Updated quickly for you all :) Enjoy

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Chapter 11

“You didn’t hear that Fiore…” Ian growled, glaring back at me. Fiore scooted closer with a smile.

“Do I get my dress back?” She asked menacingly, an evil glint in her eyes. I looked between the two nervously. Ian’s eyes didn’t leave mine as he answered her.

“You’re never going to learn your lesson.”

“Nope. Do I get my dress back?” She repeated, her tone firm.

“Fine.” He grumbled and Fiore clapped happily.

“Yay! No arson! Her house doesn’t have to burn!” She smiled and left the two of us in an awkward silence. Ian stood and we heard a “Good luck!” from Fiore, who seemed to be skipping back to the house as she added in a suggestive howl.

“So, I guess you remembered?” He started, and I nodded. My anger started to simmer again. It might only have been because I was letting my earlier upset fuel it.

“Yes, I remembered.” I snapped back. “You didn’t even feel it was necessary to let me know about it?”

“You didn’t have to go yelling about it! I thought if you didn’t remember, then it wasn’t that important.” He bit back.

“I was DRUNK!” I yelled. “You should have told me!”

“What a great political advisor you are! Drunk on the job!”

“That’s a low blow.” I retorted.

“It doesn’t really matter anyway, now does it? It’s not like it meant anything!” Ian snapped at me, and I felt my voice catch in my throat. I opened my mouth, but I was in shock from what he had said. It hurt more than I imagined it would. His face suddenly calmed and he looked ready to apologize but I held up my hand to stop him.

“You’re right. It meant nothing.” I growled before turning and walking away. I went back inside and saw Christine. I tried my best to blink back my tears as she walked over. “Can we go home?” I asked her, my voice breaking. She nodded, not asking me what was wrong. I guess she could tell I didn’t want her to.

“Leaving so soon?” I heard Chad from beside me.

“Yeah, Lana’s not feeling well.” Christine explained and Chad grasped my chin turning my face toward his. He looked at me closely, his eyes worried.

“You look pale, and your eyes are red. Have you been…crying?” He asked.

“No, not crying.” I lied. “Just not feeling great. Is it all right if we go?” I tried to pull my gaze from him, but he narrowed his eyes.

“Okay,” Chad replied, but I could tell he didn’t believe me.

The drive home was quiet and I fell asleep. I woke up as Chad was carrying me upstairs. My eyes fluttered open to see his solemn expression as he walked down the hall. He glanced down to see me watching him, but he didn’t smile. “Did you know you talk in your sleep?” He asked me and I merely continued to watch him. I couldn’t imagine what I could’ve said. “You mumble mostly, of course…” He explained, pushing open my bedroom door and shutting it behind him. “But then, some things manage to come through.” He lay me down on my bed and sat beside me, looking at the wall. The silence was thick, and stretched on for what felt like an hour.

“What did I say?” I finally asked.

“You called out for Ian.” He choked out, before looking back to me. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“Chad…” I breathed. I took in a deep breath and sat up. I was being ridiculous. I couldn’t let this thing with Ian ruin my life. Nothing had really happened between us, and nothing ever would. Why was I being so obsessive and emotional about it?

‘Because you’re a girl…and that’s what we do…’ a voice in my head mumbled.

“I just want the truth, Lana. That’s all I’m asking for. Don’t I deserve some honesty?”

“Okay,” I summed my words together in my head before blurting it out. “Yes, I had a small crush on Ian, but it’s nothing to be taken so seriously. I mean, it’s not like anything would ever happen between the two of us, okay? Don’t worry about it.” I put my hand on his cheek and made his eyes meet mine. “I’m very happy with you Chad, and I’d rather something this trivial not mess it up.”

Chad turned his body and kissed me gently on the lips. He pushed me down on my back and hovered over me, kissing down my neck giving me shivers. I trembled as I felt his hands caress my thigh. He pulled me closer against him as he began to suck on my neck. I let out a low moan and I felt him groan in response, pushing against me. He moved back up to my lips and kissed me again, moving one hand behind my neck. We finally separated, gasping for air and I looked up at Chad who was smiling.

“I’m very happy with you too, Lana.” He gasped, giving me one more kiss before getting off the bed. I couldn’t hide the disappointment on my face. I wasn’t quite ready for him to go yet…

“Where are you going?” I asked him, crawling to the edge of my bed in his direction.

“To my room,” he chuckled. Chad looked back at me with a smirk. “Hm, I remember when getting you to go out with me was like pulling teeth. Now you don’t want me to leave. I like this a lot better.” I rolled my eyes and gestured him back to me with my index finger. He shook his head with a laugh. “As tempting as that offer is, Lana, I’m afraid I should really leave before we go too far.” He continued on out my door, whispering, “Goodnight,” before leaving.

I wasn’t tired at all, so I took a shower and changed into some sweats before walking out into the hall. I suppose it was late, but I knew that Fiore’s party was still going, and that gave me permission to still be awake. I headed down to the kitchen for a late night snack. After what seemed like an endless search in the dark, I found some pastries and walked outside with it to the garden path.

I was walking for a while; the moon was dark so the stars were bright in the sky. I decided on a nice spot where I sat back and gazed up at them, munching on my snack.

“I wasn’t sure if you’d be out here. I guess I was right.” I jumped at the voice and looked over to see Ian a short distance away, his hands in his pockets. I could only blink, staring at him in shock as he walked over and sat beside me. He didn’t say anything at first and we just sat together in silence, gazing up at the sky.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I thought if it meant anything, you’d remember.” Ian finally said, and I looked over at him. His gaze hadn’t moved from the stars and I studied his face. He looked, solemn. It reminded me of his father, and I instantly didn’t like it.

“Of course it meant something. You just have to remember that I was drunk. Things tend to get fuzzy.” I giggled. He let out a chuckle, but his face returned to that same serious expression as he cleared his throat.

“I don’t know what there is between you and Amelia, and I understand if you don’t like her. I can’t force you to like her.” He paused and looked at me. I felt the hurt in my chest start. I knew where this was going. “I like her, Lana. A lot. I think this may be something I can follow through on. She’s a great match for me, and I have a responsibility has a prince. But I feel like…” Ian looked confused, like he couldn’t find the right words. His eyebrows furrowed together. “I like you too Lana. And I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t want you to think that I don’t…care about you or anything like that.” I had to look away from his face. There was a lump in my throat, a stone in my stomach, and a pain in my chest. I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Lana, please say something.”

“Don’t be silly Ian.” I finally whispered. These words were difficult to say, but I had to say them. “It was just a little kiss, right? It’s not like we were going to date or anything. I mean, I’m your advisor and not even of noble blood. I don’t see why we’re even having this conversation. Don’t worry about me.” I forced a smile on my face before meeting his gaze. “You’re one of my closest friends now Ian. Let’s not ruin that by something so silly.”

Ian searched my face for a moment before returning my smile. Then he did something I did not expect. He pulled me against him into a hug and kissed my forehead gently. “I thought I had everything before this summer started. Then you had to go and show up. I don’t know what I’d do without you. And now I have Amelia.” He paused. “I’m so glad I have you here helping me. I never tell people how scared I am of messing this all up, but I am. And I know having you here, you’ll always steer me in the right direction and be there when I need you. Thank you so much for that Lana.” That got me another gentle forehead kiss and he hugged me tighter.

I blinked back the tears threatening to fall as he held me against his chest. “You’re welcome, Ian. That’s what I’m here for. I’ll always be here for you and Christine. You don’t have to worry about that.”

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