Page 67 of Beauty Of Her

“Hi, Amelia.” Brett smiled, lifting his chin off my head. My hands dropped from his body, wondering if that was the last time they’d ever feel him.

Amelia crossed her arms and marched over until she stood next to me. “Don’t say hi to me. Or say hi to anyone. What do you mean it’s over?”

Brett frowned at Amelia and shifted his eyes to me. “How did you know it was Libby?”

I bit my lip, unsure of how to answer Brett's question. The truth was, I had no concrete evidence that it was her. It was just a hunch, a gut feeling that had been gnawing at me since meeting his parents. But as I looked into Brett's eyes, I saw a flicker of guilt, a shadow that confirmed my suspicions.

"I... I could just tell," I stammered, twisting my fingers. “I’m not mad, though. I’m disappointed.”

“Can we talk in private, please?” Brett’s eyes begged me to agree and for Amelia to take a hint.

“Amelia, you don’t have to stay,” I said.

“Will you be okay?” She stepped closer, a flash of concern spilling across her face.

“I’ll be fine.” A weak smile barely convinced Amelia, but it was enough for her to nod and gather her things. I walked her to the door as Brett stood silently still, half in, half out of my house. When Amelia stepped out into the cool night air, I closed the front door behind her, my heart pounding. Brett and I were left standing in the entryway, the weight of our unspoken conversation hanging heavy in the air.

“Libby showed up today at work. But I swear, Julia. Nothing happened. We had lunch. I gave her closure, told her I was happy, and had found someone who made me happy. I told her I hope she finds herself a Julia…except a guy version.” Brett stepped closer and reached for my hands, his fingers toying with mine. Brett swallowed and moved his hands until they gripped my shoulders, leaving a simmering warmth, but I started to shake. “I don’t want Libby. I don’t want anyone else. I only want you.”

Our foreheads pressed together, but my insides continued to tremble. His hand cupped my face, and I finally leaned into his touch. “But you didn’t talk to me at all today. Why?”

He peered at my red-rimmed eyes. “You’ve been crying?” The question pained Brett to ask, his brow scrunched.

"No," I lied, shaking my head. My heart skipped a beat as he pulled me against his chest, our bodies fusing together.

“You’ve never seen me get overwhelmed.” He cradled his chin on the crown of my head. “When this happens to me, I get quiet. But I won’t do that to you again. I promise.”

Brett’s arms wrapped around my body, calming the emotional storm building inside me for weeks. I closed my eyes, allowing relief to wash over me, and for the first time in years, I wasn't alone.

A few minutes later, we tiptoed to my bedroom, careful not to wake the girls. We peeled off our clothes, and while Brett readied a steaming hot shower for us, I stared at my tired reflection in the mirror hanging behind my bedroom door. The chaos and fear that had consumed me earlier was replaced by a sense of serenity, of being anchored in Brett's presence. As the steam from the shower filled the room, I slipped out of my robe and stepped into the thick air. Brett joined me soon after, his tall, muscular frame fitting snugly against mine. The water cascaded down our bodies, washing away the day’s stress. We stood beneath the gentle spray, our bodies entwined as if trying to merge into one. Brett's strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer as the water enveloped our intertwined bodies. Any doubts or reservations melted away in that moment, replaced by a raw desire that surged through my veins.

But being in here with Brett wasn’t about sex or what our bodies craved. It was about being close and shutting out the world that might have cast doubts on us or my mind that may have driven those doubts. As I gazed into Brett’s unwavering stare, I knew he was mine, and I was his world. It was the safest I had felt in a long, long time.

“This is so cool, house hunting,” Sara gushed from the back seat of Brett’s brand-new Audi SUV.

“So, wait. I’m confused,” I began.

“What else is new?” Brett said, rolling his eyes in mock style from the rearview mirror, sharing an inside joke with the girls, triggering high-pitched giggles.

“Very funny.” I glared. “What happened to your other car? What’s going on with all these changes? First, you get rid of your BMW for this boat. And now you’re looking for a house? Didn’t you just sign a new lease for your apartment?”

“Nothing is ever set in stone. And when I need something, I do what I need to do.” Brett peered at the girls through the mirror. “You hear that, girls? Never feel like you’re settling. Ever.”

I caught Sara smiling, absorbing all the advice from Brett’s lips. And Zoe, my cautious and reserved pre-teen daughter, couldn't help but be drawn to Brett's magnetism. His infectious charisma undeniably affected those around him—including me. I fell deeper in love with him every day; we had been on the same page lately. Even with having a child, while my mind wasn’t there yet, I could get there without the pressure or direct question of whether it would happen. Of course, certain things like marriage and all that fun stuff needed to happen before, but Brett functioned like this was it. We were each other’s futures. The only thing I found odd was this whole house-hunting adventure. Was he going to rent? I was completely confused by the afternoon’s purpose, to be completely honest. What was even stranger was how he wanted to stay within the girls’ school district, which was convenient geographically if he wanted to come to our house or vice versa. But he was also on the expensive side of the town with mansions. While the girls and I lived in a nice, comfortable house, ours paled compared to these structures.

As we pulled up to a gated community, my confusion only grew. This was not the neighborhood I had expected us to be looking at. The houses were extravagant, with sprawling gardens and perfectly manicured lawns. It felt as if we were entering a different world altogether. I had no idea Brett had this budget, and I never asked, either.

"Brett, I don't understand," I said, my voice tinged with uncertainty. "Why are you looking at houses here? I didn’t even know you could rent in this area.”

He smiled at me reassuringly, his hand reaching over to squeeze mine. "Julia, trust me on this," he said softly.

“But why do you need such a big house to rent?” My eyes nearly popped when Brett pulled into a post-modern colonial house with black and white external finishes. The house was so crisp and fresh in appearance that it looked like a page out of an architectural masterpiece magazine. My heart rate increased, and blood rushed to my ears. “Brett, who is this for?”

Sara and Zoe exchanged wide-eyed glances in the back seat before whispering excitedly to each other. They were captivated by the opulence surrounding us, oblivious to the complexities beneath the surface. Fuck, this was not going to end well. My maternal instincts kicked into high gear and prepared me for battle.

Brett turned off the engine and faced me, his eyes swirling with anticipation and nervousness. "Julia, I know this might come as a surprise, but... I want us to live together. All four of us. And what better way than a fresh start.” Brett motioned to the extravagant home while I remained frozen and stunned. Brett twisted around to Zoe and Sara, ready to burst from the vehicle and run inside. “Come on, girls. Let’s check it out.” He grabbed the door handle.

“Brett…” I warned.

---