Lucy woke in Conor’s king-size bed. Down the hallway a shower pattered. Pulling on her sundress, she wandered out to the kitchen and noticed her phone on the counter. He’d taken it out of the bin. Beside it sat the crystal duck purse.
You didn’t need me, it mocked.
With a heavy sigh, she sat at the counter and tapped her phone screen. That Conor had argued against her throwing it away granted him points in his favor. He was so forgiving. Kind. Charming. Sexy. Compassionate—the visits to the hospital were about the sexiest thing to her. But as well, he was a superb lover.
She smiled at that word, superb. Picking up the phone, she made notes for post captions: A Superb Day in London. She’d not taken any photos yesterday, save for that selfie that had resulted in the near accident. Where had her head been?
Lost in Conor’s gaze. In the thrill of falling in love.
“It’s not just an affair,” she whispered. “I can’t be a…” Tryst?
She wanted so much more.
The photo showed them hugging. Happy. It had been meant for just the two of them. She forwarded a copy to him. And then…
If she posted this picture her followers would flip. A photo of the world’s richest man on her socials would blow up. It could be the key to going viral.
“What do you think?” she asked the silent duck.
***
“You going to do it?” Conor asked.
Lucy dropped her phone. The photo wobbled, waiting to be selected.
“I, uh…” Suddenly defensive, she countered, “Don’t you trust me?” Because she had been ready to do something he had told her not to do? “I would never have posted that photo.”
He slid onto the stool beside her and looked at the screen. “That’s a great shot. We look happy.”
“I am happy.” The duck’s jeweled eyes on her felt accusatory. “So why does it feel a little wrong to enjoy that happiness?”
“It’s not wrong unless you make it wrong.”
She pushed the phone away, along with the purse. “All right, maybe I did consider posting it, but I promise, it was only momentary.”
Conor kissed her. As he glided a hand along her cheek and cupped her face, it was easy to fall into him. To lose herself.
“This.” He tapped her phone. “Approval from faceless strangers is not real life. When we’re together? It’s the only real that matters.”
“Yes, but…” She growled. “This stupid purse! It’s mocking me.”
“What? I thought you liked it.”
“I shouldn’t have bought it. And to be honest…” She had to tell him! “I’ve been shoving down the niggling feeling of how wrong this all is. That maybe you…lured me in with jewels and fine things. Conor, it feels like you’ve been trying to buy me, but you can’t buy my attention, you—”
“I’ve been trying to… Lucy?”
“I know that sounds harsh, but I…need to step back.” She picked up her phone, a habit.
Conor pushed down her wrist. “What does it matter if I spoil you with a few gifts? At least you have my full attention when we’re together. I can’t seem to capture your attention when you’ve that thing in your hand, no matter what I may buy for you.”
Stunned, she gaped at him.
“It’s true.”
Yes, but oh, did the truth sting. “Right.” She nodded and walked around him. “I can get home on my own.”
“Lucy, we need to talk.”
Yes, they did, but right now she was balancing a weird line between free-falling into something she didn’t believe she could have and staunchly maintaining a moral high ground that she was struggling to make sense of. “I need some distance right now, Conor. Sorry.”
Closing the front door behind her, Lucy shook her head.
What had she done?
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