From Boardroom to Bedroom

Sophie crossed to the island bar and grabbed the drink she’d made for him.

“I thought you could start with a nice bourbon before dinner,” she told him, handing him the tumbler of amber liquid. “I’ve set us up over next to the balcony so we can still see the beautiful view, but not freeze.”

Nigel tipped back the drink and sat the glass back on the bar. He shoved his hands in his pockets, but remained silent. Work must have really kicked him down today. She’d never seen him so worn or quiet.

“I have good news,” she told him. “I got in touch with my brothers and they can be here tomorrow. I’d love for us to all do a nice dinner if you think you can leave the office early enough.”

She turned toward the island to start filling the plates with pasta.

“Your brothers,” he repeated slowly. “Would that be Vaughn and Kellan Blackwood?”

The plate dropped from her grasp and shattered onto the floor.

“And that would make you Sophie,” he added.

over her shoulder. Nigel held up his phone to show her a muted video from her YouTube

idea you were so popular until I discovered this,”

the counter. “Give me a second

Oh, I think you’d need much longer than that, don’t you? I mean, you’ve clearly been planning this for a long time.” He dropped his arm and shoved the phone back into his pocket. “How long would you have gone

up a strong front and not be seen as weak.

explained. “I wanted to tell you everything with them here so they could help me explain what

to the shards of the

to cut

and stepped over the mess, the broken plate crunching beneath his shoes. He gripped her by the waist and lifted her up

not be in love with him? He obviously cared for her

She knew he’d be hurt no matter how he discovered the truth, but she just wished she could’ve been the one to

told you?” she

head. “That doesn’t matter. You’re the one who lied and used

recalled the flash of red