Page 58 of Brazen
“It’s just business, Ms. Williams.”
So there was no return to normalcy. I was stuck on this beach.
After I hung up the phone, I saw an email from the magazine. I zeroed in on the last line. We have decided to withdraw our offer, Ms. Williams.
“I’m ruined.” I tucked my phone away.
I wasn’t even sure how much money it would cost to get home. I would have to sell my condo, probably at a loss, and start over somewhere cheaper.
Avril joined me at the bench, breathless. “There you are. You run fast.”
I met her gaze. “What’s going on?”
She texted. “Well, I’m not entirely sure. I was sent to find you, but Charlie and his entire family forcibly removed Brad from the hotel entirely.”
“Oh God.” I hugged my waist. Charlie was so much better than Patterson, and he shouldn’t have to fight my battles.
“Charlie wanted desperately to find you.”
I swiped the tears from my face. “Doesn’t matter. I lost everything.”
She reached out her hand. “We’re all here for you, not for Charlie.”
I took it and wished she understood how I’d even ruined their vacation. “Charlie insisted I bring you all. I had no idea the second we stepped off the plane… I thought we’d have a few days.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’ve texted the group where you are.”
I jumped up. I wasn’t ready to handle more. I was a disaster, and my friends probably hated me. “I’m homeless for a few more months. I have no job prospects. I’m entirely ruined.”
Avril followed me. “You have us and Charlie, though I don’t get why you thought you could just pretend to be engaged for a while when it was obvious to everyone that you were in love.”
I walked into the lobby and toward the other side that would likely have cars. “Avril, you’re so optimistic, but I need to get to the airport and get out of here before Charlie ever finds me. I’m sure someone is mad at me.”
“Miley was a little smug like she figured out something was wrong, but she loves you and also wants you to be happy.” She walked next to me. “And I’m not letting you go anywhere without me.”
We made it, but there was no yellow car waiting to whisk me away. I turned toward Avril. “Then call a cab.”
She sucked in her bottom lip. “I think we should wait.”
I called a service. “I’m going with or without you.” The nearest car was five minutes away. I accepted and told her, “Okay. The ride will be here soon.”
Soon I would be gone, and maybe the best thing was to never face anyone ever again.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Charlie
* * *
My heart beat a mile a minute, but forcibly removing a man I wanted to pummel for hurting Hope had taken longer than I wanted. Adrenaline rushed through me.
Hope had left, and I needed to find her. So I returned to the balcony, and most of my family and guests were still there. I'd expected Kir, but the first person who rushed toward me was Miley.
Holding her phone to her ear, she told me, “Patterson’s an idiot. I’m filing suit as we speak.”
I took a deep breath. “You’re sure that’s what Hope wants?”
Miley nodded. “We talked about it on the plane.”
