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A pause. Then Edward's voice, colder than before.
"This acquisition requires... delicate handling."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning there are factors beyond the usual financial considerations."
"Such as?"
Another pause, longer this time. "Personal complications."
My heart hammered against my ribs.
Personal complications?
"Edward, you're not making sense. This is a simple media acquisition. Buy the company, integrate the profitable segments, cut the losses. What's complicated about that?"
"Nothing," Edward said sharply. "You're right. I'll review everything again tonight."
"See that you do. We're presenting final terms Monday."
Footsteps approaching. I scrambled back to my reading nook, grabbing the clematis book and trying to look absorbed in climbing roses. The library door opened and closed softly.
Edward appeared around the corner of the stacks, moving with that predatory grace I'd noticed before. When he saw me, he stopped dead.
"Miss Anderton."
"Mr. Grosvenor." I gestured to the book. "Just brushing up on English gardening techniques." His gaze flicked to the book, then to my face.
"I thought you'd returned to London," I said.
"Change of plans." He straightened his cufflinks—a nervous tell I was beginning to recognize. "I had some files to retrieve."
We stared at each other for a moment, the air between us charged with the same electricity from last night.
He looked tired, I realized. Shadows under his eyes, tension in his shoulders.
"Everything alright?" I asked before I could stop myself.
His mask slipped for just a second, showing something vulnerable underneath. "It will be."
He moved toward one of the shelves, pulling out a leather portfolio I hadn't noticed. Our fingers brushed as I shifted to give him room, and that simple contact sent electricity shooting up my arm like I'd touched a live wire. We both froze, staring at each other in the golden afternoon light filtering through the tall windows.
"Lili," he said softly, my name sounding different in his crisp accent. Like a prayer or a curse.
"Edward."
The distance between us was maybe two feet. Less, if I was being honest. Close enough that I could see the flecks of silver in his gray eyes, the slight part of his lips. Close enough that if I just leaned forward...
A door slammed somewhere in the house. Reality crashed back in.
Edward stepped back, clutching the portfolio like a lifeline. "I should go."
"Should you?" The question slipped out before I could catch it.
Bold. Challenging. Everything I shouldn't be with my best friend's brother.
His jaw clenched. "Lili. This... whatever this is..."