“No matter what, I can’t be the reason you don’t follow your dream.”
“And I can’t be the reason you don’t follow yours.” He looked into her eyes, and was relieved to feel the spark, even when their conversation had taken such a fatalistic bent. There would always be a connection between them. An invisible tether. His heart would always want her, even if it might never work out.
“I guess we’re finally on the same page.”
“I guess you’re right.” Just not in the way that he’d ever hoped they’d be. They sat in silence as reality settled over them one more time.
“Okay,” she said, breaking the quiet. She grabbed her purse and stood. “I need to get to the office. I’ll see you on Halloween?”
He got up to show her to the door. “Yes. Definitely. I’ll drive. I’ll pick you up.”
He waited for her to make a little red corvette joke. But she didn’t. She walked to the door, each step sure and certain, then turned back to him one more time. “And please wear a costume. Something cool. I want my nephew to have the best Halloween ever.”
No pressure.“I’ll do my best.”
Chapter Seventeen
Brooklyn was hauntedby her conversation with Alec for days. She couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened between them, what might have been, and the time in between then and now. She couldn’t stop going over the moment when they’d admitted that they still loved each other. It made her heart heavy and light at the same time, relieved that they both could own up to having those feelings. And sad that it wasn’t enough.
For an entire year, she’d only seen the end of their relationship through her own eyes. But ever since the night they went out for ramen and everything unraveled, she began to see it through Alec’s. She could imagine his days alone in paradise, heartbroken that his plan hadn’t worked and simultaneously feeling idiotic for thinking it might. Meanwhile, Brooklyn had been just as lonely, working her ass off at home, feeling as though she had to hold the world of the Monroe women together. She and Alec could’ve helped each other. If only pride hadn’t gotten in the way—not just Alec’s, either. Brooklyn had let hers mess everything up as well. She’d been too afraid to fail. Too scared of what it might mean to tell her mom that she’d left Aurora Beauty for nothing. So she’d plowed ahead, like a bull through the proverbial china shop, simply willing herself to succeed. The funny thing was, itworked. She had her success. But at what price?
The flip side was this—if she’d gone to Bermuda and Alec had proposed, Brooