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“No, Marr. Never.” He runs his hand through his hair, peeking at me under his lashes. “She tried to get close to me in the past, but when I didn’t return the gesture, she brushed it off with a laugh. That’s why I was surprised when she came on to me so strong last night.” His grip on me tightens. “Vanessa has no affection for me. I think when she saw you and me together, she somehow took it as a personal offense.” He looks between Kristy and me before asking, “You believe me, right?”
I reply to Kristy’s raised eyebrow with a subtle nod. Over the weeks I’ve known Zander, he’s given me no reasons to doubt him. But I’m not surprised like him. Even if they weren’t together before, why would Vanessa not hit on him? Zander is the complete package.
“Yeah, we believe you,” Kristy replies. “But we weren’t aware she was involved with Elixir Inc. directly.”
“She isn’t. We have a long association with the Hilberts. Mathew, Vanessa’s father, is not only one of our first investors but also a close friend of Beast.” He stretches his long legs under the coffee table.
“Beast?” My ears perk at the weird name.
“That’s what we call Ashcroft.” Zander chuckles.
“You call Ashcroft Miller, your guardian, Beast? Why?” I ask, thrown for a loop at the weird nickname.
He cracks up at my confused open mouth and wide eyes. “You’ll know when you see him.”
Sweet Sugar.
Are we already talking about meeting family members? Guess so. His brothers are on their way to my place and Kristy, my only family, is busy bantering with him.
“Vanessa supports Mathew in his business, and that’s how she’s aware of the internal company business and policies. But there’s nothing to worry about. You just need to know that the non-fraternization policy has not been in effect since last Friday.” His thumb gently strokes my hand when he feels me stiffening. “So apart from some internal office gossip, everything will stay the same.”
“I’m going to work tomorrow with a bag of popcorn.” Kristy wiggles her eyebrow at us.
The wide smile that grows on Zander’s face is reassuring, and I lose myself in it. Everything will be all right. I repeat the words in my head, over and over again.
After another thirty minutes, I answer the doorbell for the second time this morning and find Zach scowling at Zane.
“Would you have minded too much if we had one bagel on the way?” Zach’s serious eyes peer at me.
“Um…no,” I reply to his strange question with confusion.
“Did you hear? No one cares about one bagel.” Zach angrily points one finger at Zane.
“S-s-sorry, Marr. Someone’s cranky, as it’s past-t-t his breakfast time.” Zane smiles, handing me the bags from Hawthorne Bakery.
“You can’t stay hungry for fifteen minutes?” Zander asks his brother when we meet him in the living room.
Kristy helps me in getting the plates from the kitchen, smiling at the annoyed, yet amusing Zach Teager.
The three brothers fill our modest living room. Dressed in impeccable suits on a Sunday morning, they look perfectly out of place in our boho decor.
After wolfing down one bagel, two cupcakes, and half a croissant, Zach surprises me with his question. “Are you sure about this one?” He cocks his head toward Zander sitting beside me. “He can be grumpy at times.”
“What are you talking about? I’m a sweetheart.” Zander throws a bread piece at his brother before turning my way. “Don’t listen to him.” He smiles, showing me his perfect white teeth, and my breathing stops.
He is so beautiful.
There is no other way to describe him.
“You’re a guy who calls himself a sweetheart,” Zach comments. Sipping his coffee, his grumpy mood is forgotten.
“I am to her,” Zander mutters before pushing a half-bitten blueberry cupcake into his mouth.
My Sweetheart.
Holy Moly.
Zander’s brothers share stories and jokes about the office and their life in St. Peppers. I feel like I’ve known them for years and not just since last night. They treat me like I’m one of them, a part of their family.
