Summer’s POV
Lyanna York studied me intently, her eyes scanning every detail of my face. This was the second time today–first in Brandon’s office, now in Scarlett’s coffee shop. I could see her reassessing whatever assumptions she’d made about me, surprised to find that i might be more than just a pretty face that resembled hers.
I handed her the freshly brewed coffee with a pleasant smile. “Every new experience deserves a chance, don’t you think? Or is Ms. York so accustomed to her own coffee that she won’t even try someone else’s?”
“Why so aggressive, Ms. Taylor?” Lyanna laughed, though her fingers tightened around the cup. “It’s just coffee, after all.”
She took a delicate sip. Her expression remained composed, but I caught the slight tightening around her eyes.
“Well?” I prompted.
“It’s… quite good,” she replied, setting the cup down firmly. She didn’t take another sip.
Lyanna smoothed her skirt. “I should apologize. I simply wanted to become friends. After all, Brandon and I were once…” She paused. “Well, we may not be a couple anymore, but we’re still friends.”
She leaned forward. “Besides, we look so similar. That must mean something, right? I was just… curious about you. Nothing more.”
“Me too,” I replied smoothly. “You’re Brandon’s friend, and I’m simply being a good host to Ms. York. Isn’t that what a wife should
do?”
Frustration flickered across her face. She glanced at her watch and stood abruptly.
“The Stark mansion isn’t far from here,” she said, gathering her purse. “That’s where I’m staying. William wanted to arrange a driver for me, but I declined.”
“I’d be happy to drive you,” I offered, knowing she would refuse. The last place I wanted to go was the Stark mansion, where William would undoubtedly take pleasure in belittling me in front of her.
“That won’t be necessary,” she replied. “I could use the fresh air.”
I maintained my polite smile until she disappeared down the street. Only then did I allow myself a satisfied smirk as I returned to making coffee.
I was so absorbed in brewing that I barely registered the soft knock at the door. When I looked up, Brandon was already inside, his tall figure moving with effortless grace. He had his suit jacket draped over one arm, his tie loosened just enough to hint at the end
of a long workday.
He settled into the chair beside me, watching me work. I continued grinding the beans, acutely aware of his eyes tracking my every
movement.
“How long were you eavesdropping, Mr. Stark?” I asked without looking up.
Surprise flickered in his eyes before his lips curved into that half–smile I loved. He accepted the coffee I handed him. “Care to guess?”
“What, were you worried I might bully your old acquaintance?” I teased.
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Brandon nodded without hesitation. “Yes.”
I punched his chest lightly. “You’re actually admitting it? Aren’t you fraid I’ll get mad?”
Brandon caught my hand in his. “I know my wife can’t be bullied by anyone. She’s the one who does the bullying–no one gets to push her around.”
I tried to pull my hand away. “I don’t believe a word you’re saying.“)
“What would it take to convince you?” he asked, recapturing my hand
“Nothing short of cutting your heart out and showing it to me,” I replied.
Brandon’s voice dropped to that intimate tone that always made me shiver. “I would, if that’s what it took.”
I wiggled my fingers against his palm. “I’d like to see that. But even then, I probably couldn’t tell what’s in it.”
“I don’t trust you alone,” he admitted suddenly. “Also, I’m starving.”
“You haven’t eaten?” I exclaimed, suddenly realizing I hadn’t either.
Brandon stood, tugging me to my feet. “Let’s go.”
We nearly bumped into Scarlett on our way out.
“Leaving already?” she asked.
“Yes,” Brandon replied. “Sorry for the intrusion.”
“No trouble at all. Drop by anytime.”
Once we were in the car, I turned to Brandon.
“When did you and Lyanna York first meet?” I asked.
He hesitated. “I don’t remember.”
“How could you not remember? Wasn’t she your fiancée?”
Brandon sighed. “Who told you she was my fiancée?”
“She’s not?” I asked, confused. “But today she implied…”
“Would you rather people believe one misunderstanding or many different ones?” Brandon asked carefully. “Sometimes one clean lie is better than a dozen messy truths. Understand?”
I shook my head. “Not really, no.”
“Then never mind,” he said.
A thought struck me. “Wait, were you using her?”
Brandon’s eyebrows shot up. “You finally figured it out?”
—~* The nieces started falling into place. “But Lyanna herself
was
interested in you,
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Chapter 342
wasn’t she? If we hadn’t met, there hadn’t been some misunderstanding between you two… she might be Mrs. Stark right now,”
Brandon flicked my forehead gently.
“Ow!” I protested. “You hit me!”
“Lyanna was useful in that regard,” Brandon continued, ignoring my complaint. “Beyond that, there was nothing between us.”
“Really?” I pressed. “There was nothing else with Lyanna?”
Brandon’s eyes met mine. “If I had felt anything for her, would you be here right now?”
His answer was simple but powerful. If Brandon had truly wanted Lyanna, we wouldn’t be married.
“Summer,” he said suddenly, “do you remember when you were a kid maybe fifteen years ago, falling from a tree and landing on
someone?”
His question hit me like a bolt of lightning. Something about it resonated deep inside me, making my chest tighten.
“What…?” I whispered.
That night, I lay awake in bed, turning Brandon’s strange question over and over in my mind. Had I fallen from a tree as a child? I vaguely remembered climbing trees at my grandparents‘ estate, but falling? And landing on someone? The memory hovered just beyond my reach.
Brandon emerged from the bathroom and found me staring at the ceiling. He sat beside me, using a towel to gently dry my still- damp hair.
“I feel like I’ve forgotten something important,” I confessed. “But I can’t remember what I’ve forgotten.”
I twisted to look up at him. “Brandon, did you know me before? Did you have some secret crush on me for years?”
Brandon leaned down, brushing his lips against my nose. “What do you think?”
I pushed at his chest, laughing despite my frustration. “I’m not guessing. Everyone thinks you’re this untouchable ice prince, but I know better. You’re just a wolf in sheep’s clothing!”
In one smooth motion, Brandon wrapped his arm around me and pulled me against his chest. His fingers found my nose, pinching it lightly.
“Say that again,” he challenged, his eyes dancing with mischief.
I couldn’t help but smile back, even as the mystery of our possible shared past continued to nag at me. Whatever secrets Brandon was keeping, I was determined to uncover them–but for now, I was content to be exactly where I was..
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