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We head to the upper deck, the cool sea breeze ruffling Lacey's hair, making her even more beautiful.
We stand at the edge, overlooking the Hudson Bay and the city beyond, a stunning backdrop for this moment of closeness. Lacey leans against the railing, taking in the breathtaking view.
"This is unreal," she murmurs.
I wrap my arms around her from behind, chin on her shoulder. "Better than a balcony or terrace?" I whisper.
She laughs, looking back at me. "Definitely better. The 'youngins’ approve."
"And would the youngin like a moment alone with the sky and her sketchbook?" I nod towards the rising moon over the cityscape.
Her eyes light up. "Yes, please." She heads to the front of the boat, sketchbook in hand.
I watch her sit cross-legged on the deck, flipping to a blank page.
The moonlight softens her features as she begins to sketch the skyline.
Removing my suit jacket, I sit next to her, inhaling the berry scent of her skin mixed with the salty air. For the next ten minutes, I stay silent, simply enjoying her presence and the peacefulness of the moment.
I can't recall the last time I just sat down, being fully present without distractions or the nagging thoughts of work. But with Lacey beside me, the world fades into the background, leaving just the two of us and the night's beauty.
I close my eyes, tuning into the soft scratches of her pencil on paper, punctuated by her gentle sighs. When I open them again, she's captured the city skyline in her sketch, moonlight dancing on the water.
I look down at Lacey's page. "Jesus, woman, you are talented."
She looks up at me with a smile. "The view is perfect. And this is just a hobby. Nothing serious."
"Well, you should definitely do more than just 'hobby' with it," I tell her. "And I saw you. At the gala. Standing there looking like a sexy golden statute." She laughs breathily and I keep going, my tone lowering as I realize something. "Before you started working, you started a fashion internship, and that ended early. Why?"
"Oh, that," Lacey says with a shrug, her long lashes covering her eyes as she focuses on her drawing again. "Just wasn't the right fit for them, I guess."
I exhale. "Bullshit."
Lacey glances up, eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"
"That's a lie. I've seen the way you draw, the way you have an eye for shapes and movement. You could take over the industry if you wanted to." I pause. "And people love you. If that internship ended early, it wasn't because of the company. It was because of you."
Brows slanting, Lacey's expression hardens. Under the soft light from the boat's lanterns, her golden skin pales. She pushes up on her feet, coming to a stand. "I don't know what you're talking about. You're mistaken." She hesitates, before adding in a whisper: "Leave it alone."
My pulse pounds in my throat as I glance at the now stern look on Lacey's face. Crossing her arms, sketchbook in hand, she looks angry. And beautiful. And stubborn, just like me.
I stand too, facing her. "Don't tell me to leave it alone. You wouldn't be as angry as you are right now unless there was more to the story."
She shakes her head, her curls dancing. "It's the past."
"You can't just brush it off like that. You have so much talent and potential, Lacey. It's a waste to just give up on it."
"I haven’t.”
"Then, what happened?"
"It's personal!" she explodes, then softer, "Let it go. I'm here, working for you, aren't I?"
I catch her hand. "No, it does matter. You matter." I pause, my grip tightening. "And I know you're not one to just give up on something without a fight. And if someone is trying to silence you or hold you back, I'll be goddamned if I'm going to let them." My jaw pulses. "Even if that person is you."
Lacey meets my gaze, then looks away. "It's complicated, Aidan."
I close the distance, heart pounding. "Then I'll make it simple." I swallow, my mouth suddenly dry. "I'm in love with you, Lacey Alvarez. I am. And I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm kind of invested in you. In your well-being, in your happiness, in your dreams." I can feel my words tumbling out, raw and unfiltered. "So... whatever it is that you're fighting, whatever it is that's eating away at you, then I'm going to fight alongside you. Let me help you push through it."
