Chapter 6
The moment I returned to New York City, I left every piece of my past with Nathaniel Carter behind. I was done–truly done. Some things weren’t worth holding on to.
“Belle, Jules is waiting inside. Go ahead. I’ll skip this part,” my brother Caleb said, giving me a nudge.
I’d already agreed to this arranged engagement over the phone before coming home, but today would be the first time I saw Julian Hayes in person. It felt like opening a mystery box–equal parts excitement and dread.
My fingers curled slightly as my heartbeat stumbled. Caleb had talked about this man so often that curiosity had been simmering in me
for weeks.
I pushed open the door. And stopped.
The man inside was tall, sharp–featured, with a lazy smile that touched his eyes the moment they met mine. His voice carried a teasing
warmth.
“Well, if it isn’t the girl who tried to play slice–and–dice in the bathroom.”
My eyelid twitched.
Over a year ago, at my lowest point, Julian had been my doctor–the one who stayed with me in the ICU for an entire week.
But his habit of mixing barbs into every sentence had dulled any gratitude I felt. We hadn’t crossed paths since.
Julian arched a brow. “What, pretending you don’t know me? I did save your life.”
“I’m not,” I said quietly. “Thank you… for what you did back then.”
His lips curved, mocking my tone. “Thank you, Your Highness. Took you a year to say it. Let’s see… how much interest has that favor earned?” He leaned in, lowering his voice. “So, how do you plan to pay me back?”
He slid closer, his knee brushing mine through the thin fabric of my dress, the warmth seeping in. “How about you cry in my arms? We’ll call it a down payment.”
I blinked once and ignored him.
When I didn’t rise to the bait, Julian changed tack, talking about himself instead. Clean background, good family. And then, almost
casually:
“I’m single. Never dated anyone. Never liked anyone–except you.”
The words twisted unexpectedly, and I latched onto the one part I could question. “You’ve never dated? I don’t buy that.”
He grinned. “Flattered you think I’m worth that much suspicion. I saved your life. Now you can teach me the rest. Help me graduate to
expert level.”
Heat crept into my ears.
Julian stood and crossed to the piano, his long fingers settling on the keys. The first notes of Wedding in a Dream—my favorite—spilled
into the room, smoothing away the last of my nerves.
My eyes followed him: his jawline sharp, and the diamond cufflinks gleamed against his pale wrists.
A thought entered my mind–quiet but sure: life with Julian could actually be… pretty good.
The music faded. Our eyes met, and I heard myself speak before I could second–guess it. “I’m the same. Right now… there’s no one else
I want.”
Something in my chest loosened, making room for someone new.
Julian’s brows lifted, his eyes warming with amusement–and something more.
Chapter 6
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