Chapter 175: Cracked Defenses

Naomi looked over her shoulder. "Why would I be mad? She’s your friend, isn’t she?"

"Oh, I thought you were mad. That’s a relief. Lisa can be a lot, actually. Especially when she’s around Dorian."

"Hmmm." Naomi grabbed a small towel and wiped her hands. She had absolutely no intention of taking that bait.

None.

If Lexie wanted to explain exactly how much Lisa had always liked Dorian, Naomi could live the rest of her life perfectly well without those details.

Lexie turned toward the doorway. "I’m going to wipe the table before my boys permanently glue something to it."

"Lexie."

Lexie stopped.

Naomi considered dropping it. She could pretend everything was fine.

It was what she usually did. But after everything she had been thinking about over the past few weeks, hiding suddenly felt exhausting.

"Did you just want to hurt me?"

Lexie turned around slowly.

A wicked little smile appeared on her face.

"Why would I want to do that?"

"You’re disappointed. Angry." Naomi tightened the towel between her fingers. "You found out about the contract. You thought Dorian and I were something else, and now..."

"I am a lot more than that. I’m annoyed. Confused. Frustrated. Mostly with my brother, if we’re being accurate. But I wouldn’t want to hurt you."

Lexie watched her carefully.

Because yes, she had invited Lisa partly to stir something.

She had wanted Naomi to react.

But looking at Naomi now, Lexie was beginning to understand that she might have pushed harder than necessary.

"Are you hurt?"

"No," Naomi said.

"Dorian isn’t here. You don’t have to lie to me. Are you hurt?"

"Shouldn’t I be?"

"That’s not what I asked, Naomi." Lexie stepped closer, lowering her voice even though there was nothing gentle about the question. "Did seeing another woman interested in Dorian make you uncomfortable?"

"Was that why you brought her here, then? To make me uncomfortable?" Naomi gave a humorless laugh. "Wow."

"Were you hurt?"

"Yes!" Naomi snapped. "I am hurt. But not for the reasons you think."

Their raised voices finally caught everyone else’s attention.

Conversation in the living room died down almost instantly.

Daniel already knew exactly what his wife was doing.

Within moments, the family had drifted toward the kitchen door, gathered just outside.

Lexie kept her eyes on Naomi. "What reasons?"

Naomi looked down at the small towel twisted between her hands. "She’s perfect for him. She has her life together. She’s gorgeous. She’s nothing like me. She knows what to say and when to say it. She walks in here and she belongs." Her voice started shaking. "You’re all on the same level."

It sounded pathetic even to her, but she couldn’t stop now.

Lisa had been effortless.

Born into money.

She had known Dorian for years, knew his family, understood their world without having to ask where she fit inside it.

Naomi still sometimes felt like she had wandered into Dorian’s life by mistake and somebody would eventually notice she didn’t belong.

"Why should this concern you?" Lexie asked. "Why should it even matter, Naomi?"

Her chest tightened. "Stop."

"Why does it matter who is perfect for him?"

"Please stop."

"Why does another woman wanting him hurt you?"

"Stop, please stop!" Her body began trembling. "I don’t want to talk anymore." Tears burned behind her eyes. "Please."

Outside the kitchen, Daniel shifted uneasily. This was no longer funny. Even Eleanor’s expression had changed.

Dorian walked back into the house and immediately noticed his entire family clustered around the kitchen like the world’s least subtle group of spies. His brows pulled together. "What’s going on?"

Everyone turned.

Lexie heard him. She knew she was running out of time.

The second Dorian stepped into that kitchen, Naomi would shut down. He would protect her, pull her away, and whatever truth was sitting right beneath the surface would disappear again.

Lexie looked back at Naomi. "It shouldn’t concern you if another woman shows interest in him. You shouldn’t even think twice about it." She took one final step closer. "So tell me why it matters to you?"

"Because I love him!"

The second the words tore out of her, her knees nearly gave way.

She caught herself against the kitchen island, both palms pressing hard into the counter.

Lexie slowly turned toward the kitchen door.

Through the narrow opening, Ginny’s head was still peeking inside.

Lexie gave the faintest satisfied smile. "Ladies and gentlemen, my work here is done."

The door opened fully.

Dorian stood there.

And for once in his life, Dorian Heathcliffe had absolutely nothing to say.

Shock had wiped every other expression from his face.

Lexie walked past him, gave him a small pat on the chest and started pushing everyone else away from the kitchen. "Go."

Ginny looked like she might explode from excitement. "Now?"

Maurice dragged Ginny away by her collar.

Dorian’s eyes were fixed on Naomi.

Naomi finally looked up.

The dread on her face almost hurt to see.

She was still shaking. Her hands were damp with sweat, her fingers trembling against the edge of the island.

Dorian remained frozen. He had imagined this.

More times than he would ever admit.

He had wondered if Marianne was right.

If Lexie was right. If the way Naomi looked at him sometimes meant anything more than affection and comfort and the strange marriage they had built around themselves.

But hearing it? Actually hearing her say it?

His mind had stopped functioning.

"Don’t say anything, please..." Naomi’s voice broke. She hurriedly wiped at the tears streaming down her face, but they kept coming. "Please."

Dorian finally found his voice. "You didn’t mean that, did you?"

Naomi winced. "Ah..." She turned away from him.

The words were already out there.

She couldn’t drag them back into her mouth.

But saying them again felt impossible.

Dorian swallowed. "Naomi..." He stepped farther into the kitchen and shut the door completely behind him.

Naomi pressed her lips together. "Don’t make me do this."

"Why not?"

She shook her head. "I can’t." Her voice had gone small. She looked terrified.

"You..." His voice caught. He cleared his throat. "You love me?"