Chapter 11

Aaliyah’s POV

Orrin’s words hung in the air—“I’m not leaving it”—and his gray eyes pinned me in place, that half-grin making my heart do a traitorous flip.

The Chicago conference lobby buzzed around us, and when the conference ended, it was like we were alone, the tension crackling.

I spun on my heel, my heels clicking on the marble, desperate to escape before I let his charm pull me under.

“Aaliyah, wait,” he called, his voice softer, and my steps faltered.

I turned, clutching my notebook, my voice sharp.

“Why, Orrin? So you can sweet-talk me again? Take me to dinner, then cozy up with some famous actress? I’m not that gullible.”

His grin vanished, his eyes narrowing.

“Actress? Wait, Lila Voss? That’s why you’ve been dodging me.”

I crossed my arms, my chest tight. “Don’t act surprised. I saw the photos—Le Bernardin, you and her, right after I left. What? You think I’m stupid?”

He chuckled and stepped closer, his voice low but steady.

“You’re not stupid, but you’re wrong. Lila’s my sister, Aaliyah. Married, different last name, and we keep it quiet to avoid the media from knowing. That night, I ran into her outside, we grabbed a drink to catch up, and the paparazzi twisted it.”

My breath hitched. Sister? I searched his face for a lie, but his eyes were open, earnest, a flicker of amusement in them. Was he enjoying this?

“Your sister,” I said, barely audible. “You’re not joking?”

“Swear on my jet,” he said, a small smile breaking through. “I’m not playing you, firecracker. I wouldn’t.”

My cheeks warmed at the nickname, and I looked away, my throat tight.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner? You let me think the worst.”

“I tried,” he said, running a hand through his dark blonde hair.

“Voicemails, notes, showing up at your office—you were too busy playing hide-and-seek under your desk.”

I flushed. He knew? A laugh slipped out despite myself.

“I wasn’t… okay, maybe I was. But I thought you were two-timing me.”

He chuckled, the sound warm. “Gotta admit, it was cute. But now you know. Lila’s family, and the only woman I’m chasing is you. Can we hit reset?”

My heart wavered, his sincerity chipping at my walls. “I need time, Orrin,” I said, my voice softer. “It’s not just about Lila. I trusted someone before, and it broke me.”

He nodded, his smile gentle. “Fair enough. I’m not going anywhere. How about coffee? Nothing else, just talking.”

I shouldn’t have, but I nodded. “You’re buying.”

“Always,” he said, grinning, and led me to the lobby’s café, a cozy spot with plush chairs and the scent of espresso.

We ordered lattes, and he teased me about my “fancy” order—extra foam, no sugar.

“High maintenance, firecracker,” he said, winking.

“Keep it up, and this latte’s going on your suit,” I shot back, but my lips twitched.

His banter was effortless, pulling me out of my head, and for the first time in weeks, I felt… lighter.

We talked—about the conference, my firm’s new clients, and his latest merger.

He listened, his eyes never leaving mine, and it stirred something warm. But then his gaze flicked past me, his jaw tightening.

“Don’t look now,” he said, his voice low, “but we’ve got company.”

I frowned, starting to turn, but he leaned across the table, his hand brushing mine, sending a jolt through me.

“Eyes on me,” he said, his grin strained.

But I didn't listen. Did he really think he'd stop me after making me curious? I tried to swerve right out of his barricade.

But then, before I could react, he leaned in, his lips brushing mine in a soft, lingering peck. I gasped and my cheeks flushed.

It was gentle, barely there, but my heart slammed against my ribs and my face burned.

He pulled back, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Sorry, firecracker. Had to distract you. Your cheeks are redder than a lobster, by the way.”

I gaped, my hand flying to my lips. “You—did you just—Orrin!” I yelled but not too loud. My voice was a mix of shock and embarrassment.

He laughed, leaning back. “What? It worked, didn’t it? You’re not looking anywhere else now. And damn, you’re cute when you blush like that.”

“Stop it,” I said, swatting his arm, and trying to calm myself down despite my heart racing. “What was that even for?”

“Just keeping you focused,” he said, his grin wicked. “Some conference types I’d rather you didn’t deal with. You good?”

I nodded, still reeling, my lips tingling. We kept talking, his teasing kept me flustered, his hand grazing mine, and the café faded, the world narrowing to us. It was terrifying, but I didn’t pull away.

We left the café, strolling through the hotel’s atrium, conference attendees bustling around. Orrin stayed close, his shoulder brushing mine, and I let myself enjoy it, just for a moment.

The day passed in a blur of panels and networking, and I threw myself into work, trying to ignore the warmth his kiss had left behind. I didn’t see him again that day, but his grin haunted me, and I hated how much I missed it.

Two days later, the conference was winding down, and I was at the hotel’s rooftop bar, sipping a mocktail and chatting with a potential client. The Chicago skyline glittered, the air crisp.

I excused myself to the restroom, and on my way back, I froze. Across the bar, near a private booth, was Henry.

His dark brown hair, his sharp jaw—it was unmistakable.

And beside him, Aurora, her blonde hair sleek, her laugh cutting through me like glass. They didn’t see me, too wrapped up in each other, but the sight ripped open every wound. Henry’s arm around her, Aurora’s smug smile—it was like watching my life fall apart all over again.

But what I hated most right now— was the effect seeing them together still had on me. I thought I had moved on even a bit.

My eyes stung, and I ducked behind a pillar, my breath shaky.

I overheard a waiter nearby, talking to a colleague. “Those two? They're on a business trip. Power couple, right?”

My stomach churned. They were here, in this hotel, flaunting their happiness while I was still picking up the pieces.

Tears spilled over, and I wiped them away, my hands trembling. I couldn’t face them, not now. But the anger, the betrayal—it burned. It still did.

And of all times, Orrin’s words echoed now: I’m your match. Maybe he was right. Maybe I needed him to make them pay.

I fumbled in my purse, pulling out his business card, the edges worn from weeks of carrying it. My fingers shook as I dialed his number, my heart pounding. He answered on the second ring, his voice warm.

“Aaliyah? You okay?”

“I… I need to see you,” I said, my voice thick with tears. “Can we meet? Now?”

“Where are you?” he asked, no hesitation. “I’m coming.”

“The rooftop bar,” I said, wiping my eyes.

He was there in ten minutes, striding through the crowd, his suit slightly rumpled, his eyes scanning until they found me.

I was tucked in a corner, the tears from earlier wiped off as soon as I sighted him.

His expression softened as he approached. “Aaliyah,” he said, his voice gentle, “what happened?”

I swallowed, my voice breaking. “Did you see them? Henry and Aurora? Is that why you kissed me the other day?”

His eyes widened and he sighed, ruffling his hair with his hand.

He stepped closer, his hand reaching for mine. “Did you see them?”

I nodded slowly, “they were together. Happy. Is that why you distracted me? Did you know?”