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“Why didn’t you?” I asked, covering what I was really feeling.
“Because it would have ruined the carefully crafted story I created. Imagine what the press would say if they found out your own bodyguards kidnapped you. I would be a laughingstock.”
I nodded, ready to get out of here, when a thought occurred to me. “Dad, can I ask you a question?”
“You know you can,” he smiled at me.
“When…when you were first dating Mom…did you ever consider finding someone else?”
“Of course not. I knew she was the one for me when I met her.”
“Because you both wanted the same thing,” I hedged.
“Exactly. She wanted the social status and I wanted her money. It worked out perfectly.”
“What I mean is, did you ever want to find someone else that…that you loved?”
The smile slipped from his face as he walked around his desk. “Loved? Wren, don’t fall for it. Love will only break your heart. Love will not get you what you want out of life. Love can’t ensure you have everything you want.” He turned, cursing under his breath. “Love will leave you miserable.”
“So, you never?—”
“Are you backing out of the engagement?” he asked, his face filled with horror.
“No,” I rushed on. “Of course not. It was just a question.”
“Because Bryce can give you everything you want.” Then his face sobered. “This is about that man.”
“Who?” I feigned ignorance.
“The security man. Wren, do not throw everything away for someone like him. He has nothing to offer you. He can’t give you the life you need.”
“Dad,” I said, trying to sound reassuring. “I’m not leaving Bryce. I want to be with him. Like I said, it was just a question.”
Relief filled his face, so I walked forward and hugged him, shocking the hell out of him. Instead of returning the gesture, he stood there stiffly, staring at me like I had lost my mind.
“What are you doing?”
“I…I was trying to reassure you.”
“Well…” He patted me on the shoulder and stepped back. “We don’t need to do that. I trust you.”
“Okay, well…I’m going to freshen up.”
“We have that art opening tomorrow.”
If I said I wasn’t up for it, he would know something else was going on. So, I smiled and nodded. “Of course.”
But as I walked out of the room, I had the distinct feeling that I was making a mistake by listening to my father.
“Bryce,” I said, walking down the stairs. I hadn’t even been home an hour when my father told me Bryce was coming over to strategize.
“There she is,” he grinned. “Had me worried for a minute.”
“That I had been kidnapped?”
He took my hand as I hit the last step, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “That you had decided to run away with the help. That wouldn’t be very good for my image.”
“You know me better than that.” I smiled at him, but inside, all I could think about was how Brock had walked out of my life without a backward glance. If only I had a chance to talk with him. I could have explained.
