Chapter Twenty-Seven

Ava

I’m back in the office on Tuesday, bleary-eyed but with a huge cup of coffee in hand. We stayed at Elliot’s until almost eleven, then Lucas and I went to my place to get me some fresh clothes. I’d rather not spend the night at a hotel again and have to get another emergency outfit…even if it would be a Dior or some other fancy label. And of course, instead of sleeping like responsible adults with jobs, we spent a big chunk of the night rolling around in bed. It’s no wonder I’m exhausted.

Lucas got me a car service in the morning to take me to work. “I’d drive you, but I have an early call with some inventor in Korea.”

I kissed him on the mouth. “Have fun. Love you.” I smiled as I left, leaving my ridiculously handsome billionaire boyfriend in the small and incredibly ordinary apartment. It felt good to see him at my place in the morning. He never stayed when we were together in Charlottesville two years ago. Not like this anyway. This time it feels more permanent, and I can see us staying together no matter what happens.

Today’s the last day I’m coming in for the week. Unlike the medical staff, most of the people on my floor are on vacation starting at two p.m. Since it’s not quite a full day, everyone’s dressed casually. I’m no exception in my long-sleeve UVA shirt, faded blue jeans and flats. Erin, my nurse friend, is working tomorrow, but she gets to take Thanksgiving off, for which she’s grateful.

Wanna get lunch? she texts me.

Sorry! I have a date.

Woohoo! Do tell…

Later. ;)

I grab my purse and take off at eleven thirty to make it to a small mom-and-pop sandwich shop about ten minutes away on foot. I get a BLT special and take my seat. Soon I see Elliot walk in. I wave.

He spots me and gives me a quick grin, then grabs a sandwich and joins me. He’s in a crisp pale blue button-down shirt sans tie and black slacks. Seeing him like this, I can’t help but think that the online articles about his reputation have to be wrong. He seems so…normal.

“Thanks for meeting me,” I say.

“No problem. I was in the area anyway.” He smiles, all gracious and sweet, then takes a sip of his soda. “I was surprised to get a call from you. Figured it must be important.”

“I got your number from Rachel. I hope you don’t mind,” I explain, then flush. Is that going to get her into trouble? Probably not. Lucas told me to contact her if I needed anything, and he was unavailable this morning, or so I tell myself. “And yes, it is important. It’s about marriage.”

One dark eyebrow creeps upward, slowly and deliberately. “Oh?”

“You heard him say he doesn’t plan to marry me soon, but you know what that means, don’t you?”

He raises, then drops a massive shoulder. “What does it mean?”

“Come on.” I lean across the table and lower my voice. “You know the stipulation from your father.”

“Don’t you want a big wedding?”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes at his nonsensical question and instead shake my head. “I want Lucas to have what he wants.” I exhale roughly. “I don’t want to cost him—or you—the paintings.”

“Did you tell him that?”

“Yes, but he’s being stubborn. Says he won’t do anything to make me wonder if he married me for love or the inheritance.”

Elliot makes a sort of moue of understanding. “A fair point.”

I blink, unsure if I heard him right.

He grins. “If you’re here to ask me to intervene on your behalf, sorry. I’m not going to. I’ve already done enough damage to both of you when I failed to anticipate and counter Wife Number Three’s moves.”

He must be referring to the tabloid article that exposed the whole ugly deal surrounding his father and his siblings. “That’s why you owe us one.”

“Uh-uh. I want Lucas happy. He’s not like the Grim Reaper when you’re around.”

“And I’m not going anywhere.” Why is Elliot being obtuse? I thought he was supposed to be smart. A genius, actually.

He gives me a warm smile. “You have no idea how possessive and protective he is of you, do you?”

“I know he loves me. And I love him back. That’s why I’m trying to help him get what he wants.”

“He already has what he wants—you. I don’t blame him for not wanting to jeopardize that. I didn’t know how irrational and territorial I could be until I met Belle.”

“So you’re saying you didn’t marry her for the paintings?” The question slips out before I can stop myself. I cringe inwardly. It’s none of my business why and how they ended up together.

“At first I did, but my feelings changed. Lucas never even wanted to marry, not even to inherit. If you push, it’ll make things worse. Have faith. We are not going to hate you because of Lucas’s decision.”

I flush. “How did you know?”

He chuckles. “I’m actually a pretty smart guy. Look, we are all very happy for him. Well, maybe not Blake—yet—but he’ll come around.”

“I don’t know. I think he hates me.”

“I know he said some things to you.”

“You do?”

“When you showed up at the hospital, he said he would take care of you. I wish I’d stopped him. Then maybe things would’ve worked out better.”

If you only knew. I would’ve had Lucas with me while I was pregnant.

Elliot continues, “So this is my way of making things right, giving both of you my full support regardless of what you decide to do. The paintings mean a lot to us, but Grandfather didn’t create them so that we’d do something that went against our morals and happiness. And hurting the women we love? Definitely not something that would make our grandfather proud.”

A small lump forms in my throat, and I can’t speak. I don’t know how I could’ve misjudged Lucas’s family so badly. I purposely chose Elliot, assuming that he’d jump all over any idea that would net him his painting. But…he’s not.

Maybe I just thought everyone would be like Blake. But from Elizabeth to Elliot, these people genuinely want Lucas and me to be as happy as possible, even if it means losing a multimillion-dollar inheritance.

“Thank you,” I murmur. “It means a lot to me that you feel that way.”

“My pleasure. Look, I know the men in this family can be a pain in the ass. And Lucas can certainly be difficult, but it would mean a lot if you could be a little bit patient with us.”

I smile. “Of course.”

Elliot gets up and walks around the table until he reaches me and gives me a tight hug. “I know he hasn’t married you yet, but still, welcome to the family, Ava.”