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Our memories together come rushing to my mind while I’m standing there alone. The merry sound of her laughter drowns every other sound around me.
An image of her smile and how it brings her eyes alive also pins down in my memory. I realize I can spend hours watching her smile and listening to her talk.
Even Julia never made me feel this intensely.
My palms turn sweaty from the whirlwind of emotions consuming me all at once. I recall the grief that overcame me after Julia’s betrayal, how that ache had pained me for months.
I’ve stayed away from relationships all these years because of that one experience.
But Nelly. Am I in love with her?
A shudder wracks through me after the question pops into my mind.
It can’t be.Nelly’s a beautiful woman, and I’m attracted to her, yes, but love?
Falling in love with anyone has been out of the question for years now. Besides, Nelly is family, so it’s only natural that I would feel strongly protective of her, right?
Chapter 19
Nelly
“Happy birthday!” Everyone chorused that lovely Sunday night as we celebrated Robert Everhart’s seventy-sixth birthday.
Ethan is by my side, showering me with a big smile as we toast to his grandfather.
We signed the merger contract this past Friday, providing one more reason to celebrate tonight. Tom’s still in town because he had to be present at the merger as Sunny Aerospace’s second-largest shareholder, and he also just took a month of absence from his work.
The plan is to spend more time with my lovely wife,Tom said to me on Friday afternoon after we signed the merger. Tom and Robyn’s romance always reminds me of my desire to one day find love.
Sighing, I pull my thoughts back to reality and put on a smile. This is a new phase for Hart Holdings and Sunny Aerospace, and I’m excited because, with Ethan’s help, Sunny Aerospace will re-innovate and expand.
We’re celebrating at a garden-themed restaurant in downtown Los Angeles. The place is well-decorated, and well-placed lights give me a perfect view of every face present for the evening.
I clink glasses with Tom, and he does the same with Ethan before I turn to Robert. “Happy birthday, Robert,” I say cheerfully, leaning in for a hug.
“Thank you,” he replies in his usual gruff tone. His smile reaches the corners of his eyes as he looks at me. I kiss both his cheeks before moving away to give Ethan the chance to hug him too.
A whiff of his scent hits me when he breezes past, and once again, the hurtful pang I fought to get rid of every day since his rejection hits hard.
How long can I keep doing this?
I’m falling for him all over again, and he makes it hard not to.With his selflessness.
This time, Ethan has to want me too.That’s the only way this will work.
“You okay?” Tom asks. “You look pale. You look great in red, but it still doesn’t hide your pallor.”
“I’m fine,” I murmur before lifting my champagne glass to my lips, but Tom knows that’s an obvious lie.
Thankfully, Tom’s wife joins our conversation. I know he will press me until I tell him, and the last thing I want to talk about tonight is Ethan.
Robyn is a sassy blonde with a full smile that reminds me of a child. So carefree and full of life. She hugs me, kisses both my cheeks, then lowers herself to the empty seat beside me.
Ethan and his grandfather are still talking, and I catch him shaking hands with George Brene, who’s also present for the birthday dinner.
“I heard about the project with Everhart,” Robyn is saying, and I pull my attention back to her again.
“You did amazing, Nelly. Tom talks about you all the time and wouldn’t stop boasting to all our friends back in New York.”