Chapter 9
Stone
“You have a sister?“
“A twin sister. We look almost identical, but we are fraternal officially."
“If I had a dime for how many times I had a fight with one of my siblings." I trail off, as a waitress walks away, having filled our water glasses and taken our orders. I knew that something was wrong because when she worries, her eyes crinkle at the sides and she gets this little wrinkle in between her brows. And her voice changes. When she’s happy, she almost has a ring to her voice, but tonight it’s sort of flat.
“I can count on one hand how many times Liv and I have fought.”
The hotel restaurant is quiet and quaint, thankfully.
At this late hour, there are only a handful of people here.
I picked a good night, because on some nights there is live entertainment, and tonight is not one of those nights.
The shimmering lights overhead are dimmed, and the cream-colored cloth table linens give a warmth to the room.
There’s enough space between tables for adequate privacy, which is why I felt it fair to query what’s bothering her.
“Do you want to talk about it?"
She doesn’t give me eye contact when she answers, which leads me to believe that she’s making up a lie.
I’ve seen it before, but I know better with Lark, because every word she says to me, she’s always looking into my eyes when she says it.
This is an exception. “I invested in her business to give her a leg up, so when I don’t like a product that she creates, she takes it to heart. "
I decide the only way around this is to call her on it. “Why don’t you try now with the truth." My voice is gentle, soft. It’s what I call my radio voice, or what my mom calls it, anyway. I use it when I’m levelling with somebody. I’ve used it on Axl recently, and it usually works.
She licks her lips contemplatively. This time, her eyes are on mine. “The truth is I can’t tell you."
“I can accept that." I lay my hand over hers. “Everyone has a secret or two. And sometimes, when people keep secrets, it’s not because they’re being malicious. Most of the time it’s because they’re sorting things out. At least that’s what’s been my experience."
“It sounds like you don’t get hurt very often."
“There’s a key sentence if I’ve ever heard one." I raise my eyebrows. “So, this thing that you can’t tell me, it's because someone hurt you."
“Yes." She leaves it at that.
But of course, the nosey Lawson that I am, I have to pry a little. “Who is he?"
“More like who was he.“
I nod. “A past lover. I won’t take credit for that one, since it is a pretty easy guess. I knew before you even told me."
She changes the subject. “Tell me about a past lover of yours."
I sit back in my chair, releasing her hand, and I take a sip of water first before speaking. “It’s another easy guess. She cheated on me. It was a long time ago. It doesn’t matter now."
"And you haven't been in a relationship since?"
I shake my head no. "No, but to be fair, that's partially because this happened before I started building my business.
It was in college. Senior year. The smile in my grad photos is pasted on, but then someone told me that the best way to get even is to upstage them.
" I speak through a chuckle. "I also learned that my mom said that because she wanted me to get married. "
She grins. "Cute."
Her smile lights up the room. It's fucking ridiculous how much I can't keep my eyes off her.
There's just something about her. I can't even put my finger on it.
It's like, all my life, I've been just me, just me and my future, me and my business, but now that I've met her, I feel like there's always been something more to it than that, and until now, I never knew it existed.
I want to share all this with someone. Not my money, not my business, my life.
Me. All of me. I never knew what that felt like until Lark walked into Lucy's office not long ago.
It's crazy. It's so fucking crazy I don't even know how to explain it, except in this garbled manner.
And it doesn't even matter in what capacity we're together.
As long as it's her face I look into, I'm happy.
I draw in a deep breath and release it, and I feel like it's time to shake this seriousness off the night.
"So, who can I go beat up? I want a name. "
"His name is Steve." She lifts a finger. "But that's all you're getting. I know your type too well. You're liable to really go after him."
"Nah. Fate usually bites those types in the ass. They end up burying themselves or dying of gonorrhea or something."
She snorts a laugh. There she is again. I love it that she's back. "Well, he's doing just fine. He's the owner of the realty company I used to work for, if that helps paint the picture a little better for you."
"Ah, yes, now it's starting to make sense."
"So, now you understand why Lucy can't know about us."
"It is becoming clearer."
