Page 55 of Close Match

“I find him attractive,” I admit. “He’s warmed up some since he realized I’m not after Ev’s money.”

“He’s your stepbrother!” Bristol shouts.

“So? Simon wanted me to date Marco. What’s the difference if it were to happen? Not that I think it will.”

Bristol opens and closes her mouth a few times. “Nothing. I’ve got nothing. Be honest now: what’s he like?”

I think back to the night of the dinner where he easily could have looked up everything about me. And one word pops out of my mouth.

“Understanding.”

Bristol shoves the rest of the papers to the floor. She drops her iPad on top of them and lies down on the couch. “Okay, start from the beginning.”

And so, I tell her about how we first met in the lobby of the Hamilton, the wary vibes Montague Parrish gives off, and yet how protective he is of his family, including me.

“I never thought I’d say I’m ready to be gone for a while, especially to the country. But after your sonogram this week, I’m looking forward to heading back,” I admit.

“To see Monty?”

I flop onto my back so my head’s next to hers. “No, for the peace of the farm. I’m just beginning to relax there. I think it will be good for me.”

Bristol turns her head toward the ceiling. “I wonder why he left his job.”

“Me too, but it’s not like I’m his confidante. Besides, I still have plenty of secrets.” I run my fingers through my hair and squeeze. Hard. I feel her hands reach back and grab mine.

“So, you’re just kind of seeing where all of this takes you? With Everett? With his family?”

“I am. I mean, what’s the worst that happens? I walk away and come back to New York?” I shrug.

“No, the worst is you come back with a broken heart,” she argues.

“You’re assuming I’m going to get in that deep.”

“I think you’re already starting to.”

Thirty-One

Evangeline

The rest of the week in New York was almost carefree in comparison to the night at the Waldorf. After we found out Bristol is carrying a little boy, Marco joined us for dinner at the Club A Steakhouse where we joyfully passed around the sonogram photos. Bristol and I managed to outfit the nursery using Mom’s purple Judith Lieber purse as a kickoff for a fun, funky zoo theme. She and Simon plan on staying at my place while the amazing mural painter I found comes in next week to create a charming and bright-colored room for their future son.

And on display in a glass box will be his nana’s purse.

I’m texting Bristol to let her know I landed when I hear, “Hey, lady, looking for a ride?” My head snaps to the side, and I see Monty leaning negligently against a wall. Even though mirrored shades cover the top half of his face, a smile creases the lower half. Not for the first time since I saw him in the lobby do I think,Damn.

I tug my sunglasses off my face and tuck them on top of my head. Inside, I try to tamper down the anxiousness bubbling up over our first time alone together. “I guess that depends on what kind of wheels you got out there,” I deadpan.

Unable to maintain his look of stoicism, Monty pulls off his shades. Dark hazel eyes twinkle. “If you had half a clue what to do with this much power, I’d let you drive.”

“The last time I drove, I think it was before college,” I shyly admit as we make our way over to the baggage retrieval area. I know I’ve shocked him; I mean, what grown adult doesn’t regularly drive? Except I grew up in a city where mass transit is everywhere, and with private drivers, I didn’t need to.

Monty is stunned speechless. That is until he sees the amount of luggage I packed for this trip. “Four separate suitcases? Are you planning on moving in permanently?”

Embarrassed, I duck my head. Even though I did pack a lot, I also brought gifts from New York. Still, with everything that happened in the city, I thought I’d feel the warm welcome I did the first time I came here. During a quick text, Ev said to bring as much stuff down as I wanted, that I could leave it here.

Deciding to ignore Monty, I reach for the heaviest of the suitcases and hoist it with two hands. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” He rips it away from me, and our combined strength has the bag flying away a few feet. “Geez, He-Man, I was teasing. Ev said you’d have a lot of stuff.”

“Oh.” I yank my glasses back down, knowing they’re big enough shield my face so my hurt can’t be seen. I’m unsuccessful as Monty gently removes them.