Page 54 of Masked Secrets
“Answer another question first. Why does it matter? She’s just another woman you fucked, right?” Evan asks.
“How dare you speak of Brooke that way!” I lean forward, heat rising in my face.
“Ahh! That’s what I thought. She’s the one. You’re screwed mate!” Evan laughs.
“What do you mean?”
“You found the new Lady Sandridge, but you mucked it up before you could seal the deal,” Evan explains.
He’s right. The thought of never being with her again physically hurts.
“How did I screw this up so royally?” I ask.
“Because you’ve never been in love before,” Evan says.
“I’m not in love,” I choke, my voice trembling slightly.
“Mate, you’re lying to yourself. Wake up. If she’s the one, you have to fix this. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with that too proper Lady Whitfield. She’s colder than ice. You’ll be miserable,” Evans says with conviction.
My chest tightens at the realization that Sean and Evan are right. Panic rises as my heart quickens. I can’t bear the thought of losing her forever.
“True. What can I do?”
“Based on the romance movies that my sister, Brianna, watches, you’re supposed to make a grand gesture,” Evan says.
“What’s a grand gesture?” I ask.
“An extravagant show of love that will overwhelm her and make her melt at your feet,” Evan says.
“And it must be especially meaningful to her. For example, if she hates driving, then don’t buy her an expensive car. Do something that’s specifically just for her,” Sean explains.
“If that’s what you think would work. But nothing specific is coming to mind. I need to think about it.”
“Makes sense, but it can wait until after we eat. Let’s enjoy Chef’s dinner. You can figure your love life out tomorrow,” Evan says.
“Fair enough.”
When Chef walks in to welcome us, my mind is elsewhere. I’m racking my brain as to what would be grand enough to win Brooke back.
An idea begins to form as Chef begins to explain the tasting menu for tonight.
My first step tomorrow is to make sure that Brooke will be at the masquerade ball. I’m not accepting another attorney as her replacement.
27
BROOKE
Agorgeous red gown with sequins, crystals, and feathers, along with a matching mask, arrives at my home on Saturday morning. I start to refuse it, assuming it’s an apology from Stuart.
My heart sinks when I learn it’s from the PR firm. Apparently, they want to make sure I’ll lookappropriateat the ball.
I kick myself for being disappointed that it isn’t from Stuart. What did I expect? He doesn’t even know I’m upset, much less the reason. This isn’t a fairytale where Prince Charming shows up with a glass slipper. This is real life, and I keep effing it up looking for true love.
Mid-afternoon, I inform Mr. Barclay that he needs to find someone to replace me at the masquerade ball. He responds that it would be impossible. Unless I attend, I’m effectively turning in my resignation to the law firm.
What the ever-loving-fuck!
Unfortunately, he’s one of the senior law partners who likes to throw around his power.
