Page 113 of A Win-Win Situation
Adeline
DID YOU SLEEP WITH HIM?
My phone immediately starts ringing and I laugh when I see Adeline and Sophies name pop up in a group call.
"Hello!" I answer with a smile.
"Spill it," Adeline quickly says, and I do. I tell them everything that’s happened, starting with the events in Paris and how John showed up and Lucas found out. Then I tell them about our argument and how it finally pushed us to be together. I finish with my name on his lips:Leora Ayoub.
Nobody speaks for about ten seconds.
"I knew it. I knew this would turn into something more after I saw how he looked at you during the reception. I knew it wasonly a matter of time," Sophie says, and I can hear the smile in her voice.
"How did he look at me?"
This time Adeline speaks. "As if you were something conjured up by his dreams."
That’s impossible. During the wedding, it seemed as though I was a burden he couldn’t wait to get rid off.
"Have you fallen for him?" Sophie asks. I don’t answer for a few heartbeats, and I think that is what gives the truth away. I know I have, but can’t bear to say it out loud.
"Oh,Habibti," Adeline starts, her voice so soft it makes me shaky. "Have you told him?"
"No, not yet," I finally whisper. "I don’t know how to. We still have the agreement. What if this is only until the one-year deadline hits us? Also, there’s so much to do before the opening and his uncle is really sick. I don’t want to add to his stress."
Both of them sigh, but seem to understand. "I understand, and you do it at your own pace, but from what I’ve heard, this man is completely in love with you. How can he not be? You are incredible Leora. When a person truly gets to know your heart, there’s nothing not to love."
Adeline’s words make my whole body warm. I’m so lucky to have the privilege to call them my best friends—I don’t know what I would do without them.
"I love you," I tell them, because I really do.
"We love you too," Sophie replies before changing the subject. "Now, tell us the details. How big is he?"
I’m too shocked to answer immediately. I never thought Sophie would be the one to ask this question; I had expected it to come from Adeline.
Before I can answer, Adeline chimes in, urging me to answer the question which I do.
"Huge."
The hotel openingis in three days and I have nothing to wear.
I’ve moved into his room, but I’ve kept some of my clothes in my old room, this way I have two wardrobes. I rummage through my wardrobe, filled with incredible items, yet nothing seems good enough for this event.
Lucas leans against the doorframe, his signature smirk playing on his lips. After I moved into his room, he helped me move my everyday clothes. I guess I should say,ourroom—he gets upset every time I use the word"your." We relocated his fancier suits to hang next to my dresses in the guest room, leaving us with two walk-in closets."
"I don't know what to wear," I grumble, my voice tinged with a mix of frustration and anxiety.
He chuckles softly, clearly amused by my panic. "Leora, you have more clothes than most people. I made sure of that myself. I'm sure you'll find something."
I huff, throwing a rejected dress onto the bed. "That's easy for you to say, Mr. I-Have-Everything-Under-Control."
"I don’t have everything under control, didn’t I tell you? Apparently, Michel convinced the whole board that the perfect time for the vote would be during the long awaited opening." I’ve never hated a man as much as I hate Michel.
Lucas has been telling me he’s alright, and not stressed at all. But every time I catch a glimpse of him working, his knee is bouncing up and down and he’s always fidgeting with something.
"How are you feeling about it?" I ask as Lucas pushes himself off the doorframe and strolls toward me.
"There’s nothing I can do at this point. Whatever they decide, that is how it will be. I’ve done my best," Lucas says, but his words don't match the tension etched across his face.
