Page 120 of Lucas
Lucas lingers by the table, then returns with two plates, handing me one.
There’s a small pile of olives on the side of his plate. I stare at it, my heart doing a funny little flip.
“I know you don’t like them, so I picked them out of the salad for you so you could eat it,” he says, taking a bite of his food.
“How did you remember that?”
“I remember everything about you, Wifey.” He looks at me, his eyes warm and soft.
I swallow hard, emotion clogging my throat.
“Why didn’t you want to come here?” he asks, studying my face.
“How did you know I didn’t want to?”
“You looked appalled when I agreed to come yesterday. I thought you just didn’t want me with you, that you were trying to hide something, and that only motivated me more to show up.” He chuckles, shaking his head. “But now I see how uncomfortable you are here. You’re witty and sharp-tongued, but here you’re like a shadow of yourself.”
I close my eyes, the truth of his words hitting me like a punch to the gut. “I’ve never felt like I belonged. Anywhere. And her friends, they always zero in on sore spots.”
“Okay, I’m not letting you leave here feeling like this.” He laces his fingers with mine and tugs me forward, determination etched into every line of his handsome face.
“What are you doing?” I whisper, stumbling after him.
“Making them feel as pathetic as they are.” He strides over to the group standing in the corner, snickering about something, and inserts himself into their circle, pulling me with him.
“Hi,” he says, his voice carrying over their chatter. “I’m Lucas Valeur. CEO of Valeur Real Estate.”
He never introduces himself like that. I squeeze his hand, trying to signal him to stop, but he ignores me.
“And you know my wife, Ava.” He smiles at me, pride and affection warming his eyes. “Hard to ignore her. She’s gorgeous, a CEO herself, brilliant. She has it all.” His gaze rakes over my body. “Sometimes I can’t believe I got so lucky.”
Chantal glares at me, naked envy and hostility twisting her features.
“You’re Mick, right?” Lucas turns his attention to the guy, his smile sharp and dangerous.
Mick nods, looking wary.
“Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll make it someday too. Maybe get a haircut first, though, because women aren’t into the homeless look.” Lucas grins.
“He already has a girlfriend.” Chantal spits the words, her voice dripping with venom. “Me.”
“Oh, sorry,” Lucas says, not sounding sorry at all. “I didn’t know. That explains a lot.” He chuckles and turns back to Mick. “See? Your look determines who you attract. If you want to get a woman on Ava’s level, you’ll have to try a little harder. I saw how you were staring at my wife. Just know she’s very much taken.”
Oh God. He really said that? I stare at him, then at them. They all look stunned, mouths hanging open.
Without waiting for a response, we walk away.
I can’t resist glancing back over my shoulder. Chantal looks furious, her face red.
“What did you just do?” I murmur under my breath, equal parts mortified and thrilled.
“Made it clear what they’re worth,” he says. “And what you’re worth. Spoiler alert—you’re not in the same league.”
We keep moving toward the door, my heels clicking on the hardwood.
“And now, if you don’t mind, I’d rather get out of here.” His hand tightens on mine, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on my skin.
I nod, relief flooding through me.
