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EPILOGUE TWO

IT HAPPENED AGAIN

Maisy Calhoun

In the elevator,alone, I sagged against the wall, finally able to relax my tense shoulders. Throughout the reception, I kept hyper vigilant to Brooks’ whereabouts at all times. Often, our eyes met across the room and it exhausted me pretending not to be affected by his silent attention.

I sure did a great job of keeping away from him, or maybe he did a splendid job of keeping away from me. Either way, it was for the best. Besides, he brought a woman with him as his plus one. Archer’s date’s sister, and she meant nothing to him, according to what Rex told Chelsea.

I acted like I cared less and danced the night away with anyone not named Brooks Bellamy. When I needed a break, I kept myself useful to Miriam, doing her bidding, whatever she needed me to do to ensure the reception wentoff without a hitch for my sister, no matter how inconsequential the task.

Brooks texted me at one point, though, and while the elevator climbed higher to my floor, I thumbed through the messages once again, reading every word.

Brooks: You’re fucking gorgeous tonight.

Brooks: It hurts like hell to look at you.

Me: Then don’t.

Brooks: Hard to avoid when you’re the only woman in the room I see.

Brooks: Meet me in the bar for a drink. Let’s talk.

Me: About what?

Brooks: The fact that I miss you.

Me: Didn’t look like it when you danced all the slow songs with what’s her face.

Brooks: So you were watching me?

Brooks: Jealous?

Me: Hardly.

Brooks: You’re lying. She’s not the woman I want and you know it.

Me: Why do you think I danced with every man not you?

Brooks: To make me jealous, and it worked.

Brooks: Still there? Meet me.

Me: I’m busy.

Brooks: No. You’re avoiding me.

Me: I can’t go through this again.

Brooks: You miss me. Admit it.

Me: After New Year’s, I head back to the ship.

Brooks: I’m painfully aware of your schedule.

Me: Keeping tabs on me?