Because You're Mine (The Gallaghers) by Layla Hagen

Author:Layla Hagen [Hagen, Layla]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: billionaire romance
Publisher: layla hagen
Published: 2021-08-02T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Ian

One week later, on Friday, I picked up Ellie from Soho, where she was shopping with Isabelle in Tess and Skye’s store. We were going to Bear Mountain for our weekend getaway.

My phone beeped with an incoming call on the way. I let it go to speaker.

“Hey, Ian!”

It was Henry.

“Henry! I haven’t heard from you in a while.”

“Sorry, man. Life at a law firm is crazy. What are you up to?”

“I’m—just wrapping up the week.” I almost told him I was picking up Ellie.

“Cool! How is Ellie doing?”

“Damn, and I was so proud of you for only asking that question ten times this week instead of twenty as usual.”

“Dude! You can’t blame me.”

“Actually, I can.” I always liked riling up Henry, teasing him for being the most overprotective person I know. Because I knew Ellie better now, of course I understood it. The bullying story at school still made me see red. I could sympathize with Henry. Dialing down the worry wasn’t easy. It wasn’t a switch you could just flip on and off.

“She’s okay, man. I think she’s got a lot more work than usual, but she’s enjoying it.” There, that wasn’t a lie. But I didn’t like keeping things from my best friend. I wanted to talk about this with Ellie. The last few times we’d been out we never got around to it—but I was going to talk to her about it over the weekend. Initially I’d been completely on board with her suggestion to keep things on the down low, because it didn’t make sense to get his hackles up when we weren’t sure what was going on between us. But things were different now. I couldn’t be the only one noticing the change. I didn’t want to keep lying to my best friend.

“That’s good. I was thinking about visiting her, but not sure when.”

“Did you ask her when it would be a good time?”

“No, not yet. I’ll do that.”

“Cool. She’ll be happy to see you. Want to go out while you’re here?”

“Sure.”

We spoke a bit about what we could do. I missed my best friend, and that just added to my guilt.

I knew he wasn’t going to be pleased, because he wanted the best for his sister, and I was far from that.

But I wasn’t the same guy I was in college. And ever since meeting Ellie, I felt different. I’d never felt as free or as happy as when I was with her. Ellie unlocked a side of me I hadn’t been aware of.

When I arrived in Soho, I parked and sat in an ice cream shop opposite Soho Lingerie, watching them through the window display. I only saw Ellie’s back. She was with Skye in front of a rack of merchandise. I was pleased with how well she fit in with my family and friends. I remembered how much she enjoyed herself at the dinner with my parents. She didn’t just exchange pleasantries. I heard her ask Mom about herself and then details of my childhood.

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