Page 111 of House of Deceit

“Great, whatever you’ve got is fine,” I interject.

We sign all the paperwork and take the keys and follow her directions, searching for the car.

“These numbers are going down. We are going the wrong way,” I say checking the sign before turning and going the other direction.

“If you were a good husband, you’d help me with my bags,” Parker says, needling me.

I look over my shoulder at him, giving him a droll look as I pick up the pace, not wanting to waste any more time.

“I would just like to remind you that you punched me in the face which has led to me getting many funny looks. You can carry your own bags.”

Sure, him punching me in the eye knocked me back into my senses as far as Charlie is concerned, saving me, but that doesn’t stop my eye from throbbing with each step.

We both come to a stop as we spy the lone car remaining, in the spot we are assigned, a tiny hybrid awaiting us. My knees will be in my throat, but I don’t care. I’ve already been without Charlie too long.

“She did say it’d be a tight fit,” Parker says, eyeing it. We shove our bags into the miniscule trunk before he slides into the driver’s seat.

We ride in silence, through small town after small town in the mountains of Georgia. My elbow rests on the open window as my hand loosely holds the wheel. The wind is cooler here, where the warmth of the sun is blocked.

My muscles get tighter and tighter the closer we get until, finally, we pull up in front of Charlie’s building. My grip is so tight around the steering wheel, I’m not sure I will be able to let go.

“You have to relax, man. Knock the stick out of your ass and come apologize to your girl,” Parker says, climbing from the eco-friendly clown car.

Charlie’s favorite saying calms me, almost as if the turn of phrase is a sign I’m doing the right thing, so I throw open the door and follow him into the apartment complex.

The finicky elevator Charlie complained about in our time together is working, thankfully. I didn’t want to be winded asking the gorgeous woman to take me back.

Parker stands in front of the door, hand poised to knock before he whispers to me.

“Remember to stay off to the side. She’s probably still mad at you and we need to get in the door.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know,” I say, stepping to the side a little more, butterflies settling into my stomach.

I know this is going to work. It has to work. As Parker goes to knock, the door is ripped open.

The morning air is crisp. It will burn off by the afternoon, but the hint of autumn right around the corner brings a smile to my face. The line before me moves at a glacial pace, but the pastries are worth the wait. For a moment, I marvel at this. Instead of having to fight through rush hour traffic, I can stand here and enjoy the morning and take all the time I need.

My feet hurt in my heels, but it feels nice being dressed in my usual pencil skirt and top once more. My appointment to sign the contracts for the various brand deals I decided to go with isn’t for another hour or so. The same attorney who walked me through my contract for House of Deceit was more than happy to help me with these as well when I called asking if he’d represent me once more. While I won’t be making millions of dollars, combined with my winnings, I won’t need to find a regular job anytime soon.

Life feels like it’s settling down a little. Overall, not much has changed. I’m still, technically, unemployed. I’m still single. I still have the best parents and friend a girl could ask for. And yet, within my soul, nothing has stayed the same.

Thinking about my living situation, I finally decided what I want to do about Scott. He has been sleeping in the spare room while I decide if I want to have him back in my life. It’s only been a few days since I’ve been home, but there’s no use in trying again. He’ll never beat Alec in my heart. I just need to tell him.

I wait for my blueberry muffin and piccolo with the group of half-awake commuters. My eyes flit from person to person and something settles in my chest. I’m thankful for my time in the house. Instead of standing here waiting to go to a job I hate, I have the space to try and find a dream job. Or as close to one as I can find. I have a moment where I can be picky and that’s a place I never thought I’d be.

“Charlie!” the barista calls out. I thank them as I take my drink and muffin. A woman slips up next to me, stopping me from turning.

“I thought that was you. Hi, I’m Gertie, and I just want to say, I was rooting for you the entire time on House of Deceit. Your interviews were some of my favorites.”

Turning on the person Alec helped me build, I settle into TV Charlie within seconds. Martha and I had discussed what to expect when I left the mansion in our final week together. She reminded me every interaction needs to be professional, but they are expecting the Charlie they know, not necessarily the Charlie I am.

“That’s so kind, thank you so much, Gertie. Thank you for watching the show.”

“I don’t normally do this, but would you mind if I take a picture with you?”

“Of course, it would be my pleasure.”

With a beautiful smile, she saddles up next to me and I squat down a smidgen so we are roughly the same height. Gertie holds her phone out in front of us and I make sure to smile happily.

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