Page 49 of How to Break My Heart
“C’mon, there’s truth to what I said, so don’t lie,” she gloats, relaxing in my hold.
I pull away, but only slightly, to look her in the eye. “I never denied it, and I’m the first to admit relationships aren’t something I think about. Work has been my life. It’s who I am. It defines me. There’s no time for this romantic… whatever you want to call it.”
She presses her lips together with satisfaction, only to respond with, “The billionaire knows what he wants.”
I bring her body back into alignment with mine, avoiding her critical stare. “I sense judgment in your tone.”
“It’s your life, Aston. Who am I to tell you how to live? If it makes you happy, then kudos to you.”
It doesn’t make me happy.
It doesn’t bring me joy.
It satisfies something within me I’m unable to explain. It’s a life I am forced into, so there’s no choice but to find satisfaction in making billions of dollars. It’s not exactly like I can quit and play lacrosse. The dream of following a passion has long died.
“And areyouhappy?” I question her.
Everleigh turns away to stare blankly atCarol and Eunice. Then, she sighs “What is happiness, anyway?”
The song comes to an end before Carol places down her cello. “I think it’s the perfect song choice. The two of you looked like a bride and groom on their wedding day.”
Everleigh lets go of me in a rush, as if reality has slapped her firmly in the face. “Oh, we had to play the part, right?”
I watch her avoid my gaze and see how her body language tells me something has gotten to her. Unlike moments ago when she was relaxed in my hold, her expression is pensive as she folds her arms, keeping her distance.
Carol and Eunice wait quietly for the green light, but Everleigh doesn’t say a word.
“My sister will love it. Can you email me the details, and we’ll get the invoice paid?” I reach out and grab Everleigh’s hand. “Let’s go.”
Outside in the driveway, Everleigh struggles to keep up. “Why are you rushing us?”
“You looked uncomfortable,” I tell her, honestly.
“Iwasuncomfortable. They thought we were in love or something.”
I pause beside the car. “And you’re scared of love, romance?”
“Why are you so hung up on that?” She tilts her head with furrowed brows. “You said you’re not looking for a relationship.”
“I’ve spent my life around women who are so infatuated with relationships and meeting the right person. I’m finding it hard to grasp you’re not like everyone else. Not to mention your best friend is getting married. Doesn’t that evoke some sort of biological ticking clock?”
“I’mnotlike everyone else,” Everleigh responds sharply. “I would like to settle down one day, but I’m not looking for it. I want to have fun. What’s wrong with that? It doesn’t make me coldhearted or against romance.”
A smirk reaches my lips. “Fun is open for interpretation when you’re an adult.”
Everleigh crosses her arms, keeping her gaze focused on me. “Okay, so I’ll admit it. Sex is fun if it’s with the right person. It’s not my fault the last two guys were duds.”
The thought of other men touching her brings on a state of unrest. I glance away to calm my agitation, then say, “But you’re the common denominator.”
She slaps my arm, catching my attention. “I am not the dud! I want a man who makes me feel like vanilla isn’t the only flavor out there.”
I raise my brows, pausing to examine her face. So, thebeautiful woman standing before me doesn’t like vanilla. Howveryinteresting.
I open my mouth to question her, but she quickly interrupts. “We should head back. I have to run a few errands, then close up at three. Billie has an appointment with her mom, so it’s just me.”
Everleigh doesn’t allow me to say anything, impatiently waiting for me to unlock the car. When the car beeps,she opens the door and takes a seat.
She stares quietly out the window on our drive back to town. Not long into our ride, her phone pings with a text message. Everleigh quickly reads it, but almost as if she’s been caught doing something she isn’t supposed to, she rushes to put her phone back in her coat pocket.