"And who is this girl that I'd like to beat up? I mean, who in their right mind would cheat on you?"
I grin. "It doesn't matter anymore. It was so long ago I never think about it."
Her face goes slightly serious again. "But it did affect you, right? Was it serious?"
"We were kids, but yeah, it affected me."
"Have you had a serious relationship since?"
"No, but that's also because, like I said, I've been building my business. I don't blame that on her or my past."
She looks off to the side. A million miles away. "Okay, now I really want to beat the snot out of this Steve dude."
Her lopsided smile tells me that she's half convinced to let me. "It wouldn't make any difference. Plus, he would ruin your reputation, just like he did mine. If it weren't for Lucy, I would never have been hired where I am."
"So, my mother was right then."
She smirks with her smile. "How's that?"
"The best way to move on is to upstage them."
"I wouldn't say that I've upstaged him. He's been in the business a hell of a lot longer than I have, and I'm sure his net worth is way more."
"The point is that you're doing much better without him."
She sits on that for a moment. "I guess you're right."
This date is starting to feel like fucking therapy, but I like it that she's smiling again, and that happy ring in her voice has returned.
We've ordered a light dinner, since it's so late, so the meal is finished quickly.
"Not that I'm trying to get you to come upstairs to my room, but are you interested in seeing it?
Since I am in the business, they give me the best room in the house.
" I try to sound casual. I really don't want her to think that's all I want her for, because it couldn't be farther from the truth.
I love it that there's no hesitation in her voice. "I'd love to."
Our hands end up locked together as we walk to the elevator. When I press the button for the penthouse, she lifts a brow. "I told you they only give me the best. Especially since they know that I'm building a hotel here. They're hoping to partner with me, and it shows."
"I've heard about the program you have in South Carolina. Are you bringing it here, too?"
I nod. "That's the plan. And they stand to gain a sizable benefit from it if I do.
I'm not sure if you pay attention to business news, but this chain tried to introduce their own rewards system, but it failed miserably.
Because mine is more established and has more visibility in the system, it would be a game changer for them. "
"I'm surprised more hotels aren't reaching out."
I lift both brows as we reach the top floor. "Believe me, they are."
The elevator doors open. I pull my card out of the slot in the vessel, and we enter the room, which is completely open. It's like the elevator belongs to the penthouse, and it does. "Wow." Lark says on exhale.
"Now you see why I asked you up here. It's very impressive."
"You can say that again."
"It's very impressive."
She turns around and playfully smacks my chest. I grasp her hand gently and pull her close to me.
I want to tell her so many things, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is a tender kiss.
Her lips are so warm and sweet, and I feel like my heart is going to burst, as she kisses me back softly. "Come on. Let me show off a bit."
"If you must."
I kiss her again sweetly and we walk into the suite.
It's completely open concept, with picture windows all around, and remote blinds for privacy.
The balcony leads to a private pool and hot tub on the roof, and the gas fireplace has a glass enclosure all around, to keep with the open concept feel.
There is a wet bar, full kitchen, and separated by a handsome glass set of French doors, is the master suite, which also has an inside hot tub.
"Good God, this place is fit for royalty.
" Lark comments. "I've never seen such a regal place. "
"It's the second-best suite in the state. It better be."
"How does first place beat this?"
"The other hotel has a private bowling alley and the third best has a private party room."
She waves. “Details." She uses a playful, snooty voice.
“If you have some time to spare, I could start up the fire or we could go for a swim, if you like."
“I don’t have a suit."
“Neither do I."
She looks around, and I think she’s trying to decipher if I'm joking or not.
“Nobody can see us up here. Planes don’t travel across here, nor do helicopters. And we’re on the top floor. I won’t look if you don’t.”
“Are you serious?"
“Yeah. We don’t have to if you don’t want to. I can light a fire instead. I just know how much you like to swim."
Her dress is tastefully cut, and it’s halter style, with a zipper at the nape of her neck. It’s wine color. Linen. And it goes to just above her kneecaps. It’s classy yet sexy, and I can’t wait to get her out of it, even though I won’t say as much.