CHAPTER SEVEN: ON ONE CONDITION

Faye’s POV

I inhaled deeply, staring at my reflection in the mirror. The soft evening light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across my face. My heart raced as the reality of meeting Sterling again settled in. It felt like stepping into a battlefield, except this time, I wasn’t shielded by lies or excuses—I had to be upfront about the date and the chaos that followed.

I grabbed my purse and slipped quietly out of the house, hoping Evie’s plan would buy us time. We needed to delay the gathering, and I had to convince Sterling to call it off.

Twenty minutes later…. 

I arrived at the cafe Sterling texted me about. 

The restaurant was quieter than I expected. I scanned the room with my eyes as I walked in until my eyes landed on him. I spotted Sterling by the window, his silhouette sharp against the dim light. He was staring out the window, and just for a moment, I thought about walking away.

“Evie,” he greeted me with a nod, standing up politely when I reached the table. We both sat down, and I couldn’t ignore the tension.

“Sterling,” I replied, my voice tinged with awkwardness. I couldn't shake the feeling that this conversation was about to go in a direction that I wasn't hoping for.

There was a brief silence before he spoke. “I wanted to clear the air,” he said, his voice softer than I expected. “Our first meeting was… complicated. And with this event coming up, I didn’t want anything unresolved between us.”

Complicated was one way to put it.

I was relieved that he addressed it first—it gave me an opening to explain, “I appreciate that, really. But there’s something I need to tell you.” I took a deep breath, gathering my courage. “The date wasn’t entirely my choice. My father’s been pushing me to settle down. He thinks it’s what’s best for me.”

Sterling leaned back, a frown forming. “So, you went along with it because of him?”

“Exactly,” I admitted, feeling a strange relief at finally being honest. “Everything is happening so quickly, and I feel like I’m losing control of my life. That’s why I agreed to meet up with you. I need more time. I know the gathering is important, but I’m not ready. Can we slow this down?”

I paused and stared at him. I went along with Evie's plan and threw it at him like bait, hoping he would latch onto it.

His expression softened, and for a moment, I thought I saw something vulnerable behind his eyes. “You’re not the only one who feels that way,” he sighed. “This wasn’t entirely my decision either. My grandfather’s pushing for it, and he’s... difficult.”

I bit my lip, unsure of what to say. All along I thought he wanted to get married. It was reassuring to know that Sterling was as caught in family expectations as I—or rather, Evie was. “I understand,” I said gently. “But I think we’d both benefit from taking a step back and giving ourselves time. All you have to do is cancel the gathering.” 

Sterling studied me for a moment, his brown eyes searching mine. “You’re right,” he finally said. “Rushing into this won’t help either of us. My grandfather’s stubborn, but I’ll talk to him. I’ll call it off.”

I felt a wave of relief, but then his tone shifted. “But, on one condition” he said, leaning closer, his voice lower and more personal. 

My heart skipped a beat.

“If I’m going to do this, we need to stop avoiding each other. No more pretending.”

He moaned and reclined in his seat. "See, I don't have any idea what other means to say this and I really want to know where we stand. I didn't expect to feel this way, but after the last time we met…. I can't stop thinking about you.”

I blinked, surprised by his words. This wasn't what i had expected, he was supposed to be cold and distant like the first time. His gaze was intense, and I could feel the air between us shift. This wasn’t just about family or the gathering anymore—Sterling was genuinely interested in me, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

“I…I don't know,” I whispered. “But let’s take things slow.”

Sterling’s lips curled into a genuine smile, different from the guarded one I’d seen before. “Slow works for me.”

*****************************

Sterling’s POV

The drive back to the office was quiet. My conversation with Evie played on repeat in my mind. She wasn’t what I had expected. There was something in her honesty, her vulnerability, that caught me off guard. I hadn’t anticipated feeling this way, but now I found myself wanting to know more about her.

When I arrived, Curtis was already waiting, his usual efficient self, handing me a few documents for review.

I set them aside. “Curtis, I’ve made a decision.”

He raised an eyebrow, silently waiting for me to elaborate.

“I’m cancelling the gathering,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “It’s not the right time. Evie and I agreed we need more time.”

Curtis’s surprise was evident. “But… Sterling, your grandfather has high expectations. Are you sure this is the best course?”

“I know what he wants,” I said firmly, though my tone wasn’t harsh. “But Evie's right. We’re being pushed into something neither of us is prepared for. It’s better to take things slow, and I’ll explain that to him.”

Curtis looked uncertain. “And if he doesn’t react well? This means a lot to him.”

I sighed, rubbing my temples. “I’ll make him understand. If he doesn’t, I’ll handle it.”

Curtis’s expression softened. “If this is truly what you want, I’ll support you. I’ll help convince your grandfather if it comes to that.”

“Thanks, Curtis,” I said, relieved. “I knew I could count on you.”

He smiled briefly. “Always. But why the sudden change of plans?”

“I thought I said it before, she—”

“Yeah I heard you the first time,”he said, cutting me off. “But that's not the real reason is it?” He smirked and raised his eyebrows in a teasing manner. 

Tsk. He could be annoying sometimes. “That's it, I swear. Nothing else.”

He gave me one last good look before leaving the office.

I stared out at the city lights, my thoughts circling back to Evie. There was something about her that intrigued me, something unexpected. Maybe this arrangement wouldn’t be so bad after all.