Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 35

Lyman turned his head, his gaze settling on Effie's slightly pale face. His brow furrowed with concern.

He could tell something was off. His voice was low and gentle. "What's wrong?"

Effie shook her head. "It's nothing. I'm just a bit tired."

He didn't press further. Instead, he reached out and took her hand, his palm warm against hers, making her flinch ever so slightly.

"If anything's bothering you, promise you'll tell me," he said, his voice steady and reassuring, wrapping her in an unexpected sense of safety.

She looked at him and nodded. "Yeah. I'm fine. All that mess is behind me now."

Lyman knew she'd just seen her family-the Bagnolds again. He could guess who she meant by "mess."

"If it's behind you, don't dwell on it. Let's go get something to eat," he coaxed, steering the conversation away.

"Alright."

Suddenly, a car ahead swerved into their lane. The driver slammed on the brakes, tires screeching.

Effie lurched forward from the momentum, tumbling straight into Lyman's side.

a startled

around her waist, pulling her into his solid,

light cast a soft glow, dim

seen.

flushed a furious red, so

far, far too

Thump!

wild and unsteady,

steady thrum

down at her, his eyes

firm at her waist, the heat of his

deep, soft, and full of

out of her daze, squirming away from his arms and bowing her head so she wouldn't have to meet his gaze. "I-I'm fine... thank you,"

at her reaction, amusement flickering in

glancing back to apologize. "Sorry, sir, ma'am. That car cut us off and

off, his tone calm. "It's alright. Just drive

relieved, and carefully merged back into the stream of

Effie arrived at