HANNAH (Silicon Valley Billionaires 3)

My sister, who missed nothing, frowned back. “What’s the matter?”

“It’s about Wes. He said he was buying a new house—he’s letting Ellis have the old one.”

“Okay. So why do you look like you might cry?”

“Because what if he buys a new house?”

Lauren twisted a lock of hair, looking stymied. “Then he’ll…have a new house?”

“And what? I’ll still be with you guys? I’ll buy my own house?”

“You can stay with us forever,” Lauren soothed, clearly misunderstanding me. She thought I was afraid of being alone.

“I don’t want to stay with you forever, and I don’t want to buy my own house.” I bit my lip.

“So, what do you want?”

“I want to be with Wes. I don’t want to just be young and carefree and have a fun weekend or only be living with him because it’s safer that way.”

Lauren’s face softened. “I’m glad you’re bringing this up, because I want to talk to you. But I don’t want you to get mad at me.”

“Okay…”

“Bear with me, it’s a little circuitous.”

I laughed. “Lauren, I’m used to the crazy-brilliant way you think.”

She sighed. “Li Na’s responsible for a lot. She hurt you, and she hurt me, and she hurt Wes. And Jim… She’s done terrible things.”

“I’m aware of them,” I said, still wary.

“I just don’t want you to…react to her.”

“I had a panic attack the other night, and I’m considering blackmailing one of her employees into working for us, remember? I think I’ve already failed.”

“You didn’t fail, but I’m worried. Ugh, I don’t know how to say this.”

“So, it’s personal—whatever it is you need to say.”

Personal was difficult for Lauren, even with me.

She bit her lip.

“Just spit it out.”

“I think it’s nice that you have Wesley, especially during this difficult time. It’s great.”

I arched an eyebrow. “But?”

“But, I don’t…I don’t want you to feel like you have to be so serious with him, just because he got shot for you.”

I almost fell out of my chair. “You think that’s why I’m with him? Because he took a bullet for me and almost died?”

“No. But it would certainly be understandable.”

I shook my head. “That’s not why

we’re together.”