Page 18 of The Forbidden
I groan. “Does that mean Theo will be joining us?” My lip curls into a snarl just at the thought of my sister’s…partner? I refuse to call him a boyfriend when he’s over the age of thirty.
My father chuckles, shaking his head. “Of course. And I expect you to behave. Thalia doesn’t need the added stress of you fighting with Theo.”
I roll my eyes. I love my sister, I really do, but my parents treat her like she’s a baby. It’s an ongoing joke between me and my other sister Aria, that Thalia is the favorite.
Though, honestly, I do believe there is some truth in it.
“I can’t promise I won’t get a couple of jabs in. I mean Theo makes it too easy.” My dad gives me that look, and I relent. “Fine. I’ll play nice. Just for the weekend though.”
He rises out of his chair, smoothing his charcoal-colored tie. “Good. Aria’s coming in this afternoon to work on her new collection. If you need me, I’ll be in my office with my grandson.”
The smile on his face is wide. My parents are besotted with my nephew Baron. From the moment he was born, they’vebeen hands on grandparents. And I can’t even blame them. The kid’s cute.
Aria got knocked up by her bodyguard, during a trip to Italy. But when Thalia was abducted, Bishop vanished before Aria could tell him she was pregnant. It wasn’t until a year later, when he saw her in a magazine with Baron, that Bishop reappeared. Now they’re married, with another baby on the way.
“I’ll stop in to see him,” I call after him as he leaves
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. The thought of going back to my office, of having to deal with the brat, drains me of all energy.
My jaw tightens again.
No. I won’t let that brat get to me.
So with a sharp exhale, I square my shoulders and head back to my office.
Chapter 10
Anais
Tuesday evening, I meet Lana for a much-needed Pilates class.
I figure it was time. I needed an outlet to release some of the pent-up stress building inside me.
“How’s it going with Evan?” Lana asks, as we step into the studio.
I sigh. “Same old. He won’t give me an inch. Still hasn’t even acknowledged the lunch.” I turn to her.
She chuckles. “I can’t believe you keep fucking with his food. I’d bet my left tit, that throws his cool, calm and collected off balance.”
“Left tit?” I arch a brow, laugh. “You’d think. But nope. Not once has he mentioned it. Every day, I wait for that door to open, with bated breath… and nothing.”
“Maybe, he likes the little addition,” she teases.
I snort. “Highly doubt it. The guy’s a total health nut…” I trail off, my mind drifting. I groan. “God, I can only imagine what he’s hiding under those clothes.” Arousal coils low in my stomach.
“Maybe he’s overcompensating. Micro dick or something,” Lana jokes.
“Unlikely. I’ve seen the outline of his dick and there is nothing micro about it. The man is perfection.” My voice turns serious, quiet. “This has to work.”
We claim our reformers. I wait, the silence stretching between us.
“I don’t know, Nais,” she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Maybe it’s just not meant to be. You’ve been holding onto this thing with Evan for so long. Don’t you thinkit’s time you put that energy into someone else? It hurts seeing you like this.”
I swallow hard, defeat swimming heavy in my gut. I get it. I do. But she doesn’t understand, not fully. Maybe it’s delusional. Maybe it’s desperate. But Evan’s it for me. Somehow, I know he feels it, too. He might be fighting it, but no one can resist forever.
“I’ve tried. I’ve dated. But it never works out,” I admit. “Because they’re not him.”
She gives me a soft smile, full of warmth and free of judgment. “Come on. Class is starting. Afterward we’ll grab some dinner, and you can tell me everything.”
