“My idiot ex is leading a panel about a research I did for him, and now he’s getting the fucking credit,” she blurted.
“What do you mean?” Ilias asked, frowning hard.
“Every project I did at Neptune legally belongs to them… and to Thomas. Because I was stupid and in love, and I signed contracts I didn’t understand. He took it all. He owns it now. And I can’t even say shit.”
She exhaled, angry and exhausted. “Now I’m rebuilding from scratch. This new research on Blue Mind and whales isn’t groundbreaking, but at least it’s mine.”
“You know we’re going to wipe the floor with his smug face, right?” Ilias said. “We speak right after him. If he says anything about you, I’m going full protective mode. Do I have your permission?”
Sofia studied him—his jawline, his sea-damp curls, his sun-warmed skin, and those stupid, honest eyes. Could he really be real?
“Permission granted, sir.” She saluted.
He chuckled and pulled her in tighter. “It’s us against the world, Sober Sofia.”
Her heart skipped, then burned.
Because sitting there, snuggled up to him, with the sun warming their skin and their bodies flush, she knew one thing for sure: She wasn’t just warming up to him. She was catching fire.
26
ILIAS
SAMRA – Saint Levant, Babylone
“So,what’s the real deal between you and Sofia?” Amira asked, slumped on the sofa of the rented house in Coolangatta, the town where Snapper Rocks belonged.
“What do you mean?”
Amira wasn’t one to dig into his personal life, which made the question feel even more serious.
“It’s supposed to be fake, right?” she lowered her voice.
Ilias nodded.
“Then why doesn’t it feel like it? Either you’re both Oscar-level actors—which I know isn’t true because I’ve seen you lie terribly to Mama and Papá—or you’re both falling in love and holding back like two idiots.”
Ilias scratched his stubble. “I don’t know, Amira. It’s... complicated. I’m letting her set the pace. She’s healing after a shitty breakup six months ago with a total asshole who made herlose faith in mankind. I don’t want to be her rebound. I want her to choose me. For me.And when she does, I need her all in.”
Amira nodded thoughtfully. “She already seems like she cares a lot about you.”
He shrugged. “Last night, when she was drunk, she told me that being around me makes her happy. That she loved my smile, my hair, my eyes. Stuff sober Sofia would never say out loud.”
“Drunk people are the most honest. I think she’s crushing hard, but yeah... maybe scared.” She tilted her head. “So your game plan is just... let her take the lead?”
Another nod.
Amira stared at him, clearly impressed. “Wow. You really have changed. From the idiot who used to change girlfriends like he changed underwear…”
Ilias flipped her off. Her hazel eyes sparkled with mischief.
Then she sobered. “I’m glad you took that time off, for your mental health and for Azul. I don’t think I ever actually thanked you for choosing Papá’s legacy over your career. I know you say you’ve already accomplished a lot, but I see you in the water. You still want it. You can win. Yesterday was proof. You devoured those waves. I’m so proud to be your sister.”
“It wasn’t easy.”
“But you made it.”
He pulled her into a hug, his throat tightening. He couldn’t show just how much her words meant. He’d crumpled enough over the years.
