Chapter 2

Stella didn’t stay the night. She owned another condo in the adjacent tower, so she went back there.

The next morning, she came over with breakfast.

The table was spread with half a dozen gourmet pastries and specialty takeout. Carter smirked smugly.

"Did you order all this because you knew I was here?"

"Oh, wow, I love this bakery! They never do delivery. Did you line up at dawn for these?"

Stella glanced at him coldly.

"No. I forgot you were here, actually. I only bought extra because Logan doesn't have much of an appetite in the morning, so I wanted him to have options."

Carter gave a drawn-out "Oh," his fingers tapping rhythmically on his coffee cup. That was his thinking face.

If he’d only been mildly curious before, he was determined to conquer her now.

My grip on Stella’s hand tightened instinctively.

Feeling the squeeze, Stella looked up at me. I mumbled a quick apology and left the table.

That evening, they were on the couch again. When I walked in, Stella jumped up to greet me.

She whispered:

"Doesn't your cousin have a job? Why is he always here? Doesn't he have his own place? Why is he crashing with us every single day?"

I looked at her. "Maybe if you accept his friend request, he’ll leave."

Her expression froze. After a beat, she said:

"I just added him. He promised he'd pack up and leave tomorrow if I did."

"Oh," I said quietly, retreating into the bedroom. Stella followed me inside, wrapping her arms around my waist, asking if I was mad at her.

"I just didn't want him bothering us every day. I accepted it, but I can mute him! Look, I already turned off notifications."

She shoved her phone in my face, eager to prove her innocence.

I didn't say a word, but the disappointment was written all over my face. Stella spent the next hour coaxing me.

During dinner, she kept chatting with me, piling food onto my plate.

Carter watched with an amused smirk. "Our fairy princess is quite attentive, isn't she?"

Stella ignored him.

She focused entirely on telling me about the luxury retail chain she was launching.

Carter deliberately clinked his glass to draw attention. Once we looked over, he grinned.

"My bad. Got excited because you're talking about my area of expertise."

Turning to a bewildered Stella, he added, "My ex-wife runs a massive retail chain. She has endless distribution connections she shares with me. For Logan’s sake, I wouldn't mind helping you out."

He laid out the brand details smoothly. I could see the spark in Stella’s eyes.

She gave me a hesitant look, then turned to Carter.

"Wouldn't that be awkward with your ex?"

"Awkward? Nothing a night in bed can't fix. Just wait for my good news."

This time, Stella didn't say no. I knew that muted notification wouldn't stay muted for long.

Sure enough, once we were back in the bedroom, she said:

"Carter is pretty straightforward, isn't he? Reliable, too."

I looked up at her, my eyes welling with hurt.

She rushed over to comfort me.

"I was just saying! Do you really think I’d fall for a guy still hung up on his ex?"