Page 64 of Anton

THORA

The following evening, I sit across from Blair, barely hearing a word she says. My mind keeps returning to Anton and how quiet he became when he dropped me off at my car outside the diner after we left the woods.

Something changed between us. I remember standing there with my hand on the door, reluctant to leave, and the silence made me think he didn’t want me to go either.

During the drive home, I rehearsed excuses in case Greer took one look at me and realized I’d spent the evening sleeping with a man she would insist I stay away from. When I arrived and found the house empty, I hurried straight to my bedroom and closed the door behind me, grateful I wouldn’t have to face her.

“What’s with you today?” Blair sets her glass down, snapping me out of my daydream.

I grab my sparkling water. “Nothing. What do you mean?”

Her hazel eyes squint. “Oh, come on. Is it him again? Are you still seeing him? Please tell me you’re not.”

I try not to react too quickly. “No, it’s not him. I’ve just got a lot going on at work, plus my parents are planning this big gala, and apparently my sister thinks they’re trying to set me up with someone.”

Blair leans back, eyes widening. “Oh, shit. That’s not good.”

“You’re telling me. I swear they’re afraid I’ll be alone for the rest of my life. Though I don’t think a life of solitude with my own small farm would be all that terrible.”

She scrunches her nose. “I don’t know. I can just see it now. You, old and gray, talking to your animals. Or yourself.” She tilts her head. “Though I guess talking to other living things is better than having conversations with yourself.”

“Oh, shut up.” I laugh.

“I’m serious. I’m not telling you to go find a husband, Thora, but you haven’t even dated anyone since…” Her voice drops, and she inhales deeply.

Since Tucker. I know she hates that name as much as I do.

Blair reaches for her club soda, like she needs something to do with her hands. “Do you at least know who the guy is? Is he nice? Easy on the eyes?”

I shrug. “He’s okay. I’m not interested, though.”

“Got it.” She studies me for another second. “Well, maybe we need to find you your own man. Then they don’t get a say.”

I’ve already found him.

But to spare her a heart attack, I just say, “You know how my dad is. No one’s ever good enough for me.”

She folds her arms, and the second her mouth starts to curve, I know I’m not going to like whatever she’s about to say.

“What is it?”

“Well…” She flicks her blonde hair over her shoulder. “There’s actually someone who’s interested in you. Someone your parents would definitely love.”

I sit up straighter. “Who?”

“You know Avery from my office?”

“Yeah.”

“Her older brother, Brayden. He’s the CEO of that tech company. He asked about you.”

I pitch back. “Really? I didn’t even think he knew me.”

“Apparently he saw you at some event your family hosted and didn’t come over because he’s shy or whatever. But he’s been asking Avery about you, and she finally told me. He wants to take you out.”

Goodie…

“He comes from old money,” she continues, ticking it off on her fingers. “He’s good-looking, successful, from the same circles as your family, and definitely the kind of guy your parents would approve of.”