Page 105 of Trusting Mr. Sterling
She kissed him again.
The party gradually thinned. Gabriel was helping Lucy pack up the remains of the cake when Knox appeared in the kitchen, holding a bottle of whiskey like a trophy.
“Last man standing,” he announced.
Lucy looked at the bottle. “What a stupid thing to be proud of.”
“It got me this.” Knox raised the bottle of something rare and Scottish and expensive.
“You could buy that ten times over for yourself.”
“That’s not the point.”
“Then what’s the point?”
“Winning.” He said it like it was obvious.
She stared at him.
“You’re genuinely the most insufferable person I’ve ever met.”
“Thank you.”
“That wasn’t a compliment.”
“Everything you say to me sounds like a compliment.”
Knox set the bottle on the counter.
“I can carry your equipment to your car, if you need help.”
She looked at him like he’d suggested setting the building on fire.
“You want to help.”
“Is that unusual?”
“You have never voluntarily helped me with anything. Ever.”
“Maybe I’m turning over a new leaf.”
“Or maybe you’re planning sabotage and want access to my vehicle.”
“That’s paranoid.”
“That’s experienced.”
They glared at each other.
Gabriel quietly stepped out of the blast radius.
“Children,” Tessa said from the doorway. “It’s my engagement party. Could you maybe not have your moment here?”
“We’re not having a moment,” they said in unison.
Then they looked at each other before looking away.
She caught Gabriel’s eye. They were both barely suppressing laughter.
