AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Late night?”
“You could say that.”
Lex watches me intently, almost as if he can read my mind.
“You’ve had quite a few of these nights.”
I tilt my head. “Let me guess? My overbearing mother has sent you here.”
“Adriana is worried, yes. But I came here because I have a business proposal.”
“Oh?”
I hand him the coffee as he nods thank you while I sit on the leather across from him.
“Actually, it’s not just my business proposal. It’s a joint venture with Noah. We’ve invested in a string of boutique hotels in Europe. All of them are currently undergoing renovations.”
“Boutique hotels are very in. I’ve photographed a few in my time.”
“I know, which is why Noah and I would like to hire you to capture the essence of our brand in Europe. We’re looking for something unique, up the game on our competitors.”
“Europe? Um, okay,” I say, barely able to stay awake, let alone take this all in. “What exactly do you have in mind?”
The moment the words escape me, Naomi, I think her name is, walks out of my room wearing my black buttoned shirt from last night. Her legs are exposed, causing Lex to drop his head with a smirk playing on his lips.
“Oh…I didn’t realize you had company?” she stammers, pulling my shirt down, but it proves pointless.
“My uncle, Lex Edwards,” I mention, then clear my throat, praying I got her name right. “Naomi.”
“Nina.”
Fuck.
“I’m sorry, I had a lot to drink,” is all I say.
“Lex Edwards?” Her eyes widen as if she just remembered something. “Oh, God, I had no idea. But, um, I have to use the bathroom, so please just forget you ever met me.”
She disappears, looking totally mortified.
I rub the back of my neck. “Sorry about that.”
“No apology necessary. Perhaps I should call next time rather than catch you off guard?”
“Honestly, I don’t even remember last night. It’s been a while since I drank that much,” I admit, then finish the rest of my coffee and let out a rasp. “One thing led to another, and then we ended up here.”
Lex places his cup down, keeping his gaze fixed.
“I remember those days. Adriana used to call me early on purpose to piss me off.”
“Of course, Mom would do that. So, it’s normal, right? I mean, I’m not even thirty yet. It’s not like I’m tied down to one woman.”
“Life is whatever you make of it. I went through a very destructive phase, but in ways, it forced me to focus on my career to numb the pain.”
“The pain?”
Lex purses his lips. “Of regretting decisions made in which you lost the woman you loved.”
Aunt Charlie, of course.
