Chapter 62
Aria pov
“Let me finish.” He held up a hand. “I’ve watched you since you came back to Ravenwood. Watch you build an empire, raise an incredible son, handle crisis after crisis with grace and strength. And I’ve been in awe p>
“That’s flattering, but”
“I’m not finished.” His smile turned rueful. “I know the timing is terrible. I know you’re dealing with your ex-husband and his feelings and his very public declaration. But I also know that sometimes the timing is never perfect, and if I don’t say this now, I might not get another chance p>
He reached across the table, covering my hand with his. “Aria, I’m interested in you. Not just as a business partner. Not just as a friend. I want to take you out, really take you out. Get to know you without the shadow of Damien Blackwood hanging over everything p>
I looked down at his hand on mine. It was warm, steady, uncomplicated.
Nothing like the electric shock of Damien’s touch. Nothing like the way my whole body came alive when Damien was near.
“I can’t,” I said gently, pulling my hand back. “Lucas, you’re wonderful. You’re kind and successful and any woman would be lucky to have you. But I can’t p>
“Because of Damien.” It wasn’t a question.
“It’s complicated p>
“It’s not, though.” He leaned back. “You still love him. Maybe you hate him too, maybe you’re angry and hurt and confused. But you love him. I can see it in the way you look at him, the way you react when someone mentions his name p>
Tears burned behind my eyes. “He destroyed me p>
“I know.” Lucas’s voice gentled. “And I’m not saying you should forgive him. I’m not even saying he deserves another chance. But I am saying that until you figure out your feelings for him, you’re not available. Not really p>
“I want to be available.” The admission hurt. “I want to move on and find someone uncomplicated and safe. Someone like you p>
“But you can’t. Not yet.” He signaled the waiter. “So here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to have a lovely dinner as friends. We’re going to discuss this business partnership, which really is brilliant and would benefit both our companies. And then we’re going to part ways with no hard feelings p>
“Just like that p>
“Just like that.” He smiled. “Because Aria, you’re worth waiting for. But I’m not going to wait while you figure out your feelings for someone else. When you’re ready—if you’re ever ready—and I’m still available, we can revisit this conversation. But for now, let’s just be friends who happen to run empires p>
Relief and disappointment warred in my chest. “Thank you for understanding p>
“Don’t thank me yet.” His smile turned mischievous. “Because I’m about to pitch you the deal of the century, and you’re going to have a very hard time saying no p>
We spent the next two hours discussing business. Lucas wanted to merge his artificial intelligence technology with Monroe Global’s investment platform, creating a revolutionary new system for market predictions.
It was brilliant, and potentially worth billions.
And it gave me something to focus on besides the mess of my personal life.
By the time dessert arrived, we’d sketched out the basics of a partnership agreement. Lucas pulled out his tablet, showing me projections and timelines.
“This could change everything,” I said, studying the data. “Not just for our companies but for the entire industry p>
“That’s the idea.” He grinned. “So what do you say? Partners p>
I held out my hand. “Partners p>
We shook on it, his grip firm and professional.
My phone buzzed with a text from Damien.
How’s dinner?
I ignored it.
Another text. Aria, please. Just tell me you’re okay.
Then another. I’m not asking as your ex. I’m asking as Noah’s father. As someone who cares about your safety.
I sighed and typed back. I’m fine. Stop texting me.
Can I pick you up? Drive you home?
I have a car.
I know. But I’d feel better if I knew you got home safely.
Lucas was watching me, his expression knowing. “Damien p>
“How did you know p>
“Because you have that look. Frustrated and torn and trying not to care.” He took a sip of wine. “For what it’s worth, he’s out of his mind in love with you p>
“You don’t know that p>
“I do, actually.” He pulled up something on his phone, then turned it to show me.
It was a paparazzi photo taken tonight. Damien standing outside Marcello’s, his hands in his pockets, staring at the entrance.
My heart lurched. “He’s here p>
“Has been for the last hour.” Lucas gestured toward the window. “Look p>
I turned. Through the restaurant’s glass front, I could see a familiar figure leaning against a car across the street. Dark suit, powerful frame, hands shoved in his pockets.
Damien.
Watching me have dinner with another man.
“He’s not even trying to hide.” Lucas shook his head. “That’s either very stupid or very desperate p>
“Both,” I muttered.
My phone rang. Damien’s name flashed on the screen.
Against my better judgment, I answered. “What p>
“Is he touching you?” His voice was rough. “Is he holding your hand, making you laugh, trying to p>
“That’s none of your business p>
“The hell it isn’t.” I could hear traffic in the background, could picture him pacing outside. “You’re mine, Aria. You’ve always been mine, even when I was too stupid to know it p>
“I’m not yours.” But my voice lacked conviction. “I’m not anyone’s p>
“You’re the mother of my son. The woman I love. The only person who’s ever made me feel human.” His voice dropped to something raw and desperate. “So yes, I’m standing outside a restaurant watching you have dinner with another man because the thought of you with someone else is killing me p>
“Damien”
“I know I don’t have the right. I know I should let you move on, find someone who didn’t hurt you. But I can’t. I can’t watch you fall for someone else when I’m right here, ready to spend the rest of my life proving I’ve changed p>
Tears blurred my vision. “This isn’t fair p>
“I know.” He laughed, bitter and broken. “Nothing about this is fair. But when has love ever been fair p>
Lucas cleared his throat pointedly. “Should I give you privacy p>
I shook my head, ending the call.
“He’s really committed to this grand gesture thing,” Lucas observed. “Standing in the cold, calling you repeatedly, probably planning some dramatic speech when you leave p>
“I should have security remove him p>
“But you won’t.” He smiled sadly. “Because part of you likes that he’s suffering. Part of you wants him to fight for you p>
“I hate that you’re so perceptive p>
“It’s a blessing and a curse.” He signaled for the check. “Come on. Let’s go face the brooding billionaire together. I’ll play wingman p>
“You don’t have to p>
“I know.” He stood, offering his arm. “But it’ll be fun. Plus, I want to see if he actually throws a punch. I’ve got fifty bucks riding on it p>
Despite everything, I laughed.
We walked out together, my hand resting lightly on Lucas’s arm. Immediately, Damien straightened, his whole body going tense.
He looked rough. His tie was loosened, his hair disheveled like he’d been running his hands through it. Dark circles shadowed his eyes.
He looked like a man on the edge.
“Aria.” He took a step forward, then stopped when he saw Lucas. “Hayes p>
“Blackwood.” Lucas’s voice was pleasant, professional. “Hell of a night for stalking, isn’t it p>
“I’m not stalking. I’m ensuring my family’s safety p>
“By lurking outside restaurants?” Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Interesting security protocol p>
Damien’s jaw clenched. “This doesn’t concern you p>
“Actually, it does. Since I just had dinner with Aria and you’ve apparently been watching the entire time like some kind of lovesick creeper p>
“Lucas,” I warned.
But he wasn’t done. “Look, I get it. You love her, you messed up, you’re trying to make amends. That’s all very romantic. But standing outside while she has dinner with someone else? That’s not romantic. That’s obsessive p>
“You think I don’t know that?” Damien’s control snapped. “You think I don’t know I’m pathetic? That I’m desperate? But I also know that Marcus is still out there, still threatening her and Noah. So yes, I’m going to be wherever she is, watching for threats, even if it means looking like a stalker p>
“Or you’re using Marcus as an excuse to monitor her every move.” Lucas’s voice hardened. “Which is controlling and toxic, by the way p>
“I’m protecting her p>
“You’re suffocating her p>
“Stop!” I stepped between them. “Both of you, just stop p>
They both fell silent, watching me.
“Lucas, thank you for dinner and for the partnership proposal. I’ll have my lawyers draw up the contracts.” I turned to him. “But I can handle this myself p>
“You sure?” He glanced at Damien warily. “Because he looks pretty unhinged p>
“I’m sure p>
Lucas studied my face, then nodded. “Call me if you need anything. Anything at all p>
He walked to his car, leaving me alone with Damien.
The street was quiet except for the distant sound of traffic. The string quartet’s music drifted from the restaurant behind us.
“You didn’t have to come,” I said finally.
“Yes, I did.” He moved closer, stopping just out of reach. “Did he ask you out p>
“That’s none of your business p>
“Did you say yes p>