Faux Vows, True Desires

"You're Ruby's childhood friend. Even though I can't stand her drama, I have to admit you're totally smitten with her. No way in hell would I be dumb enough to marry a guy who's already got another woman in his heart."

Owen rolled his eyes, "Alright, I can live with that."

He'd been burned pretty badly by Ruby; he even thought about throwing in the towel a couple times. But every time Ruby played cute, trying to sweet-talk him, he just couldn't let go.

Now that Stefan had Lucinda, Ruby should get the message and move on. He still might stand a chance.

"I'll go make you a cup of coffee." Cecilia headed straight inside, and Owen acknowledged her with a nod.

Waiting was a real bore, so he got up and took a stroll around the shop. Even though Ruby had done a number on the place, after tidying up, you could still see its original charm. The interior was tastefully decorated and cozy. It was a nice place to grab a coffee, have some dessert, and shoot the breeze with friends.

"Cecilia, who did the interior design for your shop?"

"Lucy and I. We were on top of the workers every day, making sure everything was just as we designed it. Pretty good, right?"

"Who did the design?"

"Lucy. She studied design. She's just a free spirit who didn't want to be tied down in a corporate job. I wanted to open a shop, so I asked her to join me. We opened this coffee shop together." Business wasn't great at first, but now it was picking up.

Owen acknowledged her with a nod.

He'd seen Lucinda's profile. The woman had indeed studied design but chose not to pursue it due to her love for freedom. Had the design world lost a talent?

Now that she was part of the Anderson family and Stefan doted on her day and night, she was even less likely to go back to a corporate job.

"Do you want sugar in your coffee?"

Owen thought for a moment, "Just a bit."

Cecilia added a little sugar for him.

his coffee and handed it to him, watching him

eyes were particularly bright. She was beautiful, but her

you always serve your customers

had no choice but to return the coffee to where he was sitting earlier and put it on

Cecilia

gaze was clear with no hint of affection, Owen couldn't resist saying, "If you keep staring at me like this, I'll think you've fallen for me. Handsome guys like me tend to make

so many women falling for you at first sight,

shifted her gaze, "You enjoy your coffee.

book that's got

what's trending online, the bigwigs' stories always draw

our businesses; we're not entrepreneurs. Generally speaking, men who have achieved the same kind of wealth as the male leads in those novels are usually quite a bit older. The younger ones are in their thirties or forties and are already married." "Thank God you're not

a living writing novels? I'm more likely to be the male lead

I have Lucy write you into her novel as a side

my status and position, I'm only good enough to be a side character? Write me as the male lead. I wouldn't want Lucinda to write me into her novel. She's Stefan's wife, and

"Have you ever read a

a few to

did put in quite an effort for Ms. Scott." Cecilia's tone was

moment. He pretended not to notice and continued sipping his coffee that Cecilia had made for him, "If I love her, I love her deeply.

on Ruby, he would

of what to say

and neither of them was ever willing to back

them to have

want to upset him, especially

Martinez family's

a while, the butler came out of the house and brought him a glass of water. "Sit with me

"What would you like to talk

and got caught, and then they got mad. I tried to explain, but

enjoy chatting with them

were his peers, they had a lot