Page 43 of Always

“It was delivered on Tuesday,” he said. “Let me show it to you, they placed it over by the solarium, though I’m sure you can give me a better suggestion of where to put it.”

Aunt Molly followed Liam out of the room, leaving James and Anika alone. James seemed irritated still, and he immediately said, “So how’s your father’s protege coming along?”

“I wouldn’t call him his protege exactly,” Anika said. “He’s pretty much got control of the place, and as you can imagine, my father isn’t liking that very much.”

“Well that’s alright,” James said. “I’m sure Marco won’t do anything too terrible—as long as he’s trying to impress you.”

Anika stiffened. “I don’t tell him what to do at Bennet Knight,” she said.

“Well, it’s a match everyone can be happy about,” James said bitterly.

“I don’t care if they’re happy or not!” Anika cried. “If I do…if I am with Marco, it will be for my own reasons, not to please my family.”

If anything, James looked even more unhappy to hear this.

“I’m sorry,” he said after a moment. “It’s none of my business.”

“And how about Hannah?” Anika said, trying to keep the tears from her eyes, trying to force her voice into a semblance of calm, of friendly inquiry. “How are things with you two?”

“Hannah is great,” James said dully. “Hannah is fun.”

That was true. Hannah was always bubbly and energetic and infallibly fun. Almost no one would describe Anika as fun.

“I’m glad,” Anika forced herself to say. “She’s a really lovely person.” That part was true at least.

Aunt Molly came back into the room, still praising the beauty of Liam’s new acquisition.

“The simplicity!” she said. “Everyone wants to do too much, Ortega always knows when to stop. Anika, you have to see it, it’s just what you like.”

“I’d better save it for next time,” Anika said. “I have to catch the one o’clock train. Thank you so much for lunch, Liam.”

“Wait,” Molly said, “I thought you had papers to show me?”

“Right,” Anika said, flustered. She had completely forgotten.

“Do you mind if we use the study?” Molly asked Liam. “It shouldn’t take too long.”

“Of course,” Liam said. “James and I can—”

“Actually, I’ve got to go, too,” James said.

He looked as red in the face as Anika.

“Sorry!” Molly said. “We can go over to my place instead, we don’t want to be in the way.”

“No, it’s not that,” James said. “I have to…”

But he trailed off, not saying what he had to do.

“We can talk tomorrow,” Liam said to him, patting him on the shoulder.

“Nice to see you all,” James said, not looking at Anika.

“Bye James!” Aunt Molly said, friendly but still confused as to what exactly was going on.

Once James was out the door, she turned to Anika and said, “Is something—” but Anika cut her off.

“Let’s get to work on this,” she said.

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