Chapter 9

(Julia's POV)

Ronan stalked out of the restaurant and I hurried after him, wanting to ask how he knew so much about pregnancy, but sensing this probably wasn’t the best time. I tried to catch up, but the heels I was wearing for work were no match for Ronan’s long strides.

I stumbled over an uneven part of the pavement, feeling an uncomfortable twist in my ankle. Before I hit the ground, I felt firm hands grab my elbows and haul me back onto my feet. Ronan had caught me, again. He seemed to be making a habit of it.

He looked down at my heels, brow furrowed. Before I could defend my shoe choice, Ronan crouched down slightly and hooked his arms under my legs. He straightened up, scooping me into his arms, and continued walking across the parking lot, carrying my weight like it was nothing.

My heart skipped a beat as I tightened my hold on Ronan. How chivalrous of him. I never dreamed he’d be so thoughtful. The moment was really nice; until Ronan opened his mouth, that is. “I can’t believe you.”

“What?” I asked, a little stunned. “What do yo—” Ronan interrupted, “I mean, my God, you’re about to become a mother, and here you are, carelessly stumbling around in 4-inch heels. You need to think.”

With those words, any nice daydreams I might have had about Ronan and I’s growing friendship were gone. Of course. This is the real him. The guy in the restaurant, being kind and charming, that was just part of our “rehearsal.”

He deposited me on the ground in front of the car, opening the door and practically pushing me inside. We drove the rest of the way to my house in silence, except for his terse question about my address and my response.

Once we pulled up in front of my place, I opened the door and said, “Good night, Ronan.” He hummed in response, but that was all. Yep, that charm really was all an act. I walked up the path to my house, but didn’t hear the sound of his car’s engine.

I looked over my shoulder and saw Ronan, still sitting in his car, watching me. It wasn’t until I got up the front stairs and was putting my key in the door, that he started the car. Before I could open the door myself, it opened to reveal Sandy.

She opened her mouth, already ready to pick another fight, but the growl of Ronan’s car engine distracted her. She watched his dark sports car pull away from the curb and drive away, then looked back at me, eyes narrowed.

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me.” I pushed past her, suddenly exhausted. “What, Sandy? What can’t you believe?” My sister followed after me as I set my purse on the coffee table and headed to the kitchen.

“You’ve got a sugar daddy!” she yelled. “How could I not have seen it? You’ve got some old, rich guy who hasn’t figured out yet that you’re a talentless office drone who’d rather look at a spreadsheet than sleep with her boyfriend, and you’re letting him pick up the tab for everything.”

“I mean, here I was, sitting around here waiting for you, so we could have a conversation about what you did to get put in charge of this merger, but you were out with some guy!” Sandy scoffed.

I opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. Sandy kept going, her face getting red with anger. “How did you even get a guy like that to look twice at you? God. Well, it’s not important. He’ll dump you soon enough.”

I set the bottle down heavily on the counter, trying not to lose my temper. That was what she wanted. “Sandy, you’re right. Okay? You’re right. I’ve moved on. I have a new boyfriend.” I smiled. “He’s kind, and thoughtful, and the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.”

“He’s a hundred times better than Kevin ever was, and ever will be,” I said. “And let’s face it. He was never much of a winner anyway.” I shrugged, then smiled. “So I guess it makes sense you’d run after him. You’re always mistaking trash for treasure.”

Sandy’s face was bright red, and it didn’t take her long to erupt. “Listen here, bitch! You think you’ve got it all figured out, don’t you? You’ve got the job, although I’m sure that’ll be naked away from you any day now, and you’ve tricked some idiot into thinking you’re something special.”

She pointed her finger at me angrily. “But don’t get ahead of yourself, Julia. You’re going to lose Acting Beta, and you’re going to get dumped sooner or later, so you should get used to the idea that this won’t last.”

“And besides,” she straightened up, rearranging her features into something that looked a little more pleasant. “I’m already passing you by, sis. I’m going to be part of high society. I was just invited to the annual Alpha mixer. I’ll be there, talking to all the biggest names in the city, while you’ll be here, crying into a bowl of ice cream.”

I didn’t say anything. I didn’t feel the need to. Why would I care about Sandy elbowing her way into some Alpha cocktail party, where she was sure to embarrass herself the same way she did tonight?

So, I just shrugged, picked up my water bottle, and took another sip. Sandy crossed her arms, waiting for me to hit back at her. When it didn’t come, she looked confused. “Oh, so you’re just going to give me the silent treatment?”

I shrugged, which just made her more mad. “You think you’re so great, don’t you? You just — I mean, you really think you’re going to — ugh, I can’t believe you’re being like this!” And with that, she stormed out of my house.

I smiled. For once, it felt like I had the upper hand in my ongoing fight with my sister, and it felt good. However, I did need to do a little damage control. I pulled my phone out and pulled up my text chain with Ronan.

Hey, just a heads up, I texted. My sister was here waiting for me and saw your car drive away. She doesn’t know it was you, but she’ll definitely remember the car, so maybe you should drive a different one to work for the next few days.

A few minutes later, my phone buzzed, and I steeled myself for what was sure to be a sarcastic and slightly angry message from my boss for being so dumb as to let my sister get a glimpse of the car.

Instead, Ronan’s text just read, Got it. Then, a few seconds later, You’re coming with me to a thing tomorrow. Private event. I frowned at my screen, but knew I didn’t have a choice. I text back, Fine, but I might need to take a long lunch break tomorrow so I can find a dress.

Don’t worry about it, Ronan replied quickly. You’re my Luna now, remember? It’s all handled.

I stared at my phone, feeling my cheeks start to heat up. His Luna. I’m his Luna. I couldn’t explain it, but something about those words made my heart beat faster.