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“Did you know he’d be there?” Carlee asks when we’re on the sidewalk.
“No,” I admit. “But he does live very close, so bumping into him doesn’t surprise me.”
“Which means, in a few hours,you’lllive close.”
I told her I was moving out over brunch at a cute restaurant near Central Park. Most would consider it a hole-in-the-wall, but they have the best smoked salmon bagels in the city, and their iced coffee is to die for.
I was nervous to admit I was moving in with Easton today, worried about what she’d say, but she supported it without any pushback. Sleeping on her couch in her tiny apartment was a temporary arrangement until I got back on my feet. Neither of us expected this though.
Finding a billionaire bachelor wasn’t on my bingo card.It’s a shock to the world.
I turn around and point to the oversized hanging balcony and the penthouse that looks like a diamond in the day too. The blue-tinted windows sparkle in the sunshine.
“That’s it,” I tell her.
Her brows rise. “No way.”
“It’s gorgeous inside, with leather furniture, fluffy rugs, high ceilings, and a view that’s unheard of. And his library …”
“Please invite me over ASAP.”
“Once I’m settled, consider it done.” Nervous laughter escapes me.
I’m fully committed to Easton and to being his temporary wife. The thought of being all in for a lie terrifies me, but I believe we’ll pull it off. I remember why Easton is doing this—because he cares about his family’s business and their employees.
We take the stairs that lead below ground and wait for our train to arrive. A small crowd of people forms around us, so we move farther down to have some privacy.
Carlee shoves her hands in her pockets and grins at me. “You’re falling in love with him. I can see it on your face.”
“It’s been ten days,” I tell her.
“And you’re already moving in together,” she says. “You know the rhyme.”
I shake my head. “Don’t start.”
“First comes love, second comes … just saying, falling in love looks good on you.”
She knows me better than I know myself at times. We dated the same man in college, and she watched me fall back in love with my now ex after a summer fling. In my adult life, she’d recognize it, and she’d also notice when something was off. She believes I’m falling in love, and the thought scares me more than anything.
Ican’t. I won’t. I know what it leads to—heartbreak.
This is my moment of truth, and I don’t say anything. I don’t confirm or deny the allegations. I sit in her words, marinate in them, so she keeps talking.
“He looks at you like he’s totally obsessed. I mean, I get it. You’rehot. The both of you just … match. It’s like … wow.”
I smile.
“I wish I had that,” she says.
“You will,” I tell her. “You’ll find something that’s real, with someone who makes you excited to wake up in the morning. I promise.”
One day, years from now, I’ll tell her the truth. It’s a promise I make to myself as we step onto the train.
Carlee says something to me, but I’m caught off guard when I see Brody at the opposite end of the car. He doesn’t make eye contact, and as soon as we step off, I stand on the platform with my arms crossed over my chest and wait for everyone to clear out.
“What are you doing?” Carlee asks, confused when I don’t budge.
As soon as Brody steps off, I walk over to him. “Seriously?”