Page 163 of Wicked Lord

“Sure, why not?” I doubted I’d be indulging in such an expensive drink again any time soon.

“Dad,” Ax grumbled as he pulled the bottle out of his hand and poured the sparkling wine into my flute, “even if you get her drunk, she’s not going to run away with you.”

Conrad laughed, the warm sound so similar to his son’s. Even Mrs. Vanderhart threw her head back with a cackle.

“I adore Lorelei, but you know your mother is the only woman for me.” His eyes brimmed with love as he cast a glance in his wife’s direction.

“And let’s be honest, I’m the only one who could ever put up with him.” Deb leaned into her husband, dropping her head on his shoulder.

“It’s true. I’m not as great as I seem.”

“I highly doubt that,” I said after swallowing down a big mouthful of liquid bubbles.

“Who’s ready for a pickleball match?” Jackson stood, the eldest of the brothers, tugging his wife Everly up with him.

“I’m in.” Jenson rose then all the other boys were leaping up from their seats.

“Dad, are you in?” Aaron lifted a taunting brow.

“Of course, I am. You guys go ahead and reserve the courts. There’s something I have to talk to Axel and his future wife about.”

Wife. My cheeks heated at the word. Even though Axel had told his family we were taking a minute to slow down, they still treated me like I was already one of them.

“See you out there!” the boys called out.

A sudden silence consumed the table with the absence of the rowdy siblings.

“So, what’s up, Dad?” Ax pivoted toward his parents.

Conrad placed his elbows on the table and swung his gaze on me. “Actually, there’s something I wanted to ask Lorelei.”

“Oh, sure.” I smiled despite the hint of unease that instantly swept through me.

“Ax told me about the event planning company you’re hoping to start. It sounds like exactly the kind of thing you’d be brilliant at. But until then, I wanted to tell you about the paid internship position at Vanderhart Securities. We’ll be opening it up in the fall, and I thought you would be perfect for the job. Axel will be there, getting school credits so I figured I may as well pay you both since I doubt he’ll let you out of his sight for long.”

A rush of excitement shot through my chest, escalating my pulse. “Seriously?”

“Yes, absolutely. I’ve heard about your GPA and have spoken to some of your professors. You’re quite impressive, Miss Battenberg.”

“Oh my, thank you so much!” I grabbed his hand before I could stop myself and squeezed. “I’ll work really hard and prove myself to you, I swear.”

“I don’t doubt that one bit, Lorelei.”

“Tell her the other thing.” Deb speared her elbow into her husband’s side. “Just in case.”

Mr. Vanderhart cleared his throat. “I’m not sure if you’re aware, but I set up a scholarship fund at Stonewall University years ago back when Jackson started there. I understand your family is having some liquidity issues, and I think we could help.”

My eyes darted to Axel’s before returning to his father’s. “That’s very kind and extremely generous of you, but I couldn’t take your money.”

“Oh, it’s not my money, Lorelei. It’s a fund that was established for smart, hard-working students who wouldn’t have the means to otherwise attend the university. Anyone can apply and I promise not to exert any undue influence.” He winked, and a mixture of embarrassment and absolute joy twisted in my chest.

“It’s the same scholarship Killian’s girlfriend, Lexi, is on,” Deb added.

Of course it is. Because that would be the ultimate twist of fate, wouldn’t it? I’d been such a bitch to the scholarship girl when she arrived last year, and now I wasthatgirl.

Swallowing my pride, I offered Mr. Vanderhart my best smile. “Thank you, I’ll be sure to apply.”

“Great!” He lifted his flute to mine. “Now, let’s make a toast to our future rising stars at Vanderhart Securities, and to my son and his future bride.”