Which, in my experience, summed up Tom.

“He was an asshole,” she continued. “Actually, scratch that. He is an asshole. I know Dad wouldn’t have wanted things to happen the way they did. It’s just that his death was so sudden. No one thought he’d drop dead of a heart attack.” Her voice trembled, and I turned my hand over and cupped hers.

“I know. Unfortunately, the fact is it did happen, and we have to live with that.” Something occurred to me. “How do you know he thought of me as a protégé? Did he say so?”

Her cheeks flared fire-engine red.

Intrigued, I leaned closer. “Tell me.”

She bit her lower lip. “He did. I remember because I paid attention any time Dad mentioned you. I had a massive crush on you. He used to tease me about it, but not in a mean way.”

I stared in shock. “He never said a word.”

Although it stood to reason my boss wouldn’t have told me his teenage daughter had the hots for me. It would have made me uncomfortable. But still, I couldn’t fathom why a pampered princess would have held me in such high regard in the first place. And did the feelings she’d had for me still linger?

I hoped so.

I wanted Willow Lennox, and I intended to have her. I could be patient though. Tonight wasn’t the time to make a move.

“Thank God.” Her blush deepened. “If he had, I’d have died of embarrassment. It was bad enough that Tom knew.”

“Ah.” Yet another thing for her brother to hold against me. “Well, you might have been embarrassed then, but you don’t have to worry now. You’re a beautiful woman and anyone would be lucky to have you.”

Her answering laughter was a little too loud. “Okay, so you know my big secret, and I know yours. Time for the really important stuff.” From her tone, I could tell she was trying to lighten the mood. “Who was your first epic crush?”

I went along with her change of topic. Considering the day she’d had, I could understand why she needed to veer away from the deeper stuff. “Jessica Alba.”

She gave me a look. “When did you realize it wasn’t going to happen?”

I grinned, enjoying the way she teased me. “About the time she got married. I was heartbroken. Cried for days.”

She laughed harder and rested her head on my shoulder. “Stop! I don’t believe you, but it’s still too much.”

I tilted my head until my cheek sat on the top of her damp hair. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re sadistic? You’re getting far too much joy from my broken heart.”

“I am,” she admitted, wiping her eyes on the backs of her hands. “Thank you. I needed to laugh.”

I breathed in her sweet scent and silently admitted to myself that I was beginning to need her.

Chapter Nineteen

Willow

Sleep eluded me for hours. I should have crashed the second my head hit the pillow, but I couldn’t turn off my hyperactive mind. Instead, I lay in the luxurious bed and wondered how I’d come full circle to being infatuated with Ronan again. Somehow, he’d become my safety blanket. I curled up, cuddling my knees close. I’d felt so protected when he’d held me earlier. Now that I was alone again, all of my worries came crawling back.