Undone by Christina Lee

Author:Christina Lee [Lee, Christina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Christina Lee
Published: 2023-01-29T18:30:00+00:00

13

We all packed into the elevator, which was a bit too close for comfort as I was standing beside Rowan and could feel his arm brushing against mine. I should’ve been irritated instead of reveling in how it made the hairs stand on end.

Once on the rooftop, the view of the skyline was spectacular. Mom rushed to the railing to snap photos, and then we all posed while Rowan took a picture of us.

Mom insisted that Rowan be included and asked a stranger to help us out. She’d no doubt share the photos with my siblings and her friends, and I wondered what they’d think about what would undoubtedly look like a glamorous life, especially with that backdrop and someone as elegant as Rowan in the shots. It felt almost phony, but did it matter? They already thought I’d left small-town life for the big city and had all sorts of presumptions about that. I’d even tried to hide just how much of a struggle it was sometimes to afford living here so my parents wouldn’t worry.

Afterward, Rowan recognized someone from the bar and walked over to chat with her before returning to the ledge and the view that my parents couldn’t seem to stop marveling at. He stood apart from us as if to offer some privacy, but I found myself wandering over to him regardless.

“Thanks for being so kind to my parents,” I said, knowing they were out of earshot.

“It was no hardship. It’s lovely how supportive they are of you.” There was a certain sadness in his words that made questions form on my lips, but I had a feeling he wouldn’t be so gracious with me if I asked them.

“My mom is obviously enamored with you.”

He smirked. “How could she not be?” There was the arrogance I was missing tonight. Well, not exactly missing; more like noticing its stark absence.

“I appreciate that you didn’t treat them as small-town hicks.”

“Maybe you’re projecting?” He frowned, and guilt set up camp in my chest. Fuck, was I? Or was it my fear that others would see them that way, much like I felt when I first moved to the city? “Is that how little you think of me?”

“No, I…that was ignorant.” I was beginning to wonder if he only came across as so self-important to me. Maybe I desperately wanted to be annoyed by Rowan, so I—or my body, for that matter—wouldn’t have any other feelings or reactions to him. Was I being willfully blind to the thoughtful, kindhearted man underneath the diva facade?

“Besides, your mom has a better fashion sense than you, so she gets extra points.”

Relief washed through me as I playfully smacked him. “You take that back.”

“Never.”

His grin was genuine and magical, and I needed to stop staring so hard.

“But honestly,” he continued, growing sober. “You helped me out once, so I figured I’d repay the kindness, no matter how outlandish it was.”

I drew back. “Do you mean… Are you referring to the fundraiser?”

He looked away. “Obviously.

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