Highest Bidder Collection - Lauren Landish Page 0,78

me.

She wraps her arms around my shoulders, not even giving me a moment to stand.

I always look forward to seeing Anna. But as I look down to click my phone off and ignore the text message, I feel… broken. Everything is off-center and an emptiness fills my chest.

She squeezes me one more time and looks for the waitress, but she’s gone.

I huff a humorless laugh as Anna pouts and almost shrugs off her coat, but decides against it, falling into her seat and looking past me, into the cafe.

When her eyes reach me once again, that bright smile lights up her face. “You have a girlfriend,” she says, and her voice etched with awe.

I pick up my coffee and blow on it, not knowing how to handle this. I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks really. Zander and Isaac know the truth. My sister’s the only other person in my life who matters. But I’m sure as fuck not going to tell her the truth.

She leans across the small table and playfully smacks my arm as I set the cup down.

“Come on,” she urges me, “spill it!”

Her excitement brings a small smile to my face, although it doesn’t reflect what I’m feeling at the moment. “She’s a sweet girl, but I’m not sure how serious it is.” Lies. I tell my sister lies. I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life. But I know I’m not good for her. I don’t know if I can keep her.

“She’s so pretty!” Anna’s eyes go wide and she lets out a soft sigh. “I can see it in your face,” she says, and her voice is teasing.

I grunt out a laugh. “Leave it be, Anna.”

“You’ll bring her to the Christmas party?” she asks me. The hopeful look on her face is too much. Christmas is less than three weeks away. I already turned her down for Thanksgiving. I’d only just gotten my hands on my treasure, and with neither of us committed to spending the holiday with family, I made sure she spent it on her knees. It was the most successful holiday I’ve had in years.

“I have no idea if we’ll still be seeing each other by then.” As I say the words, I realize how much pain they cause me. The very thought that my treasure may be gone in less than a month physically hurts. Doubt and uncertainty are two emotions I don’t handle well.

“Tell me, how are your classes going?” I ask quickly to change the subject.

“Are you high?” she asks incredulously. “It’s Christmas break.” I take a sip of the bitter black coffee, wishing this meeting were over. I have three conferences left today and only then can I go home and take care of her.

“So, Mom called me.” Anna’s words bring me back to the present.

I can feel my facial expression harden as I wait for more.

“She said she’s sorry.”

It takes a lot for me not to roll my eyes at my sister’s naiveté. She’s a sweet girl and I love her, but she’s a fool.

“What else did she say?” I ask, although I can’t keep my voice even.

She looks hurt by my harsh tone and I instantly regret it.

She softens her voice and says, “She’s really sorry.” Her eyes plead with me, but I can’t. I won’t.

“‘I’m sorry, Anna,” I shake my head and look away, “I can’t-”

She quickly reaches across the table, taking my hand in both of hers as she continues, “I’m not asking you to do anything. I promise you.” My heart clenches looking at the tears in my sister’s eyes.

“I know what they did, and it was wrong. I just wanted you to know…” her voice cracks, and she sucks in a breath. “But I know you don’t trust them,” she says as her face falls.

I stand up and hug my sister close, rubbing her arm as she holds me back.

I hate that she’s so emotional and pulled in different directions. “It’s alright, Anna.” She’s put herself in the middle of this feud. She’s suffered from both sides. I went a long time without seeing her. I regret it, but at the time I didn’t want to be reminded of what I’d lost. I wish I could take it back. I wish I could protect her from what happened.

“I love you, Lucian.” She looks up at me, brushing away the one stray tear rolling down my cheek. “I hope you know that.”

I nod my head once, holding her gaze.

“I