Chapter 29

▫️Christian’s POV...

The morning was... well, let's just say, awkwardly eventful. I tried to shake off the memory of Stella walking out of the shower, her hair damp and her cheeks flushed. My teasing comment had backfired spectacularly when she threw a towel at me, storming off in frustration. I should’ve stopped myself, but did I? Of course not. I was me—always dancing on the edge of her nerves.

Breakfast was quieter. Ava and MJ announced their vacation plans to Edinburgh. Fifteen days away from the chaos of this house. Stella hugged Ava tightly as if saying goodbye to her long-lost sibling. Nick, on the other hand, waved dramatically and yelled, “Go have a blow job, my dear friend!” as they boarded the private jet.

Mature, isn’t he?

Once they left, things got busy. I had weapons to inspect with Liam and Nick. Stella stayed behind—probably for the best. After this morning's embarrassment, she deserved some time alone.

The weapons check was straightforward. Efficient, even. We finalized the deal quickly, and soon enough, we were in the car heading back. I sat silently while Nick and Liam chattered about nonsense across from me.

But my mind wasn’t at ease.

There was something I needed to ask them. Something I’d been avoiding. But what if they mocked me? They weren’t exactly the most serious people I knew. I took a deep breath, clearing my throat.

“Actually,” I started, catching their attention. Nick raised a brow while Liam stopped mid-sentence. Both of them looked at me, waiting.

God, why are they looking at me like that? Say it, Christian. Just say it!

“What’s up, chris?” Nick said, smirking.

Liam grinned. “Or did Stella say something that got stuck in your head again?”

“No. I... I want to discuss something. It’s regarding...” I hesitated. “Uh... Ragnar.”

Nick blinked. “Ragnar? What about him?”

Nice save, Christian. Ragnar it is.

“Don’t ask too many questions,” I said quickly. “Just give me an answer.”

Liam smirked. “Sounds serious. What’s up with Ragnar?”

“Well...” I started. “So, Ragnar told me there’s this girl in his life. He met her a few weeks ago. She’s beautiful, trustworthy, and... he enjoys spending time with her.”

Nick immediately snorted. “Wait, Ragnar’s asking for tips on how to kill her, when he is done with her?”

“No!” I snapped. “Just listen. Ragnar doesn’t want to kill her. He... he says she makes him smile.”

The laughter started all over again.

“Ragnar? Smiling?” Nick choked out. “You mean like an actual smile? With teeth and everything?”

“Yes,” I said, glaring at him.

Liam leaned back, shaking his head in disbelief. “This is unreal. What else? Did he start humming love songs too?”

I ignored the jab and continued. “He also tolerates things about her he wouldn’t tolerate from anyone else.”

Nick raised an eyebrow. “Like what? Does she chew with her mouth open?”

“No,” I said, exasperated. “She talks a lot. She’s sarcastic. She’s... unpredictable.”

Nick and Liam exchanged a look, then burst out laughing again.

“Chris,” Liam said, still grinning. “You do realize you’re just describing Stella, right?”

I froze. “What? No! This isn’t about Stella. It’s about Ragnar's girl.”

“Sure,” Nick said, his grin turning smug. “And Ragnar just happens to have the exact same taste in women as you?”

“Stella isn't my taste. Now keep quiet and tell me!” I barked. “What does it mean when someone smiles at the thought of another person?”

Nick leaned back, folding his arms. “It’s not temporary attraction, Chris. That’s for sure.”

I frowned. “Temporary attraction? Of course, it's not! I think....Ragnar thinks it’s nothing. It’s... nothing.”

Both of them shook their heads in unison. “It’s love,” Liam declared with a knowing smirk.

“What?!” I exclaimed. “No, it’s not! That’s ridiculous. Love doesn’t even exist in my world.  It’s... it’s insane.”

Nick rolled his eyes. “Let me guess again. Ragnar can’t even say her name without smiling, can he?”

Damn it. I do smile when I think of Stella. But that’s irrelevant. Coincidence, maybe.

I scoffed. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Chris,” Liam said, grinning. “It’s love. Ragnar is in love. End of story.”

I crossed my arms defensively. “No way. Ragnar doesn’t do love. It’s probably... I don’t know, admiration? Hormones?”

“Sure,” Nick said, patting my shoulder. “Whatever you need to tell yourself, buddy.”

“And who’s the girl, Christian?” Liam asked, his grin widening.

I stiffened. “Ragnar didn’t tell me. We should respect his privacy.”

Nick burst out laughing, leaning back in his seat. “It’s Stella, isn’t it? Oh my God, it’s Stella!”

I choked. “What the hell—how do you—why would you even think that?”

Liam joined in the laughter. “It all makes sense now! The smiles, the tolerance, the sudden interest in Ragnar’s feelings. All day chattering about stella.”

Great. This is why I didn’t want to ask these idiots.

“Shut up,” I muttered, sinking lower into my seat.

I could feel my face heating up as Nick and Liam kept laughing at me. Was it that obvious? Damn it, Chris, you’re losing your edge.

I said, shaking my head firmly. “It’s not Stella. I swear it’s not her. This whole story is about Ragnar, not me.”

Liam smirked, leaning back in his seat. “Right, Ragnar. Sure. So, you’re telling us it’s not Stella?”

“Yes,” I snapped. “I don’t love Stella. There’s no way I could ever—” My voice cracked slightly, but I pushed through. “No way I could ever love her.”

Nick raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. And you just happen to know every little detail about her? Like what she did whole day, how she reacted, or what her favorite things to do?”

Liam grinned. “And don’t forget how you can’t stand it when she’s upset or hurt. You’d kill for her in a heartbeat, wouldn’t you?”

I opened my mouth to argue but stopped. Okay, maybe they had a point. But that doesn’t mean it’s love.

Liam leaned forward, his grin widening. “Chris, just admit it. You care about Stella, you enjoy her company, and you find her... what’s your words are? Lovable? Pretty? Cute?”

I scoffed. “She’s not lovable. She’s a bitch, a pervert, foul-mouthed, a crackhead, and a dumbass. She drives me insane!”

Nick chuckled, crossing his arms. “Denial, my man, denial. It’s written all over your face.”

“I’m not in denial!” I shot back. “I just don’t like her.”

Liam laughed. “Chris, you’re so deep in denial, you might as well buy a house there. Look, it’s simple: if you really don’t like her, why does she take up so much space in your head? Why do you always talk about her, and why do you care so much about what she thinks of you?”

Why did I care? No, it wasn’t love. It couldn’t be.

Nick interrupted my thoughts. “Look, man. If you like her, just tell her. If you’re unsure, then figure it out. But don’t sit on this forever. You need to find the answer before it’s too late.”

I leaned back in my seat, sighing. “Alright, fine. What’s the way to figure out the truth?”

Liam and Nick exchanged mischievous looks before bursting into laughter again.

Liam shook his head, still chuckling. “See, Chris? We’ve been telling you it’s Stella all along. We knew something was going on.”

I rolled my eyes. “Okay, fine. Yes, it’s Stella. That troublemaker is stuck in my head. But now help me out! I need to clear this mess.”

Nick smirked. “Oh, we’ll help you, alright. But honestly? We already know the truth. You just need to admit it to yourself.”

I nodded slowly, feeling a strange warmth in my chest. I don’t know why, but I felt happy—like, genuinely happy.

Liam noticed my small smile and grinned. “See that? You’re already smiling just thinking about her. Face it, Chris. You’re done for my brotha. No more tagged as single.”

I glared at him. “Shut up.”

But deep down, I couldn’t deny it. Stella had a way of making me feel things I didn’t understand. I wasn’t ready to call it love—definitely not love—but something was happening. Something I couldn’t ignore anymore.