Chapter 142
+25 BONUS
“Next time, tell me if you’re coming to eat. It’ll be on the house!” Jean said. “Taylor, you gotta let me know after you’ve set the time.”
“Wait, you’re serious?”
“Duh? I actually planned to turn your meal into my treat, but you guys paid before I could.”
While we were still talking, Michael approached Soren quickly. “Sir, the car is here.”
Jean understood. “Well, that’s all from me! I shouldn’t keep all of you busy folks out here. See y’all next time!”
“Bye, Jeannie!” Soleil chirped, waving.
Soren’s schedule was tight enough that his car was waiting right outside the entrance. Michael had already opened the door for him.
“I’ll go now. Have fun,” he said through the rolled–down window.
I waved at him, trying hard to suppress the feelings that surfaced when I looked at his face.
The Audi drove away.
Soleil let out a dramatic sigh. “Finally! He’s gone! I am now freee! Let’s go!”
I drove a modest electric car for my city needs. It was pretty good for what it was, and I loved it.
But Soleil was the daughter of the ever–prestigious Kenways, right? It could feel a little embarrassing for a girl who drove a Porsche to sit in my humble car.
“It’s not gonna be as comfortable as your ride, Sol. Sorry about that.”
“Excuse me? Why are you treating me like I’m a princess with impossible standards?!” she replied with feigned
anger.
We laughed.
On our way to the company, I remembered the look Soleil had when Soren was around and asked curiously, “So, why do you seem like you’re afraid of your brother? He seems pretty personable to me!”
“Heh!” Soleil snickered. “To you‘ is doing the heavy lifting here, Tay–Tay. You’re his lifesaver–twice—so of course he’s nothing but Mr. Friendly to you!
“He’s not like that out there, you know. Everyone treats him with deference for a good reason…
“Only Mom and Dad can disregard his aura and live through it! Oh, right. And my grandpa can, too.”
I remembered the first time I showed up at his office. He’d been chastising his subordinates, and they had looked absolutely petrified.
“I can’t imagine him being someone like that. He always seems so polite and friendly…” I said.
Soleil studied me with a look of interest. “You seem to have a very good impression of my brother, Taylor.”
I kept my eyes on the road to hide my racing heart. Was she testing me?
“Who wouldn’t? He’s pretty much a dreamboat. Everyone would think so,” I replied.
1/2
+25 BONUS
Chapter 142
“No, I’m only interested in what you think.”
My smile turned a little awkward. I grew a little… alarmed. I think he’s a pretty stand–up guy. He repays everyone’s kindness and is quick to lend a hand.”
Soleil silently studied my face with a mysterious half–smile
I couldn’t look away from the road to meet her eyes, but I could feel her gaze burning through my cheek.
I feigned a chuckle. “Why are you staring at me like that?”
“No reason,” she answered sweetly and returned her gaze forward. “My brother isn’t being nice to you just to repay his debt, you know.”
My heart raced.
“What else could he even want?” I asked.
“You reeeally can’t tell?” she asked pointedly, her eyes on me again.
“Nope!”
“Hee hee.” She snickered. “I, for one, am interested to see how long both of you are gonna keep playing this charade.“
My heart raced.
“What else could he even want?” I asked.
“You reeeally can’t tell?” she asked pointedly, her eyes on me again.
“Nope!”
“Hee hee.” She snickered. “I, for one, am interested to see how long both of you are gonna keep playing this charade.”
I bit my lip. My heart was thumping.
Was she telling me that Soren actually had feelings for me? Could that be it?!
