Page 30 of The Banker's Bride

He pulled his clothes out of the closet and walked into another room, needing a moment. Once he was dressed, he looked in the mirror and tied his ascot tie. Then he took the hairbrush resting on the counter and brushed his blond hair into place.

Before he finished, the anger had dissipated, realizing the error of his ways. How could he have been so stupid? Deep down, he knew that Megan and Charles were just being friendly. Actually, he was glad they got along. And Dallas knew that Charles would never do anything to hurt him. He let out a deep breath and looked in the mirror one last time. Then he walked out the door and down the stairs.

When he reached the first floor, Dallas walked through the spacious living room. The furniture had been moved and the wooden floor was polished, creating the perfect dancefloor. But Dallas paid no attention. He walked straight into the parlor and to the bar and poured himself a drink. Then he downed it quickly. Soon, the dark liquid did the trick and helped him to relax. Holding onto the bar, he thought of Megan. How could he have been so stupid? Charles wouldn’t do anything to hurt him and, deep down, he knew that Megan wouldn’t hurt him like that, either.

“Ready for this shindig?” Charles asked as he walked in.

Dallas nodded, but didn’t look at him.

“Care to talk about it?”

Dallas shook his head.

“Dallas, can we talk?”

When Dallas turned around, Charles was dressed in a top coat but wasn’t wearing his top hat. “Yes, of course.”

Charles slipped a hand into his pocket. “Dallas, just relax and be yourself.”

“What do you mean?” Dallas narrowed his eyes at his friend.

“No, hear me out.” Charles took a step closer, lowering his voice. “Dallas, it seems that you’re trying too hard. Just… be yourself.” He placed his hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes. “Enjoy yourself tonight.”

Dallas smiled. He was the only one on the planet who could talk to him like this. Dallas would have dismissed anyone else who tried. But he and Charles had been friends far too long, and Dallas owed him too much. Dallas thought of him as a brother, not just his business associate. At that moment, he realized how much he had missed his friend.

“Thanks, Charles.” Dallas poured him a drink and handed it to him. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I just need to relax and enjoymyself tonight.” But it’d been too long, and he almost forgot how.

“You know I’m right.” Charles took a sip of his drink.

“You need to visit more often.” Dallas smiled. “Maybe even move here. I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too.” Charles smirked. “And believe it or not, I’ve thought of it.”

Dallas’s eyes opened wide. “What? Of moving here?”

Charles nodded. “I love the town, and the people treat me like a ‘normal’ person. You just don’t know how lucky you are.”

“Maybe you’re right.”

“You know I am.” Charles eyebrows pulled together in concern. “After what I witnessed in Chicago, it’s made me realize how precious life is… and how much I’m missing in life.”

Dallas’s eyes widened. “Charles, you have everything a man could want: Money, friends, fine things, a wealthy family, prestige… everything.” Charles had all the things that Dallas had ever wanted, and to find out that he was unhappy with his life was absurd.

Charles smiled. “No, not everything. I don’t have a wife and love… someone to love and to care about… someone to love me for who I am.”

Dallas clasped his shoulder. “You’ll always have me. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had. You’re like a brother to me.”

Charles pulled him in for a manly hug. “And you’re like a brother to me, too.”

When Dallas pulled away, he said, “Charles, I want you to enjoy yourself, too. You’ve been through so much. Tonight, you just need to relax.”

“Thanks, Dallas.” Charles smiled. “I will.”

When Dallas pulled back, he remembered something. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to check on Megan. I’ll be right back.”

Dallas hurried up the stairs, taking two at a time. He knew he owed Megan an apology, too. How could he have been so stupid as to think that she was flirting with Charles? Neither she nor Charles would hurt him like that. He squared his shoulders and knocked on their bedroom door.

“Come in,” Megan’s voice resounded from the other side of the door. When he opened the door, Megan stood there, and his breath caught.

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