Page 56 of Saved By A Dark Billionaire
I mean, yes, he's told me he wants me and he wants to get serious. Is it shocking for his friends and family? Has he not had a serious relationship before?
"Oh, sweet girl, he most definitely is."
I shook my head, not believing Lucas, of all people, could bethatinto me.
"You're the first girl he's been serious with since Ivy," she said. I didn't fail to catch the grimace that played on her face for a split second. I furrowed my brows at the mention of Ivy. I've never heard her name before. Honestly, I don't know many of the names of the women Lucas has been with aside from Janessa.
"Who's Ivy?" I asked.
"Ivy was Lucas' girlfriend in college. She died in the same accident as John. The one that put Leo's dad in a coma for a year." She hung her head, picking at the sides of her nail beds.
"Who's John?" I asked, feeling a swirl of emotions at her answer.Killed. Last year was hell for Leo and Lucas. Between what I heard about Francesca and now Ivy, I am surprised Lucas is still standing.
"Geez, these guys don't tell you anything. John was Leo's older brother." My heart stilled, aching for Leo this time. He had lost his brother last year and now his father. It's a wonder he's still so kind and energetic. How is it he can keep such a genuine smile on his face?
"I had no idea."
I let my face fall in sadness. I felt guilty for not knowing, despite having no way of getting this information beforehand. I thought of them both and wondered how they managed through last year. When Leo told me the story of Francesca; he had said they leaned on one another, probably through grief. I feel like, despite them saying it's okay, I shouldn't be dating the two of them. I don't want to cause a rift in their friendship when they need each other. I am sure they're probably more like brothers than friends by now.
"It's a sad tale, so I'm not exactly surprised they didn't tell you," she said, taking a swig of her drink.
"How long had Ivy and Lucas been together when she died?" I was curious how long his most serious relationship had lasted before abruptly stopping.
"Three years. They met in their senior year of highschool, but didn't start dating till the summer before freshman year of college."
My eyes widened in surprise for a moment. Lucascanbe serious. He can be very committed if he wants to be. I don't know the details of his relationship with Ivy, but to have lasted three years, it must have been good. Granted, Julius and I had been together for over a year and he cheated on me. I guess length of a relationship isn't the most determining factor of how well a relationship is doing, or did.
"That's a while."
"They were happy. Lucas had actually planned on proposing to her that night. John had been distracting her the whole day so Lucas could prepare everything without her knowing. They were on their way there when they were hit."
Rachel looked like she could cry now, remembering it all. Hell, my eyes wanted to mist thinking about it. It sounded like some tragic movie scene. I could picture Lucas all dressed up with Leo at his side, waiting for her to arrive, and instead, be received with morbid news. How do you move on from that?
"He refused to date anyone. He wouldn't even look at other women. It wasn't until after a party, where there was drama with Leo and some girl, Lucas started seeing women again. I am not sure what happened, but we were all happy to see him dating again. We didn't realize he wasn'tactuallydating till a few months later. We realized he was sleeping around. He's been through a lot, Olive. You need to be careful, because he has grown exceptionally attached to you."
I felt my heart shatter and reset inside my chest. Only it didn't set back the same way. I felt deep pain for Lucas. He, indeed, has been through a lot. I am sitting here being insecure and immature about the women that used to be in his life when he very obviously told me the truth about breaking it off with Janessa. He is being serious about wanting me. I am still nervous and scared to let him fully into my heart. I don't want to be hurt the same way Julius hurt me.
I don't want to give my heart away so easily this time. Lucas may have been through a lot, but so have I. He'll have to show me he is serious about me. He can't just say it, and it can't be something his family tries to convince me of. I have to see it for myself. I have to believe it for myself. Otherwise, I'm going to keep swinging on this pendulum of insecure emotions.
"Thank you for telling me."
Rachel and I chatted a while longer, trying to keep the topics light. She told me she would be moving back to New York once she's done with her studies. She misses the noises and cold stagnant air here. She said she even misses the subway, to which I laughed.
"Rachel kept you good company." Lucas' voice came from behind me, cutting my laughter short.
"She did. She's great."
"I'm glad you think so." He kissed the top of my head as he passed by me, taking a seat beside me. He smiled at me so cutely. It was a smile I hadn't seen before. He looked so happy, like a small child full of joy.
"Did you finish working?"
"Sure did. I'm all caught up now, so you have my undivided attention. Sorry, I had to work." He looked very sad about the fact. I found it endearing he wanted to spend so much time with me he had pushed his work back.
"Don't apologize. Your job is important. In fact, you should make sure you stay on top of it. Don't fall behind on my account," I lightly scolded him. The right corner of his lip turned up in his signature half smirk.
"I'll do anything you tell me."
"Sure, you will." I rolled my eyes, not believing it.
