Page 8 of Lumi

“How much would you pay for it?” Nathan asked.

“Five thousand dollars,” Atlas exclaimed with a smile as he winked at me. “If this experiment can help Lumi find love, then I’m willing to pay both her and any man who helps her overcome her fear of closeness, five thousand dollars each.”

Nathan’s hand went up like we were in a classroom. “Can I do it with her? I want that money.”

“Nathan, stop! I’mnotdoing it.”

“Please. Five thousand is a lot of money, Lumi.”

“You have money.” I lowered my brow because even though Nathan was the one of us with the smallest fortune, he still had plenty.

Jolene placed a hand on Nathan’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, but it would have to be someone not related to Lumi.”

“We’re not blood-related,” he argued, but Jolene stayed strong.

“I know that, but you’re Lumi’s adoptive brother, and she grew up with you. If this is going to work, it has to be someone who isn’t her adopted brother.”

“Give me ten thousand, and I’ll do it,” Damian said while looking at me with a playful grin.

The idea of being handcuffed to Damian made my mouth dry.

Atlas patted Damian’s back. “Nice try. I said five.”

“Eight then.”

Jolene held up a hand. “Wait, Damian is Lumi’s friend. For the experiment to work, I think it should be a stranger.”

“Forget it. I’m not interested,” I said in a loud tone and felt my cheeks heat up.

Atlas watched me closely before turning to Damian. “How about seven?”

“Deal!” Damian stretched out his arm to shake Atlas’ hand, and then he looked to me. “Are ye in? I dare ye!”

“Nooo.” I leaned back. “The idea is absurd.”

“But don’t you want to get rid of your fears?” River asked. “When was the last time you had sex?”

“That’s none of our business,” Liv said in my defense.

“Sorry.” River held up her hands. “I just thought that if Lumi doesn’t like closeness, she might have issues with sex.” She sighed and looked genuinely concerned. “Your fear is no joke, Lumi. I think you should take all the help you can get from Jolene and Atlas.”

“I’m not interested.”

River didn’t give up. “Atlas is going easy on you. You and Damian are friends. It’s not like he’s a stranger, and what if your fears could be cured in only one week? You have to try, at least.”

Pushing my chair back, I threw my napkin on the table and stood up.

Atlas was quick to follow me as I fled into the house.

“I’m not doing it,” I said as soon as we stepped inside the house. “Why would you go along with it and offer Damian that much money?”

“Because I want you to be free.”

“Free of what? So what if I have a social phobia, and prefer my own company? I still have a good life with a great job and my family.”

Atlas took a hold of my arms and looked into my eyes. “You’re not fooling me, sis. Don’t you think it’s time to get over him, once and for all? Damian might have saved your life eleven years ago, but if you two were meant to be together, it would have happened by now. You’re not a teenage girl anymore.”

“I know that.” I lowered my brow with a small pout.