Page 52 of Masked Secrets
Hell, why wasn’t I more careful? I never should have let my guard down. I knew better than to hold out hope for something more. For fuck’s sake, we live on different continents. I never should have let myself entertain warm and fuzzy feelings for him.
Fantasies don’t come true, especially not for me.
Stuart’s all smiles as he rejoins Hannah and me. “That went well, don’t you think?”
I can’t find words to answer, but Hannah beams. “Absolutely. You’re a natural.”
“Let’s hope we have record numbers at the theaters this weekend,” he says.
“I’m sure we will. Your car is waiting to take you back downtown. I’ll walk you out,” Hannah says, motioning for Stuart and me to walk toward the exit.
I cringe when Stuart touches the small of my back, his touch no longer welcome. I glance at his face, seeing surprise. Now’s not the time or place to explain. Actually, I don’t want to talk about this at all.
Instead, I hurry toward the waiting car, climb in the backseat, and pull my phone from my bag. My goal is to avoid talking to him at all.
I’m scrolling on my phone, trying to concentrate, but I’m not able to focus on anything I read.
Stuart interrupts, “Is there a problem at work?”
I bite my lip, refusing to look his way. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
“I don’t doubt that. You’re quite capable. If it relates to the Foundation, please tell me.”
“It doesn’t. Do you really think I wouldn’t tell you if it did?” I ask, snippier than I intended.
It seems I don’t know him at all. I’m not special to him. He now questions whether I’d withhold information from him about the Foundation. That means he doesn’t even trust me as an attorney. I was probably just another conquest for him to show off to his friends, Evan and Sean.
“Whoa. Did I do something to upset you?”
“Everything is fine.”
“When my mother says, ‘she’s fine,’ it usually means she’s anything but fine. Please tell me why you’re upset.”
“Sleeping with you was a mistake. Ourrelationshipis a business one. We need to stop crossing boundaries. I’m not willing to sacrifice my career for a connection that isn’tspecial. It turns out that’s just not who I am.”
Her voice is calm and almost detached, but I don’t miss the look of hurt in her eyes as she fidgets with her fingers. My brows furrow in confusion. I can feel her slipping away. Shite. Her words imply she’s already gone. Why?
“Brooke, I don’t understand. Our connectionisspecial. What made you change your mind? Did someone learn we’ve been together?” I hedge, disbelief lacing my voice.
“No. This morning was eye-opening for me. A wakeup call. I need to heed it. Please, respect my decision. If you’d like, I’ll have another attorney assigned to you for the masquerade ball. That would probably be for the best anyway. After all, you don’t seem to trust me.”
“I’m so bloody confused. We had an electric night. I’d spend every hour with you while I’m here, if I could. You’re a smart, fascinating woman who intrigues me. I thought you enjoyed our time together as well. But somehow, between the time the interview started and ended, you had a complete change of heart. I just don’t understand,” he says, throwing up his hands in confusion.
“You don’t need to.”
26
STUART
What the bloody hell.
Brooke is upset, and I can feel it’s somehow my fault. I just ... I can’t figure out what I did wrong. I hate that I made her feel this way. Maybe Sean and Evan can help me sort this out.
Me: What are you and Sean doing the rest of today?
Sean: We’re going to a Michelin 3-star seafood place for dinner tonight. The chef knows Evan is a foodie and invited him when he heard we’re in town. Want to join us?
Me: Where’s the restaurant?
