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I’d get her out of there, away from him. I’d protect my best friend, because she was the best of us. The most loyal, passionate, and loving. If not for her, I don’t know how I would have gotten out from the darkest depths of my divorce.
It was time for me to return the favor.
I hesitated, eyes darting to the theater where Sebastian had disappeared. I stalled for a minute. Two. Enough time for him to speak poison in her ear.
But if I barged in on them, he’d have a chance to talk his way out of it, to make me look like the bad guy. After all, I was no stranger to screwing up. He might twist my words and wriggle his way out of this one too.
I wasn’t going to give him that chance. Eyes scanning the room, my mind whirled for a way to get Charlie away from that rat bastard who would sell us all off for a fat check from a weaselly businessman.
Then, I spotted a little red square on the wall next to the elevator. Hmm, that could work. I glanced up at the ancient sprinklers in the ceiling above, then down at the glitz and glamour below.
It was as good an idea as any. And probably the best chance at stopping that jerk from doing any more damage. I climbed the steps and hurried to the fire alarm. The metal was cool beneath my fingertips, the white lever calling my name. I shot one last look down the hall where they’d disappeared, heart pounding as my resolve turned to hard, clear crystal.
I might get in very big trouble for this. But it would be worth it.
THIRTY-FOUR
CHARLIE
I sat in the premium seats in the middle of the aisle where Sebastian and I had pleased ourselves before. My fingers trailed over the red velvet armrest, and I inhaled the scent of old popcorn and musty cushions. Happiness fizzed inside me as I thought of this old building getting an update. It was so much better than what I’d wanted to save. People would come to New Elwood and enjoy this building, instead of walking by and frowning at the peeling paint and blown lightbulbs.
And I’d done it with Sebastian. My foot bounced up and down as I waited for him, heat sparking in my veins at the thought of what we could do in here, all alone, to celebrate our big win.
Then he walked in, eyes wild and bowtie askew. Dark strands of hair fell over his brow and ears, as if he’d run his hands through it half a dozen times.
I stood. “Sebastian? Is everything okay?”
His steps ate the distance between us, and then I was in his arms. He let out a deep, shuddering breath, and then captured my lips with his. He nipped at my bottom lip, then slid his tongue against mine. I clung to him, falling into the kiss, then pulled away.
Something was off.
“We did it,” he said, speaking a little too fast, “we can save this place.”
I pushed a strand of hair off his forehead. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Charlie, I—” His eyes were dark in the gloom of the theater, his palms pressing into my sides as he dragged me closer. “You mean so much to me, Charlie.”
My shoulders softened. “Same here,” I told him. As his gaze flicked between my eyes, I knew that this was my chance. We were riding this high, and I was sick of waiting to ask the question that was burning inside me. It would be easy to fall into his arms, to accept the pleasure of his touch, but I needed to know the future was secure.
I put my fingers on his lips just as he was going to speak. “So listen, I want to talk to you about something.”
He swallowed hard. Frowned. “Yeah?”
There were shadows in his eyes that didn’t make sense after our big win. “We’re celebrating, right? Saving the Monticello? It feels good, doesn’t it?”
“It does.”
My heart rattled. Everything had led up to this moment. And with Sebastian’s arms around me, I had to believe it would all work out. So I took a bracing breath, ready to reveal my most secret dream. “What we’re doing with the theater—what you’ll do with the theater—I want to do that with Radcliffe House Apartments.”
“Charlie—”
“Just hear me out. I get that it’s worth more to you dead than alive, and you don’t want to invest another dime into it. But I do. I want you to reconsider razing the house and instead, let me buy it from you.”
He blinked. His breath caught, and something like despair flashed across his eyes. My own panic mounted, because I didn’t understand this mood. We should’ve been high on our win! We should’ve been celebrating! But Sebastian looked like he’d just put all his chips on red—and lost. Something was wrong.
When he spoke, his voice was ragged. “What are you talking about?”
I backed away from him slightly, still in the circle of his arms but with a few inches between us. Hands on his shoulders, I met his gaze head-on. “I’m talking about selling it to me. Fair and square at market value. I got approved for the loan. It’ll take time, but I’ll fix it up and it won’t be your problem anymore. We can put the whole thing behind us.”
