Page 85 of Choose Us

“Holly isn’t my girlfriend anymore.” She reached for my hand and held it up. “We’re engaged.”

I looked at Robert.

He looked at me.

Tom observed from the sidelines witha wry smile.

I wanted to turn into a disco ball and explode in a shower of glitter. It wasnothow I foresaw the night starting.

Brooke didn’t release my hand. There was no questioning her confidence or her ability to stand up for herself where her father was concerned anymore.

I half expected Robert to turn and leave, but he took a moment to compose himself. The silence was uncomfortable. Then he smiled.

He actuallysmiled.

“It’s a beautiful ring. Similar to the first ring I got your mum actually.” He nodded towards the bracelet in my other hand. “Looks like gold was the right choice for you, Holly, it matches your new ring.”

Was this whole thing a prank?

“Erm, yeah, it does.Thank you.”

“Can your old man give you both a hug?” Robert extended his arms.

Brooke looked up at me. She was as confused by his reaction as I was. She nodded. Before I had a chance to say anything, I felt the itchy wool of Robert’s suit jacket against my right cheek and the roughness of his day-old stubble against my left.

This was weird.

I placed my hand on his back and was conscious of feeling like a melon being squeezed to death by a bear. I’d seen it first-hand while camping in Japan—bears liked melon, apparently. I felt Brooke’s hand slide over the top of mine. She was still holding my ring finger as our shoulders crushed together.

“Okay, Dad. I think that’s enough hugging,” Brooke said light-heartedly. He eased his grip and tooka step back.

“I’m really happy for you both.”

Is he dying?

I wasn’t proud of it being my first thought, but I don’t think anyone could blame me for thinking it. Who was this man? And what had he done with Robert Jacobs?

“Thanks Dad; that means somuch to me.”

Tom nodded in our direction. “Congrats, lovebirds.” He saidinsincerely.

Brooke scowled at him.

“Can I get you both a drink?” Brooke asked.

“Whiskey neat please, sweetheart.” Robert turned towards me; his usual stare unnerved me, but it was softer somehow. “Holly, why don’t you show me the apartment? I’d love to see.”

Gulp.

Thisis too much.

“Erm,yeah, sure.”

I’d only ever been around Robert when Brooke was present. When he’d come to London a year prior, he took us to dinner. He paid for us to attend the opera. He’d even provided Brooke with his American Express card so we could both get new outfits. The words spoken were few and far between, but he’d shown interest in my career and my life outside of being his daughter’s girlfriend. Since then, he’d called Brooke once a week, just to check in, and the dark cloud that had surrounded the whole situation for a long time seemed to be gone with the wind.

Brooke smiled softly.

This was important to her. It was everything she’d dreamed of, and I wanted that for herand for us.