Little Lies by Elena Reyes (popular romance novels txt) 📕

following Tero to a black Audi parked not far from Hortencia’s Delights. “Give me one second,” he says, walking toward the back driver’s side door and after pressing a key on his fob, opens it and places our packages on the seat. My six to his three, and he didn’t bat a single eyelash at the price, nor was I allowed to pay for my purchases. Once he’s done, like a gentleman he comes to the door I’m standing in front of and opens it for me, ushering me inside. “We have a bit of a drive, and Mr. Astor is waiting on us.”

“Don’t I get a say in this?”

“Convince me once I’m behind the wheel.” He winks at me before coming to the driver’s side and slipping in behind the wheel, and it doesn’t come across creepy or lecherous. On the contrary, there’s something about him that puts me at complete ease. “Now, you have until we reach the end of this street before I have to make a turn to change my mind about dragging you out to a location my boss is looking to buy.”

“One, that sounds incredibly boring.” I tick off and then count the next before he can counter my honest answer. “And two, it’s my birthday, and I would rather be lazy and eat the chocolate in the back. Honestly, Tero. Let a girl live through the cocoa bean diet while Netflix and chilling.”

“Okay,” he chokes with a laugh, covering it quickly behind a cough, “that was compelling and even somewhat on a soul-moving level. Very solid arguments.”

“And?” I wave my hand in the air, no patience in me whatsoever after the weird morning I’ve had. Not to mention I’m also needing to change my locks before the day is through. “Do I win?”

“You do, but don’t make a habit of getting me in trouble.”

“I’d never.” The side eye he gives me lets me know he’s not buying the mock outrage, but it’s the sudden serious expression that makes me apprehensive. “What?”

“What scared you back there?” His voice is low, and yet to my ears, it’s as if someone shot a cannon. My reaction is automatic, and I shrink back, leaning heavily on the passenger side door while avoiding his gaze. The buildings in my line of sight begin to blur a bit after a minute of silence and the car jerks forward hard; Tero’s pressed down on the accelerator harder than needed. “Tell me. We can help you if you’re in trouble.”

“We?” I ask, still not turning to look over. The last thing I want is for Theodore to know he’s working with someone who is unstable. “Who is this we?”

“Mr. Astor—”

My head jerks toward his, my eyes narrowing. “You will not speak of this to him.”

Those pastel-blue eyes narrow, his head tilting in the same manner he did outside of the building where he found me. “What is the this I will not speak of?”

“Just a disagreement between friends.”

“Just a disagreement?” he parrots, his expression unbelieving. “You seemed scared, not angry, Gabriella.”

“She was angry and said something hurtful.” I shrug my shoulders, going for nonchalance, especially since I want to go home. Today has been eventful enough for me. “I’m probably overreacting to it and we’ll be fine by tonight.”

“If you say so.” His tone says he doesn’t believe me.

“I do.” Turning toward him again, I plaster a small grin on my face. “Now that you have an understanding of the inner workings to the female bonding insanity, how about you take me home? I’m itching to start the planning phase of my exhibit.”

“On your birthday?”

“What better day than the one I get to make the choice in how I spend it?”

“Touché.” Tero laughs; the sound is loud and boisterous and a bit strange. It comes off as a wheeze and I join him, not stopping until tears spring to my eyes and I snort. Then he’s laughing at me, which creates a weird cacophony inside the enclosed space, and I can’t breathe by the time he’s slowing down. “You are something else, Miss Moore. Never change.”

“I promise if—”

“I take you home,” he finishes for me, pulling over to the end of the street and putting the car in park. The phone, which he’d put in one of the cupholders, is now in his hands and his thumb is flying across the screen as he types a message, hits send, and then sends another. For two minutes we sit in silence until the device pings and he shows me the response.

As you wish. Please enjoy your day and the chocolates. ~Astor

A second one comes through before he can close his phone.

No work is allowed either. ~Astor

The latter I give an inner eye roll to and instead smile. “Thank you.”

“None needed, birthday girl.” Pulling off from the curb, he takes a familiar route toward my home after I give him the address, and I close my eyes. There are things that don’t make sense, but I’ll decipher them even if it kills me. Elise’s actions, the dress, and my dreams all have to mean something, and I plan to put an end to this mystery. I can’t go on like this. I can’t continue being scared or doubting everything because of a recurring nightmare. “Now let’s get you home.”

“Once again, thank you for everything.”

“I’ll take a nice painting as payment in the future.”

At that, I bark out a laugh. “Done. My choice on the subject, though.”

“Seems like a fair trade.” Another turn and my body sways with the movement, pulling closer to the door, and I open my eyes. We’re close to my home and after pulling into the driveway, Tero lets the car idle while rushing to get my boxes and then my door. I’m not given the chance to open my own, and he nods toward the door when I stay seated just watching him run around. “Or did you change your mind?”

“No.” Shaking my head, I chuckle. “I’m just