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“Drew is the richest among us. That is one more reason he’s perfect for her.” He smiledgrimly.
Before they could say anything else, the waiter returned holding a handled bag with my lunch and Laney’s, plus a carrier with our drinks. “Will this beall,sir?”
I nodded and nudged Ty. “Scoot.”
“Leaving?” Ty seemedconfused.
“Oh, absolutely. I’m going to go bring Laney lunch. You two can sit down here and figure out the future of your mark.” I rolledmyeyes.
“Our mark?” Katefrowned.
“Yes, you seem to be betting on Laney. I want no part of this, but I do plan to enjoy lunch with her.” I smoothly took the food from the waiter. “I’ll talk to you in the morning, Ty. Sorry about this, Kate, but I do appreciate the insight intoLaney’spast.”
Then I strode to the elevator without even wanting to look back. Appeasing Ty was my past. If I had my way, Laney would figure into myfuture.
12
Laney
Though I’d workedhard to never feel that kind of pain again, here it was, landing in my lap. Worst of all, there went my hope, snuffed out in an instant. When I reached the conference room, I stood in the corner and stared out the window for a little while I tried to calm down. My stomach was growling, but I refused to join them for lunch at the moment, and probably never would again. Even now, I wondered if Kate remembered. I’d recognized her from the moment I saw her, even with that tight bun and the reading glasses, she couldn’t hide her light. Mr. George absolutely adored her. Everyone was drawn to her in school. I’d managed some momentary popularity in school while everyone rallied by her side at the news of her mother’s passing. They threw her a going away party. Then news came of my step-father’s massive coronary and my imminent departure and those same people avoided the hell outofme.
“They just don’t know what to say,” Kate hadexplained.
“They seemed to know what to say to you.” I had barely managed to speak in between sobs. I’d lost my escape from the binge drinking, the hangovers, the fights, and the endless weekendparties.
Now I was reliving it. The pain felt as fresh and new as if it had happened yesterday. I shook my head and leaned against the window, staring down at all the teeny, tiny, carefreepeople.
There was a knock on the door and as I turned around, Harry walked in. He looked more serious than I liked. Immediately, he set the bag of food and the drinks on the table before walking over to me. He wrapped his arms around me and drew me to his chest. “Hi, Laney,” he murmured intomyhair.
“Hello, Harry,” I whispered into hischest.
He squeezed me once more before slowly walking me over to the table. “When I make plans to have lunch with a beautiful woman, I make it happen.” Harry pulled out a chair and gestured for me to take a seat. “I think we’re better off having lunch alone anyway. Those two are so much drama,” heteased.
“Yes.” I nodded in agreement. I sighed as he pulled all the food out of the bag and set it in front of us, then sat in the chair beside mine. “Listen, I’m sorry I ran off. I was afraid I’d ruin lunch. And I didn’t mean to be all emotional and girlish, but hey, I’m a girl and despite my best efforts my soft side is gonna show here and there.” I shrugged helplessly as my faceheatedup.
“Laney.” Harry grinned as he laid a hand on mythigh.
I glanced down, reveling in the warmth his touch brought. Even more, I truly felt more peaceful than I had since I arrived here. “Go on.” I smiledtentatively.
His shoulders heaved. “Okay, first, and I think this is an incredibly important point for me to make; I can’t stress this enough.Ready?”
I nodded andgiggled. “Sure.”
He blew out a breath. “I’m not leaving. I’m going to stay herewithhim.”
“And when you say here,youmean…”
Raking a hand through his hair, Harry murmured, “Vegas. The hotel, I guess. Here. Near you.” He cupped my face. “I know this doesn’t make sense, but I’m drawn to you, and if you knew what I do for a living and how unusual this is, you’d possibly maybe sorta understand why I have to see this through with you. Ihaveto.”
“What do you do?” I bit my lower lip while I waited for hisresponse.
“I make movies.” He sighed. “I own a little studio. In fact, the studio is so little that I currently do the casting, directing, producing, and location scouting.” Harry chuckledmaniacally.
“Yeah. That sounds like a lot.” Then I frowned. “Hey, I thought youwererich.”
“I am. My trust fund is financing this venture, since I refused to join the big studio myfatherruns.”
My head tilted. “Whynot?”
