Chapter 211

When Steven saw the photo, all his worries disappeared. It really was Lucie.

[Where are you? Who are you with? Why aren't you home yet? It's already late.] June replied right away. [Just hanging out at a club with a friend.]

She didn't even wait for his response before sending another selfie, this time with Lucie.

[This is my new friend. Isn't she gorgeous?]

Steven glanced at the pic. Lucie looked as fresh and beautiful as ever, like one of those girls out of a dream. The girl next to her was cute too, but that pastel-pink hair? Way too much. She looked like a total troublemaker. Not his type at all.

[So? What do you think? Isn't she pretty?] June pressed, looking for a reaction.

[Mmm. She's not as pretty as you.]

June pouted, shooting Lucie a sideways glare. Seriously? He actually said another girl wasn't as pretty as her? That called for some payback.

[I miss you. Send me a pic, something wild.]

Steven's lips curled into a smile.

[Someone's feeling naughty tonight.]

[Yeah, I miss you. Hurry up, send one.]

He hesitated, then decided to tease her a bit.

[Be good, baby. When I get to Westbrook, you can see the real thing.]

[Nope. I want it now.]

Steven waited a few seconds, then gave in. He slipped out of his pants and snapped a photo-just his lower half, no face.

A message notification popped up on June's phone. She immediately opened it, sneaking a look under the table.

The second she saw the picture, her mind went blank. Her whole body heated up and, just like that, her nose started bleeding.

"Whoa... Whoa... Whoa..." she whispered, eyes glued to her screen. “This is insane. He's lethal."

She stared, absolutely stunned, as blood dripped from her nose. She'd always had a thing for guys like Steven-tall, handsome, and seriously well built. He ticked every single box.

Lucie's eyes widened when she saw the blood. She scrambled for napkins. "June, you've got a nosebleed!"

June finally snapped out of her daze, grabbing the napkins and pressing them to her nose. "Don't worry. Happens when I get excited. It's an old problem." Then she shot Lucie a look full of envy. "Girl, you really know how to pick them."

"Huh?" Lucie glanced down at her plate, thinking June was talking about her meal. "Do you want some of my food?"

June nodded, eyes dreamy. "Obviously. Who wouldn't?"

"I'll share with you," Lucie said, pushing her plate over.

Elio, who'd been silently watching from across the table, rolled his eyes. He and June had grown up together and he knew her too well. She was clearly crushing

on someone.

"No, not this," June said, waving Lucie's plate away.

"Then what do you want? I'll get it for you," Lucie offered.

"Hehe, I want some fruit."

"Okay, I'll go get you some!" Lucie jumped up and headed for the fruit bar.

The moment Lucie was gone, Elio snatched June's phone. "Who're you obsessing over this time?"

June quickly locked her screen. "Elio, give it back! Don't be nosy!"

"Come on, spill."

June pouted. "You act like you don't care about me, so why do you care who I talk to?"

Elio snorted and pressed her thumb to the phone, unlocking it. "You can flirt with whoever you want, except for one person."

"Oh yeah? Who?"

"Steven," Elio said, his tone icy.

He opened her messages and instantly regretted it. His blood pressure shot up. She really was flirting with Steven.

"June, have you lost your mind? Out of all the guys in the world, you had to pick him?"

June snatched her phone back, looking defiant. "Why not? And for the record, I'm helping you."

He narrowed his eyes. "How exactly?"

She flipped her hair. "If I get Steven, your biggest competition is out of the picture."

Elio's jaw clenched. "So you think I can't win against him?"

"Come on, Elio. Four years ago, you didn't stand a chance. What makes you think

it would be different now?"

"You" Elio was speechless. She really knew how to hit where it hurt.

"Let's make a deal," June said mischievously. "You marry me. We'll get the certificate, then do our own thing. Once I get my inheritance, we can get divorced. Easy."

Elio scoffed. "Keep dreaming."

Just then, Lucie came back, balancing two plates of fruit. "What's going on? Are you two fighting again?"

June beamed and grabbed a slice of watermelon. "Nope, just hungry. Mmm, I was craving watermelon."

Elio flashed a teasing smile and took a slice too. "Nothing to argue about. Lucie, you always pick the best watermelon."

June muttered, "You two are unbelievable." Then she perked up. "After our massages, let's stay here tonight."

Lucie shook her head. "I can't. I hate

sleeping anywhere but home. I've got to go to the hospital tomorrow, so need to get back early. You two stay if you want."

Elio shook his head as well. "I can only sleep in my own bed. I'm heading back to

my hotel."

June groaned. "Seriously? You're both leaving? Am I supposed to stay here by myself? Lucie, can I come home with you?"

Lucie hesitated. She was living at her family's place, an old courtyard full of antiques and priceless stuff. She'd only known dune for a day and honestly, he wasn't ready to bring her home just yet.