Page 124 of Lucas

I don’t have a family to bring together anymore. That bridge is well and truly burned. “It won’t happen because Lucas isn’t interested. He’s just waiting for the day our contract ends. As soon as he gets the CEO position.”

Cora shakes her head. “I don’t think he’s waiting for the contract to end, not like you think. At family dinners, he talks about you, and he says good things.”

“He talks about me?” I’ve never gone to their familydinners. His father isn’t keen on my presence for understandable reasons. At least he hasn’t banished Lucas from his home like I’ve been.

“All the damn time. It’s always Ava this, Ava that. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was well on his way to being smitten.” She grins, looking far too pleased with herself.

“Smitten? What is this, a Jane Austen novel? No one says smitten anymore.” I deflect, trying to ignore the way my heart is suddenly racing, my palms gone clammy.

“Yeah. I think even Dad has softened a bit. Maybe he’ll invite you soon.” Hope colors her voice, but I don’t let it take root in my heart.

“I wish my father would soften a bit.” I sigh, slumping back in my chair.

“What’s really going on? Have you tried talking to him?” Cora asks, sympathy softening her features.

“Not since he visited my office and Lucas threw him out.” I deflate further, the memory still stinging. “Maybe it’s better this way.”

“I don’t understand why he gave you control of the company if he wants it back now?” Cora frowns, puzzlement creasing her brow.

“I don’t know either,” I lie. I don’t mention that he’s been embezzling for years and hid it from me and that now I’m tangled up in his lies. That his intention was for me to take over the company and become a scapegoat for his actions.

“I know this is going to sound radical, but maybe just give the company back to him? I mean, you said it’s in bad shape, anyway.”

I shake my head. “I can’t. Not now. Lucas wouldn’t allow it. He’s invested money in the company, and he hates my father.”

Cora purses her lips. “Well, it was a thought.”

“Tell me about Arlo. Do you see each other a lot?” I ask, desperate to change the subject to something less painful.

“We’re meeting up in a bit. He’s coming to pick me up from here after a week of not seeing each other. We don’t get to meet up as much as I’d like. We both work a lot.” She shrugs, trying to appear nonchalant, but I can see the disappointment lingering in her eyes.

“So I’m stealing your time with him?” I furrow my brow, guilt niggling at me.

“No, of course not. I love meeting up with you. And Arlo wasn’t free, anyway. Sometimes I don’t understand how he’s busier than me.” She laughs, but it rings hollow.

“Everyone’s busy these days.” I smile, trying to lighten the mood. “What does he do for work?”

“He’s an IT engineer,” Cora says, fiddling with her straw. “You’d expect he could make time for a personal life, but it seems they work him really hard. He’s always so tired, the poor guy.”

I nod, thinking of Lucas and his demanding schedule. “Maybe you should encourage him to look for another place if he can’t even go on a date.” Lucas canceled his plans so he could come with me to Michelle’s party even though he doesn’t even care about me, and you can’t say Lucas isn’t a busy man.

“Yeah, maybe. He doesn’t like to talk about his job much.” She pulls a face, wrinkling her nose. “Lucas said you went riding together over the weekend? Did he sucker you into it?”

“Sucker me into it?” My eyes widen.

“He’s been trying for years to get all of his siblings to join him. No one agrees except Liam. Everyone knows his route is brutal.” She laughs, shaking her head.

“Wow, yeah, it was definitely brutal. And he claimed it was the easy one. I almost passed out at the end.” I grimace at the memory of my screaming muscles and the burning in my lungs. But his treatment of me after was worth it.

“Oh, Wait. I see Arlo.” She waves, and the man who just entered starts making his way over to us. “You haven’t met yet, right?”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ava.” I extend my hand, and he shakes it, his grip firm and cool.

He smiles. “Nice to meet you too.”

Arlo is very handsome—though not Lucas-level handsome—tall and lean, with sharp features and dark eyes. He leans over and kisses Cora.

“Ava was just telling me how my brother took her on his weekly bike route,” Cora says, smiling up at Arlo.