Page 100 of For the Love of Art

Lianne twisted her nose like she was considering my idea, then shook her head. “Nah. Though, I might text Andrew.”

My heart dropped. “Has he been talking to you?”

“A little. Still nothing deep, but he’s a busy guy making–”

“No, no, no!” I held up my hand. “Very Catholic abuela. Remember.”

Lianne rolled her eyes. “Whatever. The point is I might see if he wants to come out with Frankie and me.”

This was when I should’ve told Lianne what I knew- Andrew was dating Dori. While still texting Lianne, though? Maybe it was Dori I needed to talk to. Or both? My mind spun, and as I tried to figure out what to say next, my phone vibrated again, only this time, Nathan was calling.

“Come on, we better get you downstairs.” Lianne linked arms with me and led me out of my apartment.

Nathan’s Range Rover wasn’t hard to locate. It looked practically brand new, its silver paint shined to perfection. He rolled down the passenger window and smiled at us.

“Good morning, ladies.”

Lianne giggled at his greeting, still a little starstruck.

“Have a good weekend, Li.” I hugged my friend

“You too, boo. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Hamburger.”

She kissed my cheek and then waved at Nathan before walking away.

“Do you want me to help you with your suitcase?” Nathan asked.

“No!” I shook my head quickly. “Don’t get out of the car. I got this.”

Nathan sighed as he pressed a button, activating the hatchback. I rolled my small suitcase and put it in. When I stepped away, the door automatically closed. I took it as my invitation to get into the passenger seat. When I opened the door, I could see that Nathan looked uneasy.

“What’s wrong?”

Nathan sighed. “First–” He leaned over and cupped my cheek before kissing me. He was such a good kisser.

Every time our lips touched, everything around us disappeared. The sounds of a bustling city turned to white noise as our lips moved together. I squeezed my thighs together, feeling the kiss everywhere in my body.

When Nathan pulled away, he said, “Second, I hate that I didn’t put your suitcase in here and open the door for you. I feel like an asshole.”

“I asked you not to, so really, you’re a gentleman for listening.” I leaned over and kissed him again.

Nathan smiled half-heartedly, then said, “Alright, let’s get out of the city.”

The drive out was busy- everyone wanted to leave the city on the long weekends of summer. Once on the open road, Nathan looked calm and relaxed as the SUV moved along the highway toward the Hamptons.

It was still hard to believe I was going to the Hamptons with Nathan Manning. It was hard to believe Nathan Manning was my boyfriend. Here he was, billionaire extraordinaire decked out in labels, even on vacation, from his Gucci sunglasses to his Ted Barker polo. In contrast, the dress I’d chosen came off a clearance rack at Old Navy, and my sunglasses came from the Dollar Tree.

I looked at Nathan, then back at the road. I looked at him again, then back at the road again.

“What?” he asked, a smile pulling at the corner of his lips.

“I’m just a little surprised you drive.”

Nathan barked out a laugh.

It wasn’t crazy to think that he didn’t drive. He grew up with money, and it seemed in movies and books most billionaires had people drive for them. In fact, Nathan had someone who drove for him in the city.

Nathan reached across the console and linked his hands through mine. “Do you think because I have money, I’m helpless?”