Marry my best friend のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 11 - チャプター 20

Natalie’s POV The city was dipped in dusk by the time I left the boutique. The air had the crisp bite of early spring, whispering promises of new things just around the corner. My boots clicked softly against the pavement as I walked aimlessly, not toward anything in particular—just… away from the buzz of construction and decisions. Whether I wanted to admit it or not, this was tiring. Yes, it's something I wanted, but it was still tiring, all those decisions and designs I needed to make. I passed by cafés, their windows glowing gold, filled with couples leaning across tables and people laughing into wine glasses. There was something strangely comforting about it. The way the city didn’t care if you belonged. It just kept moving, beating on. I turned down a quieter street near Tribeca. Familiar in a way that made my stomach twist. That’s when I saw him. Luciano. He was across the street, stepping out of a sleek black car with his usual ease, talking to someone— Jacob. His coat f

Like he promised, Luke was standing in front of my apartment door, ready to be put to work. He didn’t even wait for a greeting before throwing a dramatic hand on his hip. “You’ve been living here for a month, and your kitchen and living room still look like a furniture showroom. I’m seriously judging you right now.” I crossed my arms and leaned on the doorframe. “Don’t judge me! I’ve been extremely busy, okay?” As I stepped aside to let him in, I tried to subtly swipe a scrap of fabric off the coffee table—the same piece that was sitting suspiciously over a half-eaten Chinese takeout container. Judging by the raised eyebrow he shot me, I knew he’d seen it a long time ago. He shook his head as he stepped inside, his eyes scanning the barely-decorated room like he was an interior designer on a home makeover show. “Busy, huh? Too busy to put a spoon in a drawer or hang up literally anything on the walls?” “What I lack in tidiness, I make up for in creativity,” I shot back, tossing t

I knew Luke was in a bad mood the moment I stepped into his office. He didn’t even look up when I entered, too busy tearing into a board member over the phone. His voice was sharp—measured, but barely. His knuckles were white around the stack of papers he slammed down onto his desk just as I closed the door behind me. Not exactly the warm welcome I was expecting before dinner. I hovered by the door, uncertain. “We don’t have to do this today,” I said carefully. “I’ll understand if you need to cancel.” He let out a tight sigh, dropped the phone onto its cradle, and ran a hand through his already-messy hair. Then, without missing a beat, he grabbed his blazer from the back of his chair and motioned toward the door. “No,” he said, voice low but certain. “I need to get out of here before I say something that gets me sued.” I raised a brow. “Are you sure? You look…” I hesitated, unsure how to finish that sentence without insulting him. “Like I want to throw someone out the win

Luciano’s POV - the morning after the Fair- 06:00 am I had a dream. Not that kind of dream. Not the one where she kisses me out of nowhere and I wake up sweating and annoyed with myself. This one was different. The kind that doesn’t leave you when you wake up. The kind that plants a seed and grows into a full-blown plan by morning, even though you know—know—it’s crazy. I’ll marry Nat. Yeah, I know. Insane right. But the more I thought about it, the more it made some ridiculous sort of sense. She’s my best friend. The one constant in a life filled with pressure and deadlines and board members who think a man without a ring is a liability. It all hit me after yesterday’s call with one of the board’s oldest, most irritating members—who basically implied, in not-so-many words, that I was too much of a “risk” to carry the company legacy unless I “settled down.” Like it’s in the fifties. But here’s the thing: I’m going to exaggerate the hell out of that conversation

Luciano’s POV - an hour later- I froze For a second I couldn’t think. Panic got the best of me “Hello. Is anyone there?” The sound of her voice makes jolted me back to my senses. I cleared my throat.” This is gonna sound out of pocket and maybe a little crazy. Actually full blown mind boggling crazy but I need you to hear me out okay?” “Oookay. Lay it out to me I guess” she said full of hesitation but I couldn’t really blame her. This was about to get crazy. “Marry me “ That was not how I wanted to say this but it seemed like my mouth had a mind of its self own. She was so shocked that she chocked on her drink and started coughing profusely. “Shit Nat are you okay?” I reached out to pat her back. “I’m sorry what?” she said baffled. “ okay I didn’t mean to say this like that but my mouth seems to have its own mind” I exhale. “You remember yesterday? That call with the board member I mentioned?” “Yeah. The one who basically said you’re a rogue bachelor and