The Next Line ( The Lineage Series #2)

Aurora

The first thing Lena says when she sees me is, "You look stressed."

I barely have time to sit down before she slides a cocktail across the table and gives me a look.

"Hi, Lena," I say dryly, taking my seat in the dimly lit booth.

Ginny, already sipping her drink, grins. "She's not wrong, though. You've got that I need a drink or I'll lose my mind face."

I sigh, rubbing my temple. "It's been a long couple of days."

Lena raises an eyebrow. "Right. Because moving into your gorgeous new house in the middle of New York must be so difficult."

I glare at her, but she's not wrong.

I've had worse problems.

Lena smirks, propping her chin on her hand. "So, what's actually bothering you? The house? The boyfriend? Or..." She pauses, eyes glinting. "The boy next door?"

I freeze mid-sip.

Ginny gasps. "Wait. What boy next door?"

Lena grins. "She hasn't told you?"

I shoot her a look. "There's nothing to tell."

"That doesn't answer my question," Ginny says, now intrigued.

I exhale, setting my drink down. "It's just Joshuan Carvalho."

Ginny blinks. Then laughs.

Lena smirks. "That's a bold use of the word just."

I roll my eyes. "It's not a big deal. Our families have been close forever. He and Jamie are basically brothers. We grew up together. It's nothing."

Ginny leans forward. "Are we talking about the same Joshuan Carvalho? The one who's obnoxiously hot, dangerously cocky and one of the best boxing fighters in New York City? That Joshuan?"

I groan.

Lena laughs. "Oh, babe. You're in trouble."

"I'm not in trouble," I argue. "I have a boyfriend."

Lena and Ginny exchange a look.

And I hate it.

"Right," Lena says slowly. "Preston."

Ginny swirls her drink. "How's that going?"

I hesitate.

And that's all they need to hear.

Lena grins, victorious. "You paused."

"I didn't pause."

"You definitely paused," Ginny says.

I exhale, sinking into my seat.

"Preston is... fine," I say carefully.

Ginny raises an eyebrow. "Fine?"

"Yes."

Lena leans forward. "Aurora. If a guy like Preston is only fine, that means he's boring."

I groan again. "Can we please change the subject?"

Ginny smirks. "Fine. Let's talk about your neighbor instead."

I should've seen that coming.

Lena leans in. "So. What's the issue?"

"There's no issue," I say quickly.

Ginny raises an eyebrow. "So, he's not still ridiculously hot?"

I press my lips together.

Lena smirks. "And he's not still obsessed with getting under your skin?"

I take a slow sip of my drink.

Ginny grins. "And you definitely haven't thought about him in ways you shouldn't?"

I nearly choke.

Lena laughs. "You're gonna get what's coming for you girl."

I drop my head onto the table.

This was a mistake.

"You know what?" Ginny says suddenly. "Let me see him."

I lift my head. "What?"

"Joshuan," she repeats. "If he's so not a problem, show me a picture."

Lena gasps dramatically. "Ooooh, yes. Show her. I want to see her reaction."

I hesitate.

Because this is stupid.

But also...

I know exactly what's going to happen when Ginny sees him.

I sigh, grabbing my phone. "Fine."

It takes me two seconds to find a picture on his instagram, one from a random event our families attended a year ago. Joshuan, dressed in an obscenely expensive suit, smirking at the camera like he knows he looks good.

I slide my phone across the table.

Ginny takes one look at the screen—

And nearly spits out her drink.

"Okay," she coughs. "What the hell?"

Lena cackles. "I knew it."

Ginny gapes at me. "Aurora. How have you been around this man your whole life and not spontaneously combusted?"

Lena smirks. "She almost did when she saw him shirtless."

Ginny gasps, grabbing my arm. "SHIRTLESS?"

I groan. "I hate both of you."

Ginny stares at the picture again. "Does he have a brother?"

I blink.

Then laugh.

Lena perks up. "Wait. Does he?"

I nod, smirking. "Yeah. Diego. He's younger."

Ginny slams her drink down. "I need details immediately."

Lena laughs. "Oh my God, Ginny, focus."

"I am focused," Ginny argues. "Focused on finding out if Diego is single."

I roll my eyes. "You're unbelievable."

Ginny grins. "You know you love me."

Lena raises her glass. "To hot, emotionally unavailable men we should definitely avoid."

Ginny and I clink our drinks against hers.

And for the first time all week, I feel like I can breathe.

Even if they're completely wrong about Joshuan.

(They're not. But I'll never admit it.)

Team Joshuan or Team Preston?
🤭
- M❤︎︎