Page 57 of Brazen
Charlie directed me to the balcony. “The event is private, so I need you to relax, Hope, and look around. We’re surrounded by family, and I’m one of twelve brothers. A guy would be pretty stupid when he was that outnumbered.”
I wasn’t sure I could move. I swallowed then took his hand. “I’m not a Norouzi, though, and they’ll hate me soon enough.”
“No.”
I swung my full attention to Charlie.
He smiled at everyone as he said, “Because tonight’s party is our engagement party, which was why we flew out early.”
I rocked. This wasn’t good. Now I would be humiliated publicly. Heat rushed to my face. “Oh. Charlie, I should have let you talk upstairs about what you thought might happen.”
He rubbed the back of his head. “That wasn’t what I wanted to talk about.”
We walked toward his family, who’d gathered near a sign with our names on it. My friends cheered as I asked, “Then what?”
His father came over and hugged me. “Congratulations to you both. We’re so excited you’re joining our family, Hope.”
He tapped Charlie on the back as I said, “Thank you so much, sir.”
Kir hugged me. “And I’m happy we’re starting a business together.”
He also hugged Charlie, and I said, “Me too. Thank you, Kir.”
We continued to hug everyone on his family and my friends. Every warm smile meant I needed to face one more person with a lie. Kir and Jeff stayed close and looked at me as they discussed something on their phone. I tensed but focused on the next guest coming to me. As the line was close to being over, Patterson stood in front of me.
I had no idea how he'd come in. I lost my ability to move. “Oh God.”
Charlie crossed his arms and stood like he would protect me.
His other brothers looked like they would back him up. I couldn’t see, but Patterson’s voice was clear as he said, “Hello, everyone. I just thought before you celebrate, you might want to listen to this.” Then it was my voice in the air. “Charlie, you have yourself a six-month fiancée…”
Tears washed down my face. They'd all heard everything now. I had no idea why he would do this now. He’d clearly decided against the blackmail, unless he knew we weren’t paying already. Who knew what else of mine he'd bugged?
I heard Miley shout, “Brad, we’re so suing you.”
I made a beeline to a staircase toward the beach. Everyone now knew I was a liar.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Hope
* * *
The beach made running harder, but I’d tugged off my shoes when I wasn’t able to see the balcony or the building anymore. Breathing was impossible, but I continued forward.
It was over now. I made it to another hotel or condo high-rise that offered some shade. I stopped and closed my eyes. My entire body tingled. I wasn’t sure what I would do.
I took a few deep breaths and found a seat. The second I was inhaling more easily, my phone rang. My hands trembled. I couldn’t deal with Charlie and a goodbye, but then I saw the phone number—my old boss. I needed good news, and a job was a job, which meant I had a life later. “Layla, hi.”
Kids laughed on the beach, and a couple passed me.
Layla said, “We read the blog. The partners had made me offer you that job back, but now we know it was all a PR stunt on your end.”
I held my stomach and rocked. Patterson had clearly changed his mind, or the blog person had offered something to him. “What was a PR stunt?”
“Your engagement. Look, now that it’s out in the open, it’s best if we stay parted.”
I swallowed. “You always hated me.” I cringed at my own words. I hated being reactive. Today wasn’t a good day.
