Defiant Heir (The Heirs #3) - Michelle Heard Page 0,64
you were in two minds about joining Indie Ink. Have you decided what you’re going to do?”
I pull an unsure face. “I’ve been talking to Noah about it. He was going to take over the design department from Uncle Jax. He’s better with numbers than I am, though. We might swap, and Noah can take over the finance side from my dad.”
“So, you’ll take over from Mr. West then?” Fallon asks. “Honestly, I think that would be a better move for you.”
“We still need to talk with our fathers, so until then, I’m not sure what’s happening when I graduate.”
“It will all work out for the best,” Fallon encourages me.
We guide the horses around a bend, and then a beautiful sight greets us.
Fallon gasps, “Oh, Kao, it’s so romantic.” When we climb off the horses, I tie them to a tree so they can graze. The concierge will come to get them and take them back to their stalls, so there’s no hurry for Fallon and me to head back.
The resort has put up a canopy, and white lace gently flutters in the breeze. Pillows are scattered elegantly over the ground, and our dinner is waiting on a table situated in the middle.
With Fallon being under twenty-one, I had them give us non-alcoholic champagne.
I sit down opposite Fallon and grin at her. “I hope you’re okay with finger foods. I just want to sit out here for a while and enjoy the evening with you.”
“It’s perfect.” One of the horse’s grunts, and then Fallon asks, “Ah, how are we getting back if they’re taking the horses?”
“We’ll walk. I didn’t think it would be wise riding horses in the dark,” I explain. Taking the champagne from the ice bucket, I pour us each a glass. Holding mine up, I say, “Here’s to us having a weekend alone.”
“For the first time,” Fallon adds before we each take a sip. The fruity taste is refreshing.
“It’s still surreal that we’re sitting here,” Fallon suddenly admits.
“After everything that’s happened?” I ask.
“Not just that.” She pauses for a moment. “It feels like it’s taken forever for us to get here.”
“Sorry I’m so slow,” I chuckle.
Fallon places some cheese on a couple of crackers and hands me one, then she says, “When I asked you to the prom, I was kind of hoping you’d get the message that I liked you.”
Tilting my head, I reply, “But you asked me as a friend.” I begin to frown. “Didn’t you?”
She shakes her head and first swallows the bite she took. “I was already head over heels for you back then. You have no idea how happy I was when you said you’d go with me.”
Reaching across the table, I place my hand over Fallon’s. “We’re together now.”
“Yeah.” A happy smile stretches over her face. “And now is all that matters.”
Chapter 24
FALLON
As the sun sets and the sky is filled with brilliant colors, I wish Kao could see it.
We’ve been gorging ourselves for the past two hours and just talking about everything. I realize this is what I’ve needed most. Just me and Kao communicating about the important things in our lives.
Kao takes a sip of his champagne, then says, “To think in four months, everything will change again.”
A frown forms on my forehead, and I ask, “What do you mean?”
“Jase, Hunter, Noah, and I will be moving out of the suite. I’ll have to go house shopping during the summer break.”
He pulls a worried face that draws a chuckle from me. Kao hates anything that forces him to interact with people. It has me offering, “I could make you a list of properties you might like?”
Kao’s eyebrows pop up. “That would be amazing. Actually, if you love the house, I’ll just sign on the dotted line.”
“Hmm… that’s a lot of trust you’re placing in me,” I tease him.
“Why? We might as well choose a house we both love because you’ll move in eventually,” Kao states in such a nonchalant way it has me gaping at him like a fish out of water.
“You want me to live with you?” I ask, still feeling ripples of surprise trickling through me.
“Of course.” His mouth curves into a sexy grin. “Or do you plan on dumping my ass any time soon?”
“Not a chance in hell,” I grumble. “Next time you try to get rid of me, I’m kidnapping you and tying you to my bed.”
I try to make a joke about it, but I still feel embers of hurt smoldering in my heart.
Kao