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He snorted and shook his head as he stood up. “No. I just beat Solitaire.”
“You’ve been back here playing Solitaire?” I stared at him, equal parts annoyed and amused. “I thought you were back here doing CEO things. Making power plays. Ordering yachts.”
“Not the whole time,” he said, moving to sit on the edge of the desk and folding his arms. “I’ve been going through contracts and checking emails, too.”
“Multitasking. Impressive.” I reached for my bag, rummaging around for some Advil because my head was starting to pound. Without a word, West handed me the water bottle he’d been drinking from. I took it, grateful but trying not to show it.
“So…” he started slowly. “Is Aiden going to be a problem?”
I nearly choked on the water, spluttering as I tried to keep it from spraying everywhere. “Aiden?” I laughed, wiping my mouth. “God, no. Aiden is definitely not a problem.”
He tilted his head slightly, waiting.
“We’ve hooked up a few times,” I shrugged. “It’s not his fault he didn’t know the plans changed. Honestly, you’re smartenough to know that already. So maybe the question is, is Aiden going to be a problem for you?”
West gave a dry snort, lips twitching with something attempting to be a smirk but didn’t quite make it. It wasn’t humor, it was a deflection. One of many I’d noticed from him.
“I need to head back to Atlanta tomorrow morning,” he said, smoothly changing the subject. “Some things need my attention before Monday since I will apparently be in Virginia Beach, but I’ll be back tomorrow night. I know you normally work late Saturdays, but we should probably make time to sit down and get our story straight before we’re locked in a metal tube with my grandparents.”
“I thought the story was straight,” I said, eyes narrowing. “We did this on a whim. We’re still getting to know each other. A couple of crazy kids caught up in a moment.”
He held up his hands in surrender. “You’re not wrong. But Sunday’s always been the day we do family dinners. That was going to be when I told them. And something tells me my grandparents are going to see straight through my bullshit.”
“They always do,” I muttered, mostly thinking about my dad. I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder while I added loud enough for him to hear, “We’ve got someone else we can call to cover the bar. Mandy usually helps when one of us is sick or we’re slammed. She can take my spot behind the bar tomorrow and Sunday. I’ll let Tuffy know to expect her.”
West nodded. “Good. Anything you need, just make it happen.”
We walked together toward the door, the heavy silence between us oddly companionable. He locked the office, and we made our way through the hallway. Outside, Marshal and Marcus were still parked in the exact spots they’d been in all day, unmoving, like overly loyal gargoyles in suits.
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
We all did what we had to do to make it. Some of us poured shots. Some of us chauffeured fake newlyweds around in black SUVs. It wasn’t their fault West was pretentious.
West hovered near me as I got to my car, his hand brushing the small of my back, but never quite landing. It was the kind of gesture that felt more protective than possessive, and that, somehow, made it worse.
“I think I’m gonna take my fancy ride home tonight,” I said as I turned to face him.
West looked over at Marshal, then back at me. “You sure?”
I nodded. “Yeah. My car will be fine here while I do my wifely duties.”
He didn’t argue. Just stepped aside and held a hand up for me to head toward the waiting SUV. Marshal took some silent cue from West and moved directly into the driver’s seat. West opened my door and helped me into the car, barely touching me. It was like he was afraid I’d change my mind and run.
But I knew I needed to get into character. I needed to get used to the mode of transportation that West thought was necessary.
Once I slid into the backseat and West shut the door, Marshal glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “Home?”
“Please,” I said politely, already feeling like maybe I should have just driven myself. I was so out of place being driven home from a dive bar.
We pulled away, and I leaned against the window, watching Harmony Haven blur past in streaks of gold and black. Streetlights, storefronts, trees I’d known since childhood. Everything looked the same. But I didn’t feel the same.
I was supposed to hate West Brooks.
I wanted to hate him.
He was controlling, arrogant, and infuriating. He took from me the only thing I’d ever wanted—even if he had no idea yet.Andthenhe took the bar. Now I was mixed up playing ‘house’ with him just to gain a little control over my life.
Damn him. But also… I didn’t hate him.
