Page 41 of On Her Terms

“Sounds good to me,” Summer says, her eyes narrowing in on us, like she can see right through me, see how much I like this guy. He pours us each a glass and heads back to the table. I can’t seem to tear my eyes from him as he goes.

“Look how happy Granddad is,” Summer says, lowering her voice for my ears only. She gives me a nudge. “I think the news of your engagement added years to his life.”

As I think about that, think about the sparkle in his eyes tonight, I can’t help but wonder if it’s because of me. Now that I’m engaged, has it put his worries to rest, given him new life? God, if so, how the hell am I ever going to tell him the truth? Worry gnaws at my gut. Worry for Granddad’s health. For the things I’m starting to feel for Luca.

“Yeah, I know. He’s full of life tonight, isn’t he?”

She takes a sip of wine and sighs. “You’re never going to be able to tell him the truth.”

My gaze flashes to hers, takes in her grin. “I have to tell him, Summer. This is all just pretend.”

Her gaze goes from me to Luca, who’s laughing with Tate and Granddad, and then back to me again. “Are you sure about that?”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Luca

I’M NOT SURE what Brianna and Summer are talking about, but from the way my pretend fiancée is fiddling with the top button on her blouse, I’d guess it’s something unsettling, and probably something about this situation we’ve all found ourselves in. I’m a little troubled by it myself and I’m not sure how I can just walk away once the wedding is over. I care about this family, but I’ve been keeping secrets from them, too. How would they feel about me if they found out I was a duke, with an agenda laid out for me, one I must follow for my family’s sake?

“Fill me up,” Granddad says and sets his glass on the table with a thud. I exchange a look with Tate and he just shrugs. At this point in his life, the man’s blood is half brandy, so I guess a few more glasses won’t hurt him.

Pushing from the chair, I grab the brandy bottle and spill a bit into his glass. When I sit again, Brianna and Summer join us and set an old game of Snakes and Ladders on the table.

“Where did you ever find this?” I ask. The game takes me back to my childhood and the happy days I spent playing with my brother. I miss those times. I miss my family.

“At the lodge. They let us borrow a few for tonight,” Summer says.

“We used to play this all the time when we were young, Bri,” Tate says, and a smile comes over her. A warm, soft smile that curls around me, pinches my heart. I hate that her father left when she was young and her mother checked out. At least she had Tate and her granddad. But her time with them has been scarce with her long work hours, James hounding her about marriage—even though he only has her best interests at heart—and Tate spending more and more of his time with his soon-to-be wife.

Tate unpacks the game and hands out pieces. “The oldest goes first, I believe,” James says as he scoops up the dice and tosses them onto the board. He moves his piece and slides up a ladder. “I always did like this game.”

“Watch him. He cheats,” Tate says, and we all laugh.

Indignant, James lifts his head. “I do not. You’re just sore because you can never beat me.”

Soon enough we’re all laughing and playing, and I glance at Brianna, take in the smile on her face. She’s in her element here, surrounded by family. Just like I knew she would be. She might be cynical, but deep down this is what she wants, and this is what she should have. If only we could have it together.

I let my mind go for a second, envision sweet Brianna as my duchess. It’s a role where she could do the charity work she wants, become more involved in projects that interest her and benefit society. Then again does she even want more with me? She’s given me no in

dication.

What the hell am I saying?

I can’t have more with her. If I don’t follow through with my father’s stipulations, my family could lose everything. I could never do that to my mother. I work to block out those disheartening thoughts, and when my turn comes up, I roll the dice and hit a ladder. I climb it and land on the same square as James.

“Oh, it’s on,” I say to him, and he waves a gnarled hand at me, as if to shoo me away.

“Beginner’s luck,” he says. “Nothing more.”

“This isn’t the first time I’ve played,” I tell him.

“First time you’ve played with me.”

As I look at James, my thoughts stray to Uncle Gio. He told me once that arranged marriages weren’t so bad, it was done all the time in the past and that my bride would serve me well. I want to take my place, live up to my responsibilities, I just can’t do it with a woman I don’t love by my side. If only I could get the stipulation removed. If only there was a way around it. Maybe Uncle Gio could help me find some grounds to contest it. A seed of hope blooms inside of me, and I draw in a deep breath.

Brianna rolls the dice and her groan pulls my focus back to the game at hand when she hits a snake and slides down.

“I don’t think I like this game anymore,” she says, and I stand to refill her wine. Without thinking, I lean down and press my lips to her cheek, and when I stand again, all sets of eyes are on me.

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