Loyal Heir (The Heirs 4)

“Yeah.”

“Let’s get something to drink,” Uncle Mason mutters. We leave the women by Aria’s artwork. Reaching a table with beverages and snacks, I grab a bottle of water while Uncle Mason picks up a flute of champagne.

His eyes land on me. “Is everything okay between you and Aria?”

“We had a falling out, but we’re working through it.” I won’t even try to lie to Uncle Mason.

“Mind if I ask what the fight was about?” he asks. He reaches for my arm and pulls me to the side, so we’re out of the way of the other attendees.

Opening the bottle, I take a sip, then answer, “We got our signals crossed.”

“With?”

This is the last conversation I want to have with him, but I know there’s no way around it. “We’re dating.”

Uncle Mason’s eyes widen for a moment. I expect a strong reaction from him. Anger, a warning, disappointment. Hell, I’m even prepared for a slap upside the head.

Instead, he tilts his head. “For real?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

A knowing smile tugs at his lips. “So what’s the problem then?”

“I think she’s still adjusting to the fact that we’re in a relationship,” I reply.

“Yeah,” Uncle Mason murmurs. “She takes after her old man. Just give her time to get used to the idea.”

I glance to where Aunt Kingsley and Aria are, and my gaze drifts over the black dress she’s wearing. She looks fucking gorgeous.

Uncle Mason places a hand on my shoulder, then asks, “Aria is staying in San Francisco tonight so she can visit the other galleries in the city. Are you also staying over?”

“Yeah, I’ve booked a room at The Andreas,” I inform him.

Then finally, he gives me the look of warning. “It pains me to say this, but you better use protection. I’ll chop it off if you impregnate my daughter.”

I let out a burst of awkward laughter. “I don’t have a death wish.”

ARIA

We all gather around as Professor Neel goes to stand by a veiled piece. “Thank you for joining us tonight to celebrate our future artists,” he begins the speech.

Dad wraps his arm around my shoulders, and Mom takes hold of my hand.

Professor Neel talks about the history of the gallery, then he gestures to the veiled painting, saying, “I’m honored to have this talented student in my class.”

I glance at my painting where it’s hanging on the wall, and even though I’m not the winner, it still fills me with pride to have it on display tonight.

“This young artist captured the meaning of life.”

I turn my attention back to Professor Neel. He pulls the cloth off the canvas, and then goosebumps rush over my body.

I lift my hand to my mouth as the surprise stuns me. It’s the painting of my memories with Forest. I didn’t enter it, and Professor Neel must’ve taken it from my easel.

“Miss Chargill, can you join me, please?” Professor Neel asks.

“My baby won,” I hear Daddy murmur as I move to the front. When I go to stand next to my painting, I glance at my parents, and the pride on their faces is all the reward I need.

My gaze moves to Forest, and his proud smile fills me with warmth.

“Can you tell us what inspired this piece?” Professor Neel asks.

I clear my throat, and my eyes lock on Forest. “My best friend. I wanted to immortalize our memories on canvas.”

I know we have to talk at some point, but standing in front of the elevator as we leave the gallery, my heart is stuck in my throat, and my stomach buzzes with nervous energy. Dad and Mom left before the cocktail party so they could get back to Ojai Valley.

It’s just Forest and me now. I still have no idea how I’m going to tell him about Eli. It fills me with shame, just thinking about what happened.

I’ll just have to push through once we get to the hotel. Like Carla said, I have nothing to lose.

The past week has been unbearable. I’ve missed Forest terribly, and I hate that everything is so messed up between us.

The doors slide open, and Forest places his hand on my lower back as I move forward. When the doors shut, we stand right next to each other, our sides touching.

I’m overly aware of him, his scent, his breathing… every single thing.

Even though things are a mess between us, he still came tonight.

The elevator slows to stop on the ninth floor, and as the doors begin to open, I feel a slight jiggle. Before I can comment about it, the jiggle grows to a full-blown tremor. A rumbling noise fills the air, and with a panicked shriek, I lose my balance. Forest grabs hold of my arm, and as he takes a step forward, the elevator suddenly plunges, yanking a frightened scream from me.

I can hear cords snapping, and we lurch before dropping faster. A sharp beeping sound begins to resound around us.