Page 10 of Contentious

“I know you believe that, and I want to believe it, too, but⁠—”

“No buts.” He deeply regretted exposing her to his family during such an emotionally fraught moment in their own relationship. “Please don’t have doubts about us. That would break me.”

She rested her head on his shoulder as she exhaled. “I don’t want to have doubts, but it scares me when I consider how dramatically you’ve supposedly changed since you met me. We’re often told that people don’t change…”

“I have, and it’s because I met you. That changed everything for me.”

“How is that even possible?”

“If I could explain it, I wouldn’t have my siblings looking at me like I suddenly grew a second head or something. It just is, and I don’t want you to worry about anything. I’m not going to suddenly change my mind or pull the rug out from under you. I swear on my life.”

“Julian…”

“I love you madly, deeply, permanently. I don’t care what anyone says or does or feels or thinks about that. The only thing that matters is that I love you, and you love me, and we’re going to make this work.” He heard his own slightly desperate tone and was sure that she did, too, since she didn’t miss much of anything.

All he could do was continue to reassure her that he was in this as deeply as she hopefully was, and that he’d rather die than ever hurt her or her children.

His driver, Ernie, brought the Bentley to a stop at the curb of the Beverly Hills Hotel, where Julian had booked a room for the night, and expelled a sigh of relief. “Thank God I didn’t crash.”

“I told you it’d be fine,” Julian said to his longtime friend.

“I still gotta get it back to the garage.”

“You’ve got this. Thanks again for your bravery.”

“Haha, anything for you, boss man. I hope you two have a wonderful time. Don’t think about the bullshit, you got me?”

“Yes, sir,” Julian said, intensely annoyed by the bullshit as he helped Isla out of the car and grabbed their bags. Ernie would no doubt have more to say about his parents the next time they were alone. “See you tomorrow.”

“Text me marching orders in the AM.” Ernie got him around the famously congested city of Los Angeles, ensuring he got to court and other appointments on time without worrying about parking, which was a blood sport in LA.

“Will do.”

Julian had wanted this to be a special evening for Isla, and having it waylaid by Remington family drama had pissed him off. He’d put that aside to deal with tomorrow. Tonight was for Isla, and he was determined to rescue this evening and make it memorable for her.

“I’ve lived in LA my whole life, and I’ve never been in here,” she said as she took in the opulent hotel with wide-eyed wonder that filled him with joy.

“What do you think?”

“Can we move in here and stay forever?”

“That can be arranged.”

“I’m joking, Julian. Making a joke. Do not move us in here, do you hear me?”

“Yes, dear.”

He’d picked up their key earlier, so they went straight to the elevator.

“Julian? I thought that was you.”

Julian suppressed a groan as he turned to find a former client whose name escaped him. He hadn’t seen the guy in years.

Julian shook his hand. “Hey, man, how’s it going?”

“Better for me than for you. Saw the news about your folks. That must’ve come as a shock.”

Julian stared at him, stunned that he’d have the audacity to bring up that subject during a casual encounter. He pressed the Up arrow and prayed the elevator would get there quickly. “Have a good night.”