chapter426

Blake caught on right away. He nodded and said, "Don't worry. I won't breathe a word about this to anyone."

He shot a look at Jonas, who immediately panicked and threw up his hand. "I swear, I won't tell anyone except the boss. If I do, may I be single for the rest of my life!"

Lydia couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. What was so bad about being single, anyway? Wasn't it kind of nice?

Blake turned to Jonas, frowning. "Didn't you always say you were never getting married?"

Jonas rushed to explain. "Not getting married and being single forever aren't the same thing."

Lydia nodded. "If you're single, you don't date at all. If you're against marriage, you can still date, just never get married."

The meaning was clear enough. Jonas was definitely a player.

Jonas looked embarrassed. Was she really calling him out like that?

Connor and Blake stayed behind to make sure everything was wrapped up, then the group took a helicopter straight to their hotel.

Lydia's bags were already at the hotel she was staying in, and Connor quickly said he'd go with her.

Blake's face clouded over. He said he'd be checking into the same hotel, too.

Connor could only stare. Was Blake worried he'd try something with Lydia? Did he really think Connor was that kind of guy?

Blake asked for Lydia's room number and had Jonas arrange for two rooms right next to hers. One for him, one for Connor.

With no other option, Connor walked Lydia to her room.

"Mr. Jefferson, can I come in for a minute?" Blake asked.

Connor didn't dare refuse. "Of course. Come in."

The two tall, good-looking men walked into the room together. A housekeeper passing by couldn't help but do a double take, thinking, what a handsome pair. Too bad they probably weren't into girls.

Connor offered Blake a seat and handed him a bottle of water.

"Is something up?" Connor asked.

Blake studied him, eyes unreadable. They were born the same year, but Blake was two months older. Both had always been a bit cold and

distant. They grew up together ta butik

but

never got close.

Before Lydia came back, Connor had barely even noticed Blake. Now things felt completely different.

"So, what's the deal with you and Lucinda?"

Everyone in the capital knew about Connor and Lucinda's engagement. But tonight,

it was obvious Connor was with Lydia. Did their families know?

"You already know there's nothing between me and Lucinda. There never has been. I like Lydia, not her."

Blake hadn't been home and didn't know the Jeffersons had welcomed Lydia and canceled the engagement with Lucinda as soon as Lydia returned.

"Do your families know you're with Lydia?"

Blake was thinking, if Connor was lying to his family about dating his sister, he'd have no problem beating him up, military background or not.

"I promise. Both families approved. I never had feelings for Lucinda. From now on, there's nothing between us at all.

Blake nodded. Just don't let me down. If you ever hurt Lydia, I'll never let you two be together."

"Deal."

Blake left Connor's room and went to knock on Lydia's door.

He hadn't really had a chance to talk to her since recognizing her at the competition. After everything that happened today, he couldn't help but worry it might happen again.

Hi, Lydia greeted him.

"Hey, can I come in for a bit?"

Lydia smiled. "Of course."

She wanted to thank him, anyway. No matter what, he had sent Jonas to protect her

right away.

"Thank you for today, Blake," she said.

Blake looked a little embarrassed.

"Why thank me? I didn't even help You handled everything yourself. Jonas was supposed to protect you, and you ended up protecting him instead."