A Sweet Mess - Jayci Lee Page 0,86

an obstinate line, and his eyes snapped with frustration.

“Are you ashamed of being with me?” Her body trembled, unable to deny what he was telling her.

“No.”

“Then let’s go public.”

“Listen to yourself. You’re not making any sense. Our careers are important to both of us. Discretion is a necessary precaution to protect our reputations. Our future.”

“My future doesn’t involve being anyone’s secret.” Holding her head up high, Aubrey spun on her heel and walked away from him.

Landon didn’t try to stop her.

* * *

Aubrey had gone back to bed after leaving Landon on the street. She was awakened from her fitful sleep by the insistent ringing at the front door. The sun was beginning to set, and she struggled to fall back asleep—to forget and escape. But whoever was at the door refused to go away. Dragging her leaden body off the bed, she trailed down the stairs, bumping into the rails on her unsteady legs.

“Aubrey!” Aria nearly shouted in her face, bubbling over with excitement. But she took a step back as her smile slipped. “Aubrey? Sweetheart, are you okay?”

“Come on, my dear. Let’s have some refreshments, shall we?” Lucien, who’d been standing beside Aria, exchanged a look with her and firmly took control. Aubrey followed him to the kitchen, grateful for his warm strength.

“What happened?” Aria prodded gently when they were settled in the cheerful breakfast nook.

Aubrey mutely shook her head and stared down at her fidgeting hands, and Aria didn’t push her. After sipping the lovely iced tea that Lucien placed in her hands, she began to regain some of her bearing. The first thing she noticed was that Aria looked absolutely radiant. Next, her sluggish brain registered Lucien was also beaming with happiness. While they looked at her with concern in their kind eyes, they gazed at each other with breathtaking tenderness.

Aria was sitting across from Aubrey, and Lucien was standing behind her with his hand on her shoulder. Reaching up, Aria placed her hand over his. Her left hand. Aubrey’s ears began ringing at the sight of the exquisite diamond ring on her finger.

“You two are engaged,” Aubrey said in a raspy voice.

“Yes,” Aria confirmed, beaming at Lucien. He bent his head and gently kissed his bride-to-be.

“We wanted Landon to be the first to know,” Lucien said picking up the conversation. “I have a lot to thank him for.”

“If Landon hadn’t talked some sense into him, Lucien would’ve pushed me away once and for all, making ridiculous excuses like our age difference.” Aria snorted softly and rolled her eyes. She turned to face Lucien and poked her index finger into his chest. “You being seventeen years older than I am doesn’t make me a child. I’m a grown woman, and I know who I love.”

Lucien’s expression darkened as though remembering the pain he’d put them through, but the momentary cloud lifted when his eyes met her shining ones. “I know. You also know who I love.”

They’re so much in love.

Even through her anguish, Aubrey was thrilled about their engagement. They were wonderful people, and they deserved each other. She couldn’t cast a shadow over their happiness. With dogged determination, she pulled herself together and wrapped Aria in a tight hug.

“Congratulations.” It meant so much to Aubrey that her friend didn’t have to hurt anymore. “I’m so very happy for you.”

“What’s wrong?” Concern returned to Aria’s eyes. “Where’s Landon?”

“Everything’s fine. I think he went to run some errands.”

“You’re so pale, darling. Are you sure everything’s okay?”

“Honestly, I’m stressing out a bit about returning to Weldon and facing all the work I have waiting for me.” Aubrey managed a sheepish smile. “But that’s being ungrateful. Thanks to you and Landon, I’ll be able to finish renovations to the new location and open Comfort Zone again. I really am very lucky.”

“I can’t believe you’re already going back. I’ll miss you so much.” Aria squeezed her hand. “But I have a feeling we’ll be seeing each other soon to celebrate your engagement to Landon. He’s crazy about you, you know.”

Not enough to want a future with me. The calm façade Aubrey had put on began to crack at her friend’s well-meaning words. They needed to leave before she fell apart.

“Come visit me in Weldon.” Aubrey hurriedly stood. “I’ll let Landon know you came by. Congratulations again.”

After hugging Aria and Lucien, she gently sent them on their way. Even after she closed the door behind them, she didn’t shed a single tear. She felt as though her soul had dried up.

*