Page 24 of The Heiress's First Date

The elevator gives a cheery ding as it levels out and the doors whoosh open.

“Come on.” He slings an arm around my shoulders and tugs me out of the elevator. “We agreed to date her, right? But if she picked one of us, the other would lose out. Not just on that relationship, but?—”

He doesn’t finish the sentence, but I hear what he’s trying to say. We’d miss out on time with each other.

Nodding, I swallow. “This is better.”

“Of course this is better. No one’s the third wheel.”

“Right.”

“I like you for her. You’re adventurous. A total yes-man. You understand better than anyone how much she needs that in her life.”

I drop the ball in a chair and head for the kitchen. After tossing him a bottle of water, I twist the cap off mine and down half of it.

He leans against the massive island, backlit by the early morning light.

“I don’t feel good enough for her,” I admit, then finish my bottle.

He watches me like I’m a puzzle. A ripple of awareness shimmers below my skin. I wouldn’t admit that to anyone but him, but we don’t have secrets. In fact, it’s pointless for me to try to keep a secret from him.

He sees right through them. I can bullshit my way through interviews, convince the world I’m completely confident, but Alex knows the truth. He knows my weaknesses.

And he’s never once held them against me.

In fact, he’s just the opposite. Shoring them up. Heading off vulnerabilities. Boosting me when I need a leg up.

Which is why, as much as I like Katherine, I’d walk away in a heartbeat if it meant ruining my friendship with Alex.

“You’ve got a voice in your head you need to squash,” he says, cocking his head. “Is this about Henry?”

I shrug. I’m honestly not sure where the doubt comes from. But it’s like a bumble bee in the back of my mind, buzzing. Driving me crazy with its never-ending chatter.

“Is it the age difference?”

“Maybe.” I crush the bottle and toss it in the recycling bin.

“Well, she’s not dating you for your money.”

“So it’s my pretty face?” I grin at him, and he laughs.

“Doubt it. Kingston’s gonna win that battle.”

“Thanks.” I stare at him for a long moment, and my heart presses against my rib cage. “I’m serious though.” I wave a finger between us. “I won’t do anything to endanger our friendship.”

He straightens to his full height, shoulders back, water bottle in one hand. He clamps a hand over my shoulder. “Neither will I.”

I nod because I need his reassurance like a child needs his favorite blanket. He tugs me into a hug.

“I’m sorry for being emotional,” I murmur. “I slept like crap.”

The sectional is great in theory, but we need an actual bed with enough space for all of us.

He gives me a squeeze. “There’s no need to apologize.”

“I don’t know what I’d do without you.” My voice breaks. I’m such a sap.

“You’re not going to find out.”

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