Page 68 of Always Knew It Was You

However, I happen to have a contingency plan for that too. Still, I would rather not have to use it.

I tap my finger on my brandy glass as the pilot announces our initial descent. The skyrises that litter the ground soon grow rapidly in size. I remember my conversation with Carly about those and the housing plan my brother and I had for NYC. I intended to take Carly to New York next, showing her Broadway and a bunch of other interesting places. I was looking forward to seeing what expression she would make then. I wanted to see her marvel and delight again. There’s something addictive about watching her eyes glow in wonder.

I’ve never really been able to see the beauty in the luxury I have so far, but I could see it there in her eyes. And through her, I could feel that childish innocent awe again, could soak it all in.

Oh well.I assume a nonchalant shrug to no one. I guess that won’t happen anymore. Since she blocked me and everything.

The wheels touch the ground and the plane experiences a slight jump. We’re in New York.

Okay. Here goes nothing.

I hear voices when I enter my grandfather’s mansion, and they’re coming from the balcony across the expansive living room. As I walk toward it, I nod at Elvira who is fluffing one of the pillows on the vintage chairs. She sends me a fond smile in return.

As I get closer to the sliding French doors of the balcony, I realize that my grandfather is talking to a young woman I’ve never seen before.

I open the door and they both turn to me. The woman has blonde hair that is arranged at the top of her head in the most complicated pattern I’ve ever seen. She also has a pleasant enough face, and a laid-back casual style, wearing a button-down cardigan, vintage jeans, and Chanel espadrilles. She sends me a friendly smile when I walk in and I return it automatically.

“Hey, Gramps,” I say turning to my grandfather who looks to be in a good mood. “Sorry to interrupt you two, but I thought we had a meeting scheduled today.”

“Yes,” he responds, “and you’re late.”

“My bad. But to be fair, you should be used to it by now. Do you want me to return after you’re done with Ms...”

“Wentworth,” she responds in a lightly accented voice. “We met at the Governor’s charity ball if you remember.”

“Oh yeah, that’s right.” I don’t remember but it would be rude to say so. “How have you been?”

“Good.”

“Great. I’ll just leave you two to it then–”

“No, Micah,” my grandfather says. “The meeting is not with me and you. It’s with you and Ms. Wentworth.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Oh. Okay. Why?”

My grandfather sighs as though I’m being willfully obtuse and Ms. Wentworth’s smile widens.

“Actually,” she says, picking up her bag. Also Chanel. “I do need to use the little lady’s room. If you could direct me…”

“Sure.” I step out of her way as she rises. “Just down the hall and to your left.”

“Thank you.” She shoots me a look from underneath her eyelashes as she walks past me, leaving the scent of lilies in her wake. I give her a polite smile in return and once she’s gone, I turn to my grandfather.

“Okay. You want to tell me why she’s here?”

My grandfather stares at me unblinkingly for a few seconds before reaching for his glass of orange juice. “Ms. Cara Wentworth comes from extremely fine stock.”

Fine stock?I almost ask.Like she’s a cow?

But his words confirm my suspicions.

He brought Cara Wentworth here to audition for the fiancé role. The old man is so predictable sometimes.

And it’s strange how much “Cara” sounds like “Carly.” I wonder if that played a part in his decision.

I know my grandfather is ridiculous enough to think that the similarity will work in her favor. I can see him sitting in his study, with a cup of coffee in hand thinking, Well, since Micah appears to like women with names starting in C-A-R, how about that Ms. Cara Wentworth?

I terminate the amusing thought and focus on the issue at hand. What to do next.

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