She wrinkled her nose a bit. “That’s the awkward part.”
Rhys inhaled a tight breath but then relaxed once more, though the effort seemed forced. “Because it’s for him.”
Her hand squeezed over his. “Elias helped me when I needed help. I’d like to repay the favor.”
“Is that all it is? A favor?”
She glanced down, away, unable to put into words how she felt about a man who obviously didn’t feel the same way toward her. And given that she was in Rhys’s arms thinking that thought? Ironysucked.
She’d be lying if she said she hadn’t continuously hoped to hear from Elias in the time since he’d come to her with soup, but she hadn’t and it hurt. And, maybe thatwassome sort of payback for the pain she’d inflicted on other people in her life. “Elias and I aren’t together, Rhys.”
“I know.”
He…knew? “You’ve been keeping tabs on me?”
His grip at her waist flexed as he guided her with expertise. “Nothing intrusive. Just continuing to monitor things to make sure no one bothers you. I can’t help that I notice he hasn’t been in contact. I know he’s only been there once and that the two of you don’t seem to be communicating.”
She knew exactly what that statement meant. Billionaires were on a whole other level when it came to such things, so it seemed. “My private life isprivate. That’s one of the things I really thought you understood by now, all things considered.”
She wasn’t sure if her upset came from the fact Rhys had obviously intruded into her personal space more than a little, or if she was upset that Rhys was aware of Elias’s disinterest in her. That felt petty of her, but her pride was bruised more than she cared to admit by Elias’s complete ghosting of her.
He’d come to her house. Brought soup of all things. Taken care of her, put her to bed. One would think that meant he cared, right?
Obviously not.
She and Elias hadn’t been a couple, had barely been more than friends—so why did his lack of interest hurt so much?
“As your former fiancé and a friend, may I ask why aren’t you with him?”
A sound left her, not quite a laugh. “And things just got a lot more awkward.”
“I’m serious, Quinley. The breakup caused me to reflect on our relationship, and…as hard as this is to admit, I think you were right to end things.”
She blinked up at him, unable to give voice to her surprise.
“You weren’t the only one having doubts.”
Shock and relief blasted her from every direction. “I wasn’t?”
“I’ve never felt more for a woman than I did—do—for you. But when I thought of our future, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t sense something…wrong. Missing.”
She nodded, speechless and wistful yet glad he was able to see it, too.
“Maybe,” he continued softly, “that’s why I sense you feel more toward Elias Blackwell than friendship. Give me credit for knowing you well enough to know that, at least. So what’s really going on between you?”
She picked at the edge of his perfect lapel, trying to find words to describe the very thing she wasn’t sure she understood. “I don’t know. I suppose… Timing is everything, isn’t it?” She tilted her head back and forced a bright smile up at him. “Runaway bride, bodyguards, handsome ex-fiancé and media drama, stalkers and death threats? I’ma lotto handle, in case you didn’t already know.”
Rhys chuckled as he turned her during their dance, dipping her a bit and then back upright again. “But worth the effort,” he said into her ear. “Tell me about this restaurant idea.”
She shook her head. “He’d never go for it. Not with you.”
“You mean I’ve done something to get onhisbad side?”
Her laughter rang out before she could squelch it, drawing even more attention to them, but she couldn’t help it. She ducked her head and loved that after everything they’d gone through, they’d somehow made it back to this. To laughter and a dance and gentle, kind glances.
Rhys seemed like a regular guy right now. But looks were deceiving, and once he walked out those doors, he’d go back to his insanely preoccupied and very public life, the bachelor going-to-be-a billionaire who deserved to find love.
“I’ll think about your question. See who comes to mind.”
