Chapter 112

[MIA]

After dinner, it was just the four of us when Ronan brought out the cake. With his hazel eyes, lighter hair, and that ever-present toothy grin, he radiated golden retriever energy. I could see why everyone doted on him.

His grin widened as he used the frosting I'd made to create a crooked smile on the cake before cutting it as if it were his birthday.

"Mia made this with a lot of love, by the way," he added cautiously before cutting two enormous pieces, giving one to each of the older Whitlock twins.

Aurora looked delighted, while Alex remained neutral as they both took a bite. Ronan pretended to take a piece for himself and one for me, giving me a mischievous look.

I shook my head, grimacing as I saw their expressions change. God. I wanted to disappear. This is my profession, and Aurora's first impression of my work was going to be that I'm terrible. That cake was sickeningly sweet.

Aurora started coughing, her eyes widening as she looked at her brother, who glared at her.

"What? Is something wrong?" Ronan blinked innocently, sounding almost offended on my behalf.

Alex shook his head, swallowing painfully. "It's perfect."

I bit my lip.

Ronan grinned foolishly. "Really? Let me have some."

"Nope." Alex snatched the cake away, out of reach. "Need to save some for tomorrow. It's that good."

I exchanged a look with Ronan, who looked like he was trying to stifle laughter. I, on the other hand, was blushing furiously.

"Let me have a bite," Ronan prodded, grabbing a spoon to take a bite from his piece, but Alex snatched that too.

"It's mine."

"But," Ronan pouted, "I need some."

"No."

"But—"

Alex took another bite. "I said no. It's mine."

I pursed my lips to hide my laughter, but my red cheeks betrayed me.

"I can't," I whispered to Ronan.

He mouthed "Shut up," but I couldn't.

"Please don't eat that," I confessed sheepishly, laughing softly. "Ronan added too much cake; I'm sure that much sweetness is poisonous."

Aurora's eyes widened. "You knew? And you still served it to us?"

I flustered. "Ronan's idea."

Alex glared at him, while Ronan grinned as if it were the happiest day of his life. "I didn't think Alex spared anyone's feelings, considering how brutally honest he is," Ronan teased smugly. "I guess Mia is the exception."

Alex scowled, while Aurora burst into laughter. "Yes, Alex, what the hell?" she asked. "Would you have eaten the whole thing?"

"No," Alex grumbled, but the three of us laughed as I mumbled apologies to no one in particular.

"Colleague's sister, huh?" Aurora playfully slapped Alex's shoulder, and I blushed even harder.

Alex, however, rolled his eyes, remaining motionless, shaking his head as if the three of us were the bane of his existence—and I think I liked that. Or maybe too much.

The next evening, we had to leave. Ronan was goofy, Aurora had been a little cold when I first met her, but eventually warmed up; Sofia was the sweetest; and Gabriel… I hadn't formed an opinion on him yet. He was nice, of course—Sofia married him—but I got the feeling Alex inherited his cold demeanor from his father. Nonetheless, I didn't want to leave. I liked being here, being able to talk to people and feel like a human, not a bird in a gilded cage.

There were many goodbyes before we departed, mostly directed at Alex. Sofia almost cried. I was sulking before we took off.

"What?" Alex raised an eyebrow, studying my expression. Dominic, usually uninterested in anything concerning me, was also listening intently.

"What?" I repeated, shrugging. "Can't I serve out my punishment here at your parents' house?"

He frowned. "No."

"But—"

"No."

I pouted harder, until the plane started moving.

"You look pale," Dominic observed.

"It's only my second plane ride ever," I glared at the muscular man—not my smartest move. "Okay, I'm scared."

"The first time I was on a plane, I piloted it," Dominic said, and I blinked in surprise because it was the first time he'd willingly spoken to me. Until now, I'd felt like a burden.

"But you knew how to pilot, right?" I chuckled nervously. "You took lessons, right? Right?"

Dominic's muscles didn't twitch.

"Oh my God," I gasped, shaking my head. "Good for you, but I'm still terrified. Your hand is going to be held during takeoff."

Dominic let out a disappointed grunt, and I didn't care. This was more than he'd spoken to me in almost a month. Progress. I was making progress in my new life.

Alex, however, didn't seem amused. He casually looked up from his iPad—because he was all business the second he left home—and looked at his right-hand man. "Switch places with me."

Dominic raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Switch places with me," Alex repeated. "My seat is highly uncomfortable."

"There are six other seats on the plane, sir."

"I want yours. Up, Dom."

Dominic grunted again, sounding more bemused this time, but he switched places with his boss nonetheless.

Alex sat next to me, and I raised an eyebrow.

"Plane's picking up speed," he said matter-of-factly.

I hid a smile. "I know."

"My hand," he said nonchalantly. "Hold it."

A smile broke across my lips as I took his hand, and he laced our fingers together.

Oh, he likes me.

I stared out the window, my smile too wide to contain. He really, really likes me. Which was great, because I felt the same way.