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“How long?” I ask.
“However long it takes. I’ll find you. But don’t make it too easy.”
We exit the car and walk through the foyer of our building. We step into the elevator together and ride up.
As it stops on his floor, he turns to me. “Trust me, little brother.”
“I do,” I say before the doors slide closed. “Don’t make me regret this.”
“I won’t.”
If anyone can make this right, Westonwill. He’s reckless, a fucking kamikaze by nature, and has my back like my shadow.
43
LEXI
I’m typing away on my laptop, staring at a blank cursor and screen. I took a few screenwriting classes in college, but it was so long ago that I’m reading books to help me refresh.
As I place my fingers on the keys, Easton enters. When I see his expression, I know something is wrong.
“Hey, what’s going on?”
His jaw is clenched tight. “Would you stay with me if all of this disappeared tomorrow?”
“Yes,” I say without hesitation, moving to him. When I’m close enough to wrap my arm around him, I do. “I’d love you more than I do now becausethingsdon’t matter. The amount of time we spend together is what’s important. We could move to Texas and live in the loft apartment above the hair studio downtown. I’d get a job at the bookstore and you could open up an art gallery and fill it with your drawings. I’d be just as happy because it’s me and you, Easton. I chooseyou. Not the materialisticthingsthat come with being with you.”
“Thanks,” he says, smiling, pressing his lips against my forehead. “I’m so fuckinglucky. I love you, Lexi.”
“I love you. Please, tell me what happened?” I ask. This is the first time I’ve seen him like this.
“Everyone believes Weston and I tried to defraud the company, so we’ve been suspended until further notice.”
I search his face, not fully understanding what’s going on. “Defraud?”
“They know about the original intentions of our marriage arrangement, darling,” he whispers, and I pull him into my arms. “Recordings of my conversations with Weston regarding faking a relationship with you were leaked to the public. It’s a runaway train, and I can’t stop it.”
I kiss him sweetly, holding his cheeks in my palms. “It’s okay. It doesn’t matter.”
“I love you so fucking much; it hurts.” He kisses me like I’ll disappear if he closes his eyes.
“Hey, I’m not going anywhere. We know our truth, and that’s all that matters,” I confirm.
“Let’s go on a road trip. Me and you,” he says, pulling me into his arms. “Weston said we need to disappear. And there’s no other person I’d rather get lost with.”
“Really?” I ask. “Route 66. That’s a bucket list item. We could drive from Chicago to California. How much time do we have?”
“However long it takes. We’ll sleep under the stars, take dumb roadside photos, and go on an adventure. Let the road guide us.”
“This sounds … fun.” I nod, chewing on my bottom lip and laughing. “I’ll go wherever you want. When do we leave?”
“Now.” He smiles against my mouth.
I pull away tug his suit jacket. “You’rethe magic, Easton. Whatever you lose, you’ll get back.”
He nods, his gaze so intense that it nearly steals my breath. His confidence returns in a snap. “You’re right.”
“You told me that,” I say. “So,you’reright.”