Page 52 of The Wrong Fiancée

"The Enos and the Kane."

Melody gasped. "Both of them? That's over a half million dollars in sales on the first night? Are you kidding me? What did you do? He's picky as hell, asks a million questions, nags, and never buys anything."

"I didn't do anything," I protested. "I met Shira Mandel," I whispered loudly. "She invited me to her house."

Melody shook her head, amused. “Of course, she did. Dante Giordano knows his shit. When he told me he wanted me to mentor someone from housekeeping, I thought he'd lost his mind. Obviously, he could see that you, Elika, are made for this."

Chapter Nineteen

DEAN

"You look happy." I found her sitting on a bench outside the art gallery, where some of the guests were enjoying their drinks and food as the reception was closing down.

"It’s been a great day." She glowed with excitement. Dante told me she’d sold two paintings to Jeff Wexler—a hard nut to crack—but she’d charmed him. No surprise there. Jeff was smarter than me; he’d seen her value immediately. It had taken me four years and a twist of fate—a chance the universe threw my way—by bringing us together in Kauai.

Her eyes locked on mine, and for a moment, everything, the gallery, the collectors, the buzz of conversation—everything disappeared. All I could see was Elika with bright eyes full of life and hope—like the woman who I'd let slip through my fingers.I missed this woman so very much, I thought on a pang.

I wanted her to be happy like this all the time. I realized that this was why I could not leave her alone, why I couldn’t turn my back on her. I longed to see the excited and hopeful Elika again, because deep down, I feared I’d taken that from her through my stupidity and carelessness. The truth, then and now, hadn’t changed—but I had. I had more courage, more wisdom. I wanted to be with her. I’d been a fool to think otherwise before.

"I'm so glad to see you enjoy this." I sat next to her on the bench.

She looked around as if making sure no one could see us.

"I'm going away for a while," I told her.

"Okay."

"I broke off my engagement with Felicity today."

She went still. "Oh. So…you're leaving the islands."

She wasn't looking at me, but I could feel what she was thinking—what if we never saw each other again? I couldn't stand that idea, and it pleased me to know that she couldn’t either.

"I'll be back in two weeks."

She turned to see me. "Why?"

I smiled. "Because of you."

Her reaction wasn't what I expected. She blinked, and for a second, I thought I saw relief in her eyes. But then her face changed. Shock. She just stared at me like the words hadn't landed yet.

"I know this might be a lot to take in," I added, my hand instinctively reaching out to touch her arm to reassure her. But she flinched, pulling back before I could. The warmth of the moment vanished. "But I needed to tell you. I needed you to know that…that I want a chance—with you."

Her response wasn't what I'd prepared for. "You have some nerve." Her voice was shaky. "You just ended your engagement, and now you're—what? Jumping into something else? With me?"

I didn't like the disbelief in her tone. I hadn'tjumpedinto anything. This wasn't a whim. It had been brewing inside me for weeks, months, maybe even years.

"No, it's not like that. You and I...there's something between us…,” I hesitated, feeling the gravity of the moment, "and I’m hoping we can explore what it could be."

She let out a laugh, but it wasn't the kind I'd been hoping for. It was bitter, sharp, and it stung. "Oh, Dean, you're so transparent. Why now, after all this time? You didn’t think I was good enough for you before—you made that pretty clear."

The accusation hit on target. I flinched, scrambling to find theright words, my mind rushing to explain things the way I saw them. "I was an idiot," I started, my voice softening, "It's not about your education or your job, I—" The words caught in my throat. I knew I wasn't saying it right. I wasn't giving her the explanation she needed.

But it was true, wasn't it? I had been a fool. I wasn't one anymore. I had grown up. But I could see she wasn't buying it. She was staring at me like she didn't know who I was anymore. And maybe, in a way, she was right.

She folded her arms across her chest, her eyes cold. "So let me get this straight." I could feel her hurt just below the surface. "When I was cleaning rooms when I was just the hotel maid, I wasn't good enough for you. But now that Dante's given me a shot here, suddenly I'm someone you can take seriously? Now you're interested?"

Her words struck me raw.That wasn't what I meant. At all."That's not it, Elika. It's not about?—"

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