Chapter Twenty -Seven
Lawliss
“So you really won’t tell me?” I glance at Eddie as he drives us to the airport. This is the first time I’ve seen him behind the wheel, and for some reason, it makes me smile.
After everything that happened today with the chaos, the arrests, and the lingering weight of revenge, I would have agreed to anything if it meant making sure he was okay. And maybe he is. Maybe he isn’t. But I know he will get there. Somehow, I want to be part of that.
He’s been laughing more and smiling more, and I’ve found myself looking forward to every single one. He’s becoming someone I don’t just care about. I want to make him happy. I don’t know how long this will last, but for as long as it does, I’m going to enjoy every second.
Eddie smirks, bringing our joined hands to his lips for a kiss. “That’s what a surprise is.”
I narrow my eyes at him, but the warmth that spreads through my chest betrays me.
When I found out George was behind his parents’ deaths, I nearly lost it. It took everything in me not to hunt that man down and make him suffer myself. Eddie held me back not because he didn’t care but because he’d had years to come to terms with it. I haven’t.
My family hasn’t either. Elisa suggested we send someone to beat George up in prison, just to make sure he knows prison isn’t enough. Honestly? I think she and Eddie would get along too well.
And Eddie thinks I don’t know. That he sent people to Derrick. But I do. He covered his tracks well, and when I asked, everyone denied it, but Dash let it slip. Someone got to Derrick before he could. Only one person could have done that.
When we arrive at the airport, Eddie parks, steps out, and opens my door like it’s second nature. His hand extends toward me, and I take it without hesitation.
It’s ridiculous how natural this feels. Barely a month of dating, and somehow, we already feel like an old married couple.
We walk through the private terminal, past security and staff, until we reach the hangar where his jet is waiting.
“Luxury,” I comment, eyeing the sleek aircraft.
He pulls me to him, presses a kiss to the top of my head, and murmurs, “Only the best for my wife.”
My stomach flutters. He keeps calling me that, and the insane thing is I don’t hate it.
I can’t believe it, but he makes me want to get married again. Not now. Maybe in five years. But still. The thought is there. He’s there.
We settle into our seats, the plush interior of the jet making it feel like a floating penthouse. A flight attendant approaches, smiling politely.
“Can I get you anything to drink?”
“Water,” I say.
“Whiskey,” Eddie answers smoothly.
The attendant lingers. A second too long, and I don’t like it. Without thinking, I place my hand on his chest, a casual claim, a quiet warning. Eddie chuckles, low and deep.
“Jealousy looks good on you.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not jealous.”
He grabs my hand before I can pull away and pulls me onto his lap, crashing his lips to mine.
A startled gasp escapes me, but I don’t fight it. I never fight him.
His hands grip my waist, firm and grounding. Our breaths mix, the world fading until it’s just us. Just the warmth of his touch, the way he holds me like I belong here.
And maybe I do. The realization is sudden and terrifying. I think I’m falling in love with him, or maybe I already have. The thought alone makes me pause, my heart slamming against my ribs. I pull back, shifting to return to my seat.
Sometime between our kisses, the flight attendant returned, setting down our drinks. Eddie doesn’t say a word. He just smirks, picks up his phone, and leans back in his seat.
I do the same, opening my group chat with my sisters.
Lawliss: Emergency!
Aria: What is it?
Lawliss: I think I’m in love again.
Lauren : Shaking my head. Here I was thinking it was something serious.
Aria: Why is that an emergency?
Lawliss: I got divorced recently.
Elisa : I want to say something, but after my words being thrown back at me, I choose my right to remain silent.
I chuckle at that. Ever since the press conference, Elisa has been on this ‘no comments’ agenda.
Lauren : Go for it. Edmund has had the hots for you forever.
Aria : Yeah, even when you weren’t looking. That guy loves you, so if you feel the same, then great. By the way, where are you currently staying? Janette has been asking to sleep over for some time now.
My heart skips a beat. I haven’t moved back to my place.
I’ve been staying with Eddie. I haven’t even bothered to check on the plumbing issue. I haven’t even thought about it. I’m a mess.
Lawliss: I’m not in town now. I’m traveling.
Aria : ???
Elisa: Do I want to know where you are?
Lawliss: In Eddie’s private jet.
Lauren: OMG! Snapshots.
Aria: Why do you act like you’re poor when you come from one of the richest families, Lauren?
Lauren: Because I’ve seen poverty firsthand?
Elisa: Let’s focus. Lawliss, it’s not an emergency. Just enjoy your time with your man and give us all the juicy details when you return.
Aria: Yeah. And don’t overthink. Just go with the flow. Let your heart lead instead of your head. I wish I had done that.
I pause, rereading Aria’s words. Let my heart lead instead of my head.
I’ve been doing that lately and it first brought Eddie and I together.
From law school to taking my place in our family’s business and opening my own practicing firm, I’ve always planned every step and carefully built everything. I’m about to think of the betrayal, then I swallow down the doubt, preventing it from creeping in.
Eddie is different. This is different.
Instead of overthinking, I close the chat and rest my head against the seat.
I close my eyes and let myself drift.
A warm pressure presses against my lips, soft but insistent. A familiar scent, something deep and expensive, wraps around me.
My eyelids flutter open, and Eddie’s face is the first thing I see.
“Wake up,” he murmurs, his lips still brushing against mine. I blink, groggy, until my surroundings fully register. I turn my head, glancing outside the window and I gasp.
“Oh. My. God. Oh. My. God.” A slow grin spreads across Eddie’s face as he watches my expression shift from confusion to disbelief. He chuckles, low and warm.
“That good?” I whip around to face him, heart pounding.
“Is this—?”
He nods, watching me carefully. “Yeah.”
“Do you like it?”
“Like?” I practically throw myself into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist, uncaring of where we are.
“I love it.” Eddie laughs, catching me with ease. We both stand, my body glued to his, his arms locked tight around me.
He brought me to Poland. I pull back slightly, taking in the airport sign outside the window. Wroc?aw Copernicus Airport. He really brought me here.
A car pulls up, sleek and waiting, the driver already standing beside it, holding the door open. Eddie sets me down, but his hand stays firmly around mine as we walk toward the car.
The moment we settle into the backseat, I lace our fingers together and rest my head against his shoulder.
“I’ve always wanted to come here,” I murmur, a quiet confession. “But I never had the time.”
Eddie doesn’t speak; he just runs his thumb over my knuckles, waiting for me to continue.
“I got so busy when I started law school. Then, I wanted to prove myself at the firm. I wanted to build something great for our family. Slowly, I let my passion for pottery... sleep.” I inhale, shaking my head slightly. “I don’t even know when it happened. One day, I just stopped thinking about it. I told myself I’d do it later.”
Eddie exhales softly, then lifts our joined hands to his lips, pressing a slow kiss to the back of my palm.
“Then we’ll wake it up,” he says simply.
I tilt my head up, looking at him. “You planned all this?”
A small smirk curves his lips. “You always said you wanted to come here one day. I figured today was a good day.”
God.
I press my face against his shoulder, smiling against the fabric of his suit.
Maybe for once, Aria is right. Maybe I shouldn’t think too much. Maybe I should just let myself be happy.
The car slows to a stop, and the moment I glance out the window, my breath hitches.
No freaky way. I press my hand against the glass as I take in the familiar brick walls, the large paned windows, and the wooden sign hanging above the entrance. I’ve only ever seen this place in pictures. I turn to Eddie, stunned.
“You remembered,” I whisper, emotion thick in my voice.
Eddie says nothing at first, just watching my reaction with that knowing smirk of his. Then he unbuckles his seatbelt.
“Come on,” he says, stepping out and reaching for her hand. I follow, still blown away by the sight before me.
We enter the studio, and immediately, the scent of clay, dust, and lingering traces of past creations fills the air. The space is warm and lived-in, with shelves stacked high with pottery. Some pieces are glazed and gleaming, while others remain rough and unfinished, waiting for their final form.
Then, my heart jolts. Standing near the back of the studio is James Porter.
James. Freaking. Porter.
A legend in the world of ceramics. I gasp, clutching Eddie’s arm, unable to contain my joy.
“Oh my god, Eddie.”
He chuckles. “Knew you’d be excited.” I turn back to James, practically vibrating with excitement.
“I… I’ve admired your work since I was young. Your ‘Love and Life’ piece—” I gesture wildly. “The one with the shattered pot and the couple finding each other through it? It’s… God, it’s breathtaking.”
James smiles warmly. “I appreciate that.” He gestures toward a nearby workstation. “How about we make something together?”
I hesitate, biting my lip.
“It’s been years,” I admit. And let’s be honest, my skills aren’t on par with his.
Eddie nudges me playfully. “You’ll do great.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “We’ll see about you.”
He grins, rolling up his sleeves. He’s wearing white today—a change from his usual black, and I love it. Especially the way his biceps flex as he rolls up his sleeves. I swallow hard and quickly turn back to James.
“Let’s do this.”
We settle at the workstation, and our hands sink into the cool, damp clay. The wheel spins, and I quickly fall into rhythm, my fingers molding the shape instinctively.
Eddie, however… Struggles. Badly.
“This is rigged,” he mutters as his clay collapses for the third time. I laugh, reaching over to guide his hands.
“You’re stiff,” I tease.
Eddie, however, smirks, his voice dropping just enough to make my stomach flip. “I am. That’s what you do to me.”
I freeze for half a second before I smack his arm, stifling a laugh.
“Not what I meant, perv.” He just grins, completely unrepentant. I roll my eyes but place my fingers over his, smoothing out the clay.
“Relax,” I murmur.
Eddie grins wider but adjusts his grip, letting me guide him.
“You make it look easy.”
“That’s because I know what I’m doing.”
He shoots me a challenging look.
“Teach me, then.”
Our hands move together, clay smearing on our skin and clothes. The studio fades away, and for a moment, it’s just us sharing soft laughter, teasing nudges, and stolen glances.
Then, a moment of stillness. Our hands meet over the spinning clay, fingers tangled, coated in white dust. I look up to find Eddie is already watching me. His expression is soft, unreadable, something deep stirring in his gaze.
The wheel keeps spinning, but neither of us moves. Slowly, hesitantly, he leans in.
I meet him halfway. The kiss is slow, deliberate, carrying the weight of something unspoken.
When we pull away, Eddie’s lips twitch into a smirk.
“You’ve got clay all over your face,” he whispers. I blink, then smear a streak of clay across his cheek.
“Now we’re even.”
Eddie laughs, wrapping an arm around my waist, pulling me in for another kiss. The clay on the wheel wobbles wildly, completely forgotten. From across the room, James chuckles.
“Looks like your masterpiece will have to wait.”
Neither of us cares.