Happily Never After: MM Enemies to Lovers Romance by Ava Olsen

Author:Ava Olsen [Olsen, Ava]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-01-28T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

AARON

Ashort while later, I found myself sitting with Harrison in Stargaze, the cozy après-ski lounge, cognac in hand, bemused and…nervous. I hadn’t quite accepted his apology for that night so long ago, but some of the bitterness I’d been carrying around lanced. Maybe confession was good for the soul. A part of me wished I’d stayed silent and strategized an appropriate payback. But I had more important stuff on my mind than settling an old college score.

Like closing a multi-million-dollar deal. In true CEO fashion, my feelings would have to wait. The bottom line was far more important.

“Tell me more about the college version of Aaron Taylor-Ladner,” he quipped as he raised his glass to his lips, taking a long sip of his drink. “Or, I’ll tell you embarrassing stories about me. Which you can use to your advantage.”

He was at it again, flipping the script. His effort to put me at ease, though, only made me tense up. Harrison was the kind of man who, no matter the crime, would charm the judge and jury, evidence be damned. Which is probably what made him a great salesperson; he had charisma, determination, and an attitude that never quit. A way of getting people to talk. Even me.

Especially me.

“Not much to tell. I dropped the ‘Ladner’ name when I was at school,” I admitted. “I didn’t want anyone to know where I came from.”

“Smart.” He nodded and leaned closer. “You were determined to become your own person.”

“Sort of. It was more about craving anonymity than being bold.”

“It was a good idea. But also, risky. A well-known, well-to-do family name has its advantages, I’m sure. Everyone wants to be your friend.”

“But no one really is. And their reasons are often suspect,” I admitted. “Well, except for Shane Lofton. I grew up with him.”

“The artist?”

“That’s right.”

“I’ve met him.”

I startled, nearly spilling my drink. Did Harry fuck my best friend? And why did my mind go there?

“How?” I asked.

“At a networking event in LA two years ago. Some art showing I was invited to. He was very popular. I remember him distinctly because he had a gorgeous girlfriend on one arm and a beautiful boyfriend on the other.”

“That’s Shane. Everyone loves him.”

Harrison shrugged. “Eh, he seemed a bit full of himself.”

I laughed out loud. “And you’re not?”

Harrison didn’t reply at first. The flickering light from the nearby fire highlighted the sharp angles of his face. The man cut a stunning profile, and I couldn’t help but stare. He took a slow sip of his drink and licked his lips. Too late, he caught me staring.

“Oh, I am,” he finally replied with a smirk. “But in this circumstance, I meant that Shane talked over people.”

I shook my head. Harrison didn’t know Shane like I did. “Even if he did, it’s just because he’s a passionate person and full of enthusiasm. The life of the party. The opposite of me.”

Harrison eyed me intently.

“Don’t sell yourself short. You’ve got an intense appeal that’s engaging. You don’t need to shout to get anyone’s attention.

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