder bell sleeves, she looked like a modern-day maiden. Classic and delicate grace.
“I hope these waves will hold,” Maeghen says as she starts winding Isabelle’s now-straight hair into big Hollywood waves.
“You’re gonna be a total knockout, Iz. Just wait until my brother sees you,” Beth says, bouncing her eyebrows and running her tongue over her teeth.
“Ah, I think he’s going to be more interested in Lex.” She laughs, and her blue eyes fly to mine in a panic.
“I wasn’t talking about that brother.” Beth smirks.
I think we all hear the gulp Isabelle swallows. Claire meets my gaze in the mirror and gives me a face that says she wants to know more. I shrug. I don’t know of anything, but now I’m curious.
“Caleb isn’t interested in anything other than Lex these days. That photo of you from the beach was super cute. Who knew my brother could be such a simp in love?”
“What?” Claire screeches at Beth before looking back at me. “He told you he loves you?”
“No.” I shake my head.
