Page 51 of A Forbidden Arrangement

He rests his head on her shoulder and mumbles, “He likes her too.”

Marco chokes on a laugh, and I’m left staring, wishing I hadn’t heard him so clearly.

I stare after them as they disappear from the room.

“You know, everyone here has a story like that.” Marco’s voice is casual as he gathers the cards. “Xander’s helped each of us in some way. We all care about him, which is why it’s been hard watching him bury himself in work. So if it feels like people are pushing him on you, that’s why. We’d all given up on him ever settling down. The man never left his city office. Then he shows up with you, and suddenly, he’s eating breakfast in thekitchen.” He shakes his head, smiling like he still can’t believe it. “It’s romantic, really.”

“Romantic?” I look down at my hand. “If this is his idea of romantic, he’s really bad at it.”

Mrs. Price and Marco share a look before she smiles. “That’s the spirit. Don’t let him off too easily.”

Marco grins. “Maybe suggest a matching tattoo. Fair’s fair.”

Mrs. Price laughs. “She can do better than that. Ask for something big. You know he’s rich, right? You should at least get an island out of this.”

I inhale so sharply it squeaks. “An island?”

“You really don’t know who you’ve caught,” she says, amused.

“I think you’ve got that backwards.” My brows pull together. “Pretty sure I’m the one who’s been caught.”

Mrs. Price snorts. “He’d like you to believe that.”

Long after I head back to my room, Toby’s sleepy voice echoes in my head.

He likes you.

Chapter 24

Dahlia

Mrs. Price holdsup a navy blue silk dress, the light catching on the beading at the waist. The pattern thickens toward the hem until the fabric looks dipped in glass.

It’s stunning. Even with my limited fashion knowledge, I can tell it’s expensive. My hand lifts to touch it, but I stop myself.

“What’s that for?”

“Mr. Everette has requested your presence at dinner.” Her tone leaves no room for argument. “Becca stayed late. It would be a shame for her hard work to go to waste.”

I look away, tapping my fingers against my leg. Nearly half a minute passes before I say, “I’m not wearing that.”

She deflates a little but hooks the hanger on the closet door. With the dress out of the way, I notice the pile of clothes resting in her other hand.

An oversized hoodie, a pair of black leggings, and a deep-blue T-shirt. She sets them on the bed in front of me. The hoodie’s thick and soft between my fingers. Mrs. Price turns and fusses with something in the drawers, giving me privacy while I change.

The hoodie swallows me whole, the hem brushing just above my knees. I turn and smile. “Thank you. It’s perfect.”

“Don’t thank me.” Her lips twitch. “I suggested the dress. Xander’s the one who picked out the hoodie.”

There’s a flicker of mischief in her eyes before she blinks it away, and I suddenly realize I’ve been played.

I open my mouth, close it, then walk out before I can change my mind. The halls are quiet. I’ve wandered enough that the dining room is easy to find. Candles burn along the table, soft light catching the crystal glasses.

Xander stands with one hand resting on the back of a chair. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, and the top two buttons of his shirt are undone, revealing a slice of skin at his throat. His Adam’s apple moves when he swallows, and my ears go hot. I should look away. I don’t.

His gaze drops, tracing my clothes. A smug smile curls his mouth.

I cross my arms over my chest in a sad attempt to cover the hoodie he picked out for me. The motion only makes him grin wider. He looks like a man who just won something.