Page 14 of Loving Her Enemy

Bristol pursed her lips and shook her head. “I assume you have someone in mind. Who’s the lucky woman?” Sarcasm dripped from every word, and it was safe to say she wasn’t onboard with the idea. Which was going to make the rest of this conversation awkward.

After a long hesitation he said, “I’m going to ask Halayna.”

His sister’s mouth dropped open, and then she leaped out of her seat, catching him off guard.

“I knew it! I knew you had a thing for her!”

“Shhh, keep your voice down,” he said.

Hershel and some of Sloane’s security detail were in the house somewhere and so was Halayna. He didn’t want this news getting out until he had a chance to talk to her directly.

“And for the record, I don’t have a thing for Halayna, but I do like her.”

“That’s bullshit. You more than like her. You like-like her. Like for real like her.”

“What are we, ten? I said I like her. That’s it. Nothing more.”

As she leaned across his desk, Bristol waved her finger back and forth in front of his face. “Nah, don’t even try it. You’ve had a thing for Halayna since the first time you met her. That’s probably why you always acted like a jerk whenever she was around.”

“I did not act like a jerk. I’m a grown ass man. I know how to behave around women.”

Bristol dropped back down into her seat. “Maybe, but not when it comes to Lanie. I knew you were into her,” she said under her breath as if talking to herself. Then she returned her attention to him. “You always started ridiculous arguments with her when she and I were in college, trying to get a rise out of her. For a man who’s often the smartest person in the room when it comes to business, you have no game when it comes to Halayna.”

Sloane chuckled and had to admit, she had a point. He often wasn’t himself whenever he and Halayna were in the same room. He hadn’t thought much of it. Yet, maybe subconsciously he had been trying to get her attention by alienating her. Sometimes their disagreements ended with her looking as if she wanted to punch him. Then he’d feel bad because he never intended to piss her off.

So how was he going to convince her to marry him and give him an heir?

“I had a feeling, when I was back in college, you were into her, but I wasn’t sure. Then when you got all bent out of shape about her dating Owen, I suspected it was because you wanted her for yourself. Except you never made a move on her.”

“I didn’t think you’d appreciate me stepping to your best friend.” He was surprised his sister picked up on his attraction to Halayna. “Besides, I used to think she was too young for me. Ten years is a big age gap, but now that we’re older, the gap doesn’t seem as big.”

“I’ll admit it would’ve been weird to see you two together. I probably would’ve wanted to strangle you, but only because she was so sweet and you… weren’t.” She snorted. “I would’ve been afraid you’d hurt her. Not intentionally, but you were so much more experienced than her. She was so trusting back then.

“To be honest, I know you would’ve treated her right. You might’ve driven her nuts, but you always had a soft spot for Halayna. With that said, though, I don’t know if Halayna’s ready for anything involving a man. Owen really did a number on her, and her trust issues are even deeper than yours.

“I don’t know if she’d be open to hearing anything you have to say, especially since you guys had an argument the other night. She didn’t give details, but she did mention it in passing. She thinks you’re an insensitive jerk among a few other things that I won’t bother mentioning.”

Sloane smiled. She might’ve been mad at him that night, but at least they were on speaking terms. Assuming hi and bye counts, which was basically all she’d said to him over the last couple of days.

“However,” Bristol continued, “she needs a fresh start. Not sure that means she’d be open to your proposal, but this might be the best time to shoot your shot. Just make sure you give her everything she wants, and Sloane, if you hurt her, I’m going to hurt you worse.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less, and you have my word that I won’t hurt her,” he said. “Now, I know you’d never break your friend’s confidence by telling me what she needs, wants, or what all she’s trying to accomplish. But any help or suggestions would be appreciated.”

Bristol shook her head. “Nope. I’m staying out of this.”

He studied her for a minute, hoping she’d change her mind but knowing she wouldn’t. “Fine. I already know two things I can offer which might get her to say yes.”

Bristol cocked an eyebrow and fell back against her seat with her arms folded across her chest. “Really? And what would that be?”

“During our conversation the other night, she mentioned wanting to make perfumes. I can make that happen for her. I can set her up in her own lab with every piece of equipment she could ever need. I can even help her get a perfumery off the ground. Or hell, I can buy her an existing one that she can take over.”

Bristol nodded slowly, and he knew he was on the right track.

“Two,” he said, lifting two fingers. “She wants a family. That’s something we both want. We can make that happen however she feels most comfortable. In the end, we’ll have a baby together or maybe even two. At least she’ll know I would never abandon her or our kids because it’ll be in writing.”

This time his sister was shaking her head, her expression doubtful. “I don’t know, Sloane. I don’t want to see either of you hurt, and Halayna loves love. She might claim to be done with the male species, but deep down, she wants what so many of us women want—that romantic happily ever after. She wants to be loved and in love, especially when you talk about bringing a baby into this scenario. I don’t know if she’ll go for a marriage in name only. On top of that, you have clearly forgotten she can’t stand your ass.”

Sloane chuckled. “Yeah, that might be the case right now, but I have a way of growing on people.”