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I lean against the doorjamb, possessiveness rearing its dark head. “Like I said, she’s busy.”
At that moment, the woman being sought out chooses to make an appearance. “Oliver, who’s at the door?”
I feel small hands push me aside. Reluctantly, I let myself be maneuvered out of the way. However, Lana is now pressed to my side in what can only be perceived as an intimate manner. I make no move
to give her space. She doesn’t ask me to, either, her attention on the man at the door.
“Sid, hey. What is it?”
Sid looks uncomfortable. “If you’re busy right now.” He shoots me a look, which screams that he prefers privacy. I choose not to try to interpret it.
Lana is snug against me in a way that makes me want to wrap my arm around her. Draw her in even more. She bestows a kind smile on Sid, and it annoys me to no end.
“I’m afraid I’m in the middle of something right now, but if it’s important…” When she trails off, Sid looks even more wrecked, clearly believing he interrupted a date.
Far be it for me to prove him wrong.
I just stand there smugly, pinning him to the spot with my gaze and enjoying the way he’s stammering.
“It’s nothing. I mean, I had to ask you something, but it can wait.” He almost runs away, and Lana seems confused as she shuts the door.
“I wonder what’s wrong with him.” Clearly puzzled, she notes my irked expression. “What?”
“Nothing.”
She plants herself in front of me, and I realize she’s not wearing her glasses. “You’re sulking. I’d like to know why.”
I swallow, my throat suddenly feeling dry. “It’s nothing.”
She presses her lips into a thin line, then says sarcastically, “Really? Then why do you look like you want to smash something against the wall?”
“Maybe that’s just you?” I suggest stubbornly. “You could be reflecting.”
She takes a step back, still studying me, then shrugs. “Fine, don’t tell me. It’s not like—”
“You’re nice to everyone. You have this special smile for everyone you see except me,” I blurt out, horrified at how petulant I sound.
She’s staring now. “What do you mean by ‘special smile’?”
But I see the rising guilt in her eyes, and I know she’s aware of what I’m talking about.
It’s like a push and pull with her.
I take a step back. “Never mind.”
Her lips part, then she gives me a strange look before retreating into her bedroom.
I wait by the door, my mood soured. When she walks out, I refuse to make eye contact with her.
The drive to the penthouse passes by in silence. When Lana switches her phone to silent mode, I ask, “Your family?”
“They’re all calling me in turns,” Lana replies bitterly, staring out the window at the passing scenery.
“How long do you think you can avoid them?” The question is practical, and she can sense it.
She shrugs. “I don’t know. I need some time to understand what’s happening.” After a dark chuckle, she says, “Would serve them right if I ended up marrying some guy who isn’t from their list of candidates. If I just show up one day with a ring on my finger.”
My fingers clench on the steering wheel at the image even as I keep my voice carefully neutral. “That would be a hasty decision.”
