Page 61 of House of Desire

And never get to tell her I understand.

But the most important part would be apologizing.

My car pulls up to the House of Deceit mansion that was my home for twelve weeks so many years ago and in this moment, I realize how far I’ve come from the man who had a casual flirtation with someone that has become like a sister to me.

Tires crunch against the gravel as another car pulls up and I know that it’s Charlie’s. I’m glad the interviewer tonight wanted to film the segment instead of having a live meeting. It made it so I could be here for my best friend’s movie premiere based on her book of our time in this house.

Plus, Alec will be proposing tonight.

A twist of jealousy in my belly sets my face in a frown. Unlike with my proposal, I know exactly what the answer will be tonight.

She gets out of the car, and stares up at the house for a moment while I walk up behind her.

“Are you ready?” I ask.

“How was filming? I didn’t think you’d be here!” she exclaims, her arms wrapping around me, mine doing the same automatically. As much as I don’t want to be at a party for hours, I have missed her.

“Filming was fine. I got in last night. We taped the last talk show spot instead of doing it live. Something came up for the interviewer.”

She looks at me for a moment and must see the heartbreak written there. I haven’t told her anything about the show and what happened, but it doesn’t matter. She’s always been able to read me so well.

“I’m here to talk. You’ve barely answered my texts since you stopped filming. Alec was willing to kidnap you to get you here tonight for me,” she says.

“I don’t want to talk about it. Plus, tonight is about you. Are you ready? Alec is waiting.”

“Yeah, just taking a second to appreciate the view.”

I give her a moment, but when I feel rain starting to fall on me, I take her garment bag and lead her into the house.

On the table in the entryway is a card and she squeals as she reads it. Taking my cue, I bend down and kiss her cheek.

“I’m going to go put this in the kitchen. See you in a bit.”

Charlie peels off toward the interview room where Alec is waiting for her. When I let him know I’d be able to make it, he texted me all the details, making sure I’d lead her there once we were in the mansion. I walk through the various rooms and head back to the bathroom so I can get dressed in my tux.

Philip arranged everything for me so I wouldn’t have to worry about what I’d wear. I make a mental note to thank him again as I unzip the garment bag and see everything is perfectly pressed.

Once I’m dressed, I walk through the house, reliving the memories. Nostalgia tightens my throat as I think about the time when the girls all put on a talent show, threatening our manhoods if we weren’t there. Chuckling, I make my way to the living room, sure Alec is almost done proposing, and stare outside the glass doors.

Her sniffles of, hopefully, happy tears have me turning around.

“So, did you say yes?”

Her jaw drops and she swats my shoulder. “You knew?”

The fact she is surprised by this makes me throw my head back and laugh for the first time since Anastasia rejected me.

“I went with him to pick out the ring. We flew Courtney out to help, too,” I tell her.

“I can’t believe you lied to me, your fake girlfriend! And I will be having words with Court.”

Knowing we don’t have a lot of time, I place my hand on her back and begin leading her back to the dressing room.

“Don’t be too mad at her. It was for a good reason.”

I stand outside the room, keeping anyone from walking in on her, as I hear people setting up and a few early arrivals. The door flings open and all I can do is stare.

“Tell me I look beautiful,” she says, with a megawatt smile.

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