Chapter 103: Racing Heart, Breathless Moments

"Claire, stop right there!" Lucas Zeller's voice thundered through the hall, halting Claire Grace in her tracks. 

She froze, her back still to him, tension coursing through her body. 

"Turn around," he ordered, his tone sharp but leaving no room for negotiation. 

Claire sniffled quietly, gathering her composure. "Dinner is ready. I… I'll just go to the kitchen and bring the dishes out," she stammered. Anything to avoid turning around. If she faced him now, the tears threatening to spill might just betray her. 

"Seriously? Claire, I told you—don't believe everything your eyes see. You're misunderstanding the situation, okay? Just listen to me!" Lucas' voice softened, tinged with desperation. He knew exactly what she thought she saw between him and Blaire. 

"I… I didn't see anything," Claire muttered, half to herself. Maybe it was better to convince herself she had imagined it all. 

Lucas groaned in frustration. "Oh, come on! If you're going to pretend, at least do a better job of it! Or just tell me I'm blind while you're at it!" He was trying to lighten the mood, but her silence only reminded him of her pained expression when she'd turned to leave. 

"What do you want from me?" she finally asked, her voice quivering. She hadn't wanted to confront him—or herself—about what she thought she'd seen. And if it was truly nothing, why hadn't Blaire, his precious "little sister," spoken up to clear the air? 

"I want you to smile," Lucas said as he approached her, his previous irritation melting into a gentler tone. "If you can smile, I'll pretend none of this ever happened." 

"Smile?" Claire blinked at him, confused. How was she supposed to smile when her heart was breaking? 

"Claire," a soft voice interrupted. Blaire Zeller appeared beside them, her delicate features radiating guilt. "I'm sorry, Claire. Did I make you upset just now?" 

Claire turned to Blaire, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied the younger woman. The abrupt change in Blaire's demeanor—so apologetic, so earnest—felt strange. 

"You misunderstood, Claire," Blaire continued, her voice trembling as tears shimmered in her eyes. "I was just feeling sad about something and needed someone to lean on. Lucas is my brother, my safe place. That's all." 

Claire said nothing, unsure what to believe. Blaire's sincerity seemed genuine, yet something about her didn't sit right. 

"You don't trust me?" Blaire glanced at Lucas before sighing dramatically. "Okay, maybe once upon a time, I did admire my brother a little too much. He's always been amazing, better than any of the guys who ever surrounded me. But I've come to understand that my feelings were nothing more than sibling affection. That's all it ever was. And now that he's married to someone as lovely as you, I'd never dream of coming between you two. You have my word." 

Claire's eyes widened, and a wave of shame washed over her. Had she really been so petty? So insecure? 

"I'll leave you two to it," Blaire added with a playful grin. "Seems like Lucas still has some work to do to cheer up his lovely wife." She shot Claire a cheeky look before heading toward the kitchen. Yet as she turned, her eyes glinted with something cold, something unspoken. 

"Claire, you're unbelievable, you know that?" Lucas teased as he closed the distance between them. "You wouldn't even listen to me, and Blaire had to come to the rescue. Now, admit it—you feel guilty, don't you?" 

His face was inches from hers, his warm breath grazing her flushed cheeks. He leaned closer, his nose brushing against her skin, causing a shiver to race down her spine. 

"I…" Claire's words faltered as his familiar scent enveloped her. It was intoxicating, throwing her thoughts into disarray. 

"Sorry," she murmured, barely audible. 

"That's it?" Lucas raised an eyebrow, clearly unsatisfied. "You think 'sorry' is enough after the heart attack you almost gave me? I was worried you'd retreat into your shell like the stubborn little snail you are." 

"Then… I'll smile?" Claire offered weakly. She forced her lips into an awkward grin, her cheeks glowing pink as her wide eyes sparkled with hesitation. 

Lucas chuckled lowly, his gaze darkening. "Not enough." 

Claire froze, her breath hitching. Was he… was he about to— 

"Lucas, no! Blaire's still here, and we haven't even had dinner yet! Plus, you said she couldn't know about… that. So let's just wait until later, okay?" Her face burned as the words spilled out, each one more mortifying than the last. 

"Wait until later for what?" Lucas asked, his lips twitching as he fought back laughter. "You caused this mess, Claire. Now you have to help me deal with it. My 'fire' isn't going to put itself out." 

"Fire?" Claire blinked, confused. Her gaze instinctively dropped to his waist, and she immediately regretted it, her face growing even hotter. 

Lucas couldn't hold it in anymore. His laughter erupted, rich and full, his shoulders shaking as he leaned back. 

"You're too much, Claire," he said between breaths. "You really are the funniest, most adorable woman I've ever met." 

Claire stared at him, her heart skipping a beat. 

"Wait… you're not joking, are you? You really like me?" 

"Of course I do," Lucas replied easily, his smile softening. 

Claire's chest tightened with a burst of joy so intense, she thought her heart might explode.