Page 117 of One Little Lie
“No, we can’t because I cannot take seeing your puffy, swollen eyes for one more minute. Plus, if Halton pisses off my staff and they quit, I’m going to lose my shit.”
“He’s not that bad.”
“Oh yeah? How do you know? Did you finally call him? Return his phone calls?”
Guilt washes over me, and I stare into my coffee cup again.
“Rylan, please. Please explain to me why, in God’s name, you’re both punishing yourselves?”
The alarm on my phone goes off, and I’m literally saved by the bell.
“Ready? I don’t want to be late to meet Nova.”
Colton sighs but wraps his enormous arms around my back. The Westbrook special.
“Yeah, we can go, but you do realize you’re making my case for never falling in love, right? If love makes you this miserable, count me out.”
“It’s complicated,” I repeat.
“Yeah, yeah, so you’ve said. But from where I stand? The only thing making it complicated is the both of you being too stubborn to actually communicate.”
My shoulders droop because, unfortunately, Colton is one hundred percent correct. And there is nothing I can do about it.
* * *
“That is your sister?” Colton asks with his jaw on the floor.
“Stepsister, but yes. And don’t go getting any ideas, Colton. She’s too fucking good for you, and she’s focused on making a name for herself. She’s not interested in dabbling in Neverland with you, Peter.”
“Jesus, does everyone call me Peter Pan?”
“If the shoe fits.” Lochlan chuckles.
I take a moment to observe him. He’s relaxed with an air of confidence that comes from having money. As the heir to the Bryer Hotel empire, he’s on par with the Westbrooks financially. He also has a straight nose, white teeth, perfect smile, and cocky stance that gives off an ‘I’m sexy but don’t fuck with me’ vibe.
“Nova? Your creative genius is needed over here, love.”
I tilt my head as I watch him. He has an almost British lilt to some of his words, but his affection for his sister is evident. Lochlan catches me staring and flashes me a wink.
“She’s worked her ass off for this and refuses to let me help, so I’m not about to let this bloody asshole distract her.”
Gaping at him, I can’t help but smile. He has that effect on people I’ve noticed. And not just me, but everyone running around the ballroom of his Gramercy Hotel seems to be smitten with him.
I’m still staring at him when Nova flits over to us. She’s about my height, with light brown hair with golden highlights that frame her delicate face. She’s beautiful in a youthful, innocent way. But observing how her eyes dart from one thing to the next, I can tell she’s also brilliant.
“Rylan?” she finally asks, drawing her attention away from the activity in the room.
“Yes. Hi, it’s so nice to meet you.” Holding out my hand, I’m caught off guard when she swats it aside and hugs me tight. She’s strong for such a delicate thing. “Oh, okay.”
“I am so glad Colton suggested you to Loch. I can just tell by your portfolio you’re the one to get my vision for this show. I want the clothes to be the star, obviously, but nature has to play as big a part, too. That’s really important to me. It’s going to be so romantic,” she says dreamily. “Picture the most epic love story known to man played out before your very eyes. That’s what I want you to capture.”
“No pressure or anything though.” Lochlan chuckles. Affection for his sister is evident on his face, and I wonder what their story is. “She’s been obsessed with happily ever afters since she was in middle school.”
Nova rolls her eyes. “How would you know? You were in college when I was in middle school.”
Lochlan shrugs his shoulders. “Someone had to keep an eye on you.” A frown crosses his face, but she ignores him.
“So,” she turns to me and grasps both of my hands in hers, “I have it all planned out. Well, except for the grand gesture at the end. Nothing seems to be quite right. But, I’ll get it. We have a week. It’ll come to me. I hope. Anyway, let’s show you around. We’ve got so much ground to cover.”
