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It’s clear to me that Draven will be more of use to me as an ally than an enemy, so I grab a napkin and wrap up the rest of his pineapple cake to take it to him. I don’t know where his room is or if he’s even still here, but it feels like the right thing to do.

Too bad Alex catches me.

Again, the damned door is so silent I don’t hear it swing open. I don’t hear his dress shoes tapping on the hardwood or the little huff he lets out when he sees what I’m doing. I don’t hear anything but the beating of my own heart.

“I thought you didn’t like pineapple.”

Jumping slightly, I whirl around to face him. “I don’t,” I say, choosing the truth. “I was going to take it to Draven. I understand what it’s like to feel as if you don’t belong.”

“That’s... thoughtful.” He rubs the back of his neck with a sigh. “Look, I’m sorry that was such a shit show. I tried to have Draven eat elsewhere, but father insisted. I even offered him five grand to be on his best behavior, but I guess he decided to pass on the cash. Did he make you uncomfortable?”

Yes, but not for any of the right reasons. Facing my attraction to him is uncomfortable. Watching him be treated as second-class is uncomfortable.

“It takes a lot more than that to scare me away,” I say gently. “I’m glad you came back. Are you okay?”

“Oh yeah. That was actually pretty tame compared to some of the Sunday dinners we’ve had. I know he’s an asshole, so I can have Miss Maddy deliver that to him if you’d prefer, but he won’t hurt you.”

It’s kind of cute that he gave her that nickname. “Yeah, um... that’d be great. Thanks.” I hand it to him and shift on my feet, taking a tentative step closer. “Do you want company tonight?”

“Oh.” That flush returns. “Not tonight, thank you. Family dinners are exhausting, I’m sure you can see why.”

Well, shit. I’m not sure I’ve ever been rejected before. It makes me smile a little. “I understand, Alex. Have a good night.” Rocking up, I kiss his cheek and offer him a wave as I turn around to head to bed.

I’ll get him one day. He can play coy all he wants, but one day a little too soon, we’ll be married.

He can’t reject me then.

––––––––

In the morning, I’mmore determined than ever to get Alex to open up a little. I check the loft, the library, and the office for him, but come up short. Heading back the dining room, I find Shay and Madeline there speaking in hushed tones.

“I’m sorry to interrupt. Have either of you seen Alex?”

They share a knowing look before Madeline waves a hand at Shay. “Shay will take you to him. I believe he’s in the gardens.”

“Of course he is. You’d think he had a green thumb, but every plant he touches dies,” she jokes, linking her arm with mine. “This way.”

Gardens. Maybe that’s why he said he loves soil so much. “He’s terrible at it, huh?” I whisper, leaning in close as we walk. It almost feels like we’ve done this before. “What else is he bad at?”

“Women,” she whispers with a chuckle. “Somehow his little brother took all the charm, and he doesn’t use it either. He’s also terribly bad at poker, golf too, but that doesn’t seem to stop him.”

Draven is a lot of things, but I’m not sure charming is one of them. “And what’s he good at?”

“Being the heir Ephraim Creed has always wanted... the piano. To be honest, he doesn’t allow himself much more than that unfortunately. Hopefully you can help him with that.”

Yeah, hopefully I can.

I think he just needs a little warmth.

“We’ll see. Does he come out to the gardens often?”

“If he’s not working, you can always find him in the gardens if the sun is up. I think it’s the only place he gets any solace.”

If only I cared more about plants.

Nodding, I let the conversation fizzle out as we circle the side of the house, and that’s where we find him. He’s standing a little too close to a woman with messy hair and filthy clothes. Jealousy simmers in my gut. “Who’s that?”

“Oh, that’s Morella Thomas. She’s the one with the green thumb around here.”