Craving The Wrong Brother (Sloane and Knox) novel Chapter 166

Chapter 166

As I approach the table, I make a point of keeping my eyes on Ryan. But out of the corner of my eye, I can’t help but notice. Julie’s blouse. It’s been torture keeping my eyes out of the undone buttons. Focus, Luke. Don’t even go there.

“So, Ryan,” I say, clearing my throat. “I’d love to get a tour of Paragon Jewels sometime. See where the magic happens.”

Ryan’s face lights up, clearly thrilled by the idea. “Absolutely! I’d love to show you around. We could set that up right now, actually.”

Julie is silent beside him, her eyes fixed on the table as if she’s trying to disappear. She’s still fuming, but Ryan’s too busy playing host to notice.

“Would you like to come along, Julie?” I ask, the question innocent enough, but the tension between us is palpable. I’m giving her an out-she can decline, stay away from me for the rest of the day. Or she can come and we’ll be forced to play this game a little longer.

Julie looks up, her eyes meeting mine for the briefest moment before she turns to Ryan. “So, about my guest. He cancelled,” she says, her voice calm, controlled. “We’ll have to reschedule.”

Ryan blinks, surprised. “Oh? I totally forgot about that. Great news. That means you’re coming along, right?”

Julie nods. “Sure.”

As we stand to leave, I can’t help but steal another glance at Julie. Her expression is unreadable, but I know she’s still pissed.

I just have to figure out how to fix this before everything blows up in our faces.

As we leave the restaurant, with everyone heading for their cars, I stare at Julie. She slides into her car without a word, not even a glance in my direction. I’m tempted to follow her, corner her, and force her to talk to me, but I know better.

Pushing her right now would be like poking a bear with a stick.

Instead, I head to my car, checking my phone for missed calls, for anything that could distract me from the pit in my stomach. Julie’s voice is still ringing in my ears from our earlier argument, and that feeling-the one where I know I’ve messed up but can’t quite figure out how to fix it-is clawing at me. What am I doing?

We arrive at Paragon Jewels within minutes, and Ryan’s already there, practically bouncing on his heels, excited to show off his kingdom. Julie, however, is all business, her face set in a professional mask as she steps out of her car. No trace of the woman who had just chewed me out over the phone. She’s good at this-compartmentalizing. I thought I was the expert, but she’s giving me a run for my money today.

“Ready for the grand tour?” Ryan beams, throwing an arm around Julie’s shoulders like they’re the perfect power couple.

His touch lingers on her a second too long, and I catch the faintest flinch from her. Not that Ryan notices. He’s already marching ahead, leading us into the building.

1 follow, feeling like an outsider in a story I’m supposed to be a part of.

“Paragon’s been family-owned for generations,” Ryan says, his voice dripping with pride. “It’s one of the reasons we’re so successful. We keep things close-knit, just like a family business should be.”

Ryan continues his enthusiastic tour, walking us through the gleaming hallways of the Paragon headquarters.

“So, Luke,” Ryan says, pausing in front of a display case featuring a massive diamond necklace. “What do you think? I bet Couture Collective can’t wait to get their hands on this kind of craftsmanship.”

I nod, not really paying attention to the jewelry. My eyes flicker toward Julie, who’s standing a few feet away, staring at the diamonds but clearly lost in thought. Her shoulders are stiff, her lips pressed into a thin line.

1/3

Before I can say anything, a woman’s voice cuts through the air.

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