Chapter 51

Ari didn’t answer until he’d finished typing a reply. ‘Just thanking me for the gift. Apparently, she’s quite smitten with it.’ Dashiell’s smile faltered. ‘What did you get her?’ Ari raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. ‘Something she’ll enjoy.’ ‘Well, I snagged her a Renoir at Sotheby’s. That’s a gift, not a trinket.’ Ari chuckled. ‘Expensive.’ ‘She’s worth it.’ Ari spun in his seat to face him. ‘Are you interested in Elodie, Dashiell?’ His eyes, usually sunlit with amusement, were narrowed now, searching for the truth. Dashiell’s heart hammered against his ribs. ‘What if I am?’ Ari’s frown deepened. ‘But you said...’ he started, then stopped, searching for the right words. ‘Two weeks ago, you said you weren’t interested.’ ‘Hey, I never said that. Just that I wouldn’t stand in your way. We are both grown-ups, right? Fair game.’ Ari’s eyes narrowed. ‘So, this is a competition now? You vs. me for the Elodie crown?’ ‘Why not? She’s single, I’m single. Winner takes all,