Page 136 of Coveted

He will though. I’ve survived many things, and I’m more prepared than ever.

Entering the elevator, I press a button and the door closes. In the dark capsule, I glide down, alone and confused.

Does Lucan realize he’s keeping a piece of my heart when I go? I feel his absence already, as a deep void in my chest that he had started to fill.

CHAPTER 35

Sadie

“Apackage just arrived,” says María from the front of the bookstore.

I look up. “Who from?”

“Not your dashing boyfriend.” She frowns at the label, bringing the parcel to me at the sales counter. “Some fancy lawyer in the city. It’s addressed to you.”

Fancy city lawyer? Lucan has to be responsible.

“Thank you, I’ll open it later.” I gesture at the stack of romance novels and price stickers in front of me. “I should get this done.”

My neck muscles are tight and my temples pulse. With exams about to start, I’ve been studying nonstop, supported by endless cookie-dough ice cream and coffee.

When I’m not studying, I’m thinking about Lucan.

He’s respected my request for space, which disappoints a highly ridiculous part of me. I just want to know he’s thinking about me as much as I’m thinking about him. Or even half as much.

The tracking app he installed on my phone is still there. I’m pretending not to know, because its presence makes me feel like we have a link to each other. I’m such a hypocrite for that.

But I also hope it’ll lessen his stress to know he can find me if there really is trouble.

María slumps on the counter, toying with her name tag. “Our last customer was half an hour ago. Open the package now. Come on, I’m bored.”

I chuckle. “Am I your source of entertainment?”

“Duh.” She tosses her mass of dark curls. “Your life has been my favorite reality show these past couple of months. The scary billionaire is still your boyfriend, right?”

“His name is Lucan.” My fingers worry at the edges of the thick cream envelope. “I think he’s still my boyfriend. I said I need time and space.”

I discussed what I found on his computer with María and my roommates, but no one can decide for me how I feel about Lucan. It has to be me.

The problem is, I can’t land on a conclusion I’m happy with.

He definitely did too much. He even seemed to know it, though he lacked remorse. If anything, he doubled down.

So the question becomes, can I accept who he is?

My heart says yes, but hearts are famously reckless with decision-making.

“What do you need time and space for?” asks María.

Stashing the envelope under the counter, I return to putting price stickers on novels. The repetitive rhythm of the task usually soothes me, but today it’s only making me restless.

“To think,” I say.

“The man flew you to Paris and found your long-lost ancestor. What’s to think about?” She lowers her voice. “You know what I think your issue is?”

“Oh boy. What?”

“You try to do everything yourself. Like, to a fault.”