A choice in who got close. There was no option with this one, he was just there, staring blanking.
Clearing my throat, I asked, “So, have you worked for Hegan's family for a long time?”
Nodding his head, Stefan adjusted his jacket. “A couple years, Miss.”
“Please, call me Noella.” Spotting a bright blue binding, I gripped the edge and pulled it out.
“Noella what?” His eyes drifted from me to the book. “Good choice, The Mayor of Casterbridge.”
“Rawlinson. Noella Rawlinson.” Thumbing through the pages, I pushed it back into its place between the others. “Do you like books, Stefan?”
“Very much, Miss...” Tripping over his tongue, he said, “Noella.” Bringing his palms up to smooth his hair, he asked, “How long have you been with Hegan?”
Shooting him a glance, my lips pursed tight. “That question has nothing to do with books. I ask you about books and you ask me about him?”
I felt like I was making him nervous. Stefan's gaze began to dart around the room, mouth making noises to speak but unable to muster up the sound. “Well, it's... it's just...” A soft cough gurgled in his throat. “He hasn't mentioned you, and I'm around him a lot. I just thought he would have said something.”
“Well, you're his butler, does he normally tell you everything?” I asked, slitting my lids.
I didn't mind the question so much, except it came out of nowhere. A question about if he liked books wasn't one that should be followed with that.
What a strange man. I thought as my eyes furrowed against the bindings.
“I'm sorry, I don't mean to pry.” He stared at the floor, fingers wildly curling around each other.
Shaking my head, I grabbed the first book my hand touched. “We've known each other for a little while.” Maybe I was just reading too much into that. It could just be innocent wonder.
Stefan jerked his head up. I had given him an answer, small insight to his curiosities. What harm was there answering a question? Hegan had said he couldn't be trusted, but I wasn't going to say the things I knew Hegan was afraid of.
I'm not stupid. And even if I was going to run off and tell someone, it wouldn't be to the family butler.
“Mr. Alexander has some reserve about you, Noella. Please don't be offended by my questions.”
“Did he send you here to grill me? What's he afraid of? His son leaving him?” Chuckling, I turned to face him, hand falling to my hip.
“No, not that. Honestly, the sooner Hegan grows up, the better.” Stefan huffed under his breath.
“So you mean the immature man, who tackled me outside earlier, hasn't grown up yet?” My jaw cocked out to the side, a large grin rested on my face.
“Ah, so you've seen it too?” I watched his shoulders relax, slumping forward.
He was finally getting comfortable, settled, Stefan was letting his guard down. He didn't need to be so wound up around me. I never had this type of life growing up, and even though he didn't know it, I couldn't stand the sight of someone just being there to wait on me.
“Well he certainly doesn't scream adult, you know? Especially being...” Realizing I didn't know how old Hegan actually was, my words trailed off.
“Twenty-five, he's twenty-five.” Stepping closer, he began to rummage through the array of books. “And you're?”
“Twenty- three.” Pushing a strand of hair behind my ear, I felt embarrassed. I was supposed to be 'dating' this guy and I didn't really know anything about him.
How am I going to play pretend if I don't even know the basics? His age, where he went to school, what his friggin family did for a living. Shit, I only found that out earlier in the day.
I was going to have to sit down and start asking him some questions. In order for me to play the role Hegan wanted, he was going to have to give me something to work with.
And sooner than later, I was going to have to really decide what I wanted to do.
Have his baby, or get the fuck out of here.
“And what does your family do? Rawlinson doesn't ring a bell. I don't believe I've heard that name before.”
Fuck, fuck, fuck. My last name, it's not one of the fancy socialites names that get thrown around. What the hell do I do?
I needed to think quick, come up something to move him away from my family. “Do you know every family in the state?”
“Well, no. But—”
“But, nothing,” I said, cutting him off. I didn't have to answer his questions. Reminding myself, I don't have to answer anything or do anything I don't want to. Stefan was the butler, even if Brandon had sent him to question me, I didn't need to give him any details I didn't want to.
Pushing his hand over his neck, he said, “I'm just trying to make sure that you're here for the right reasons. The Alexander family has a lot to give and a lot to lose.”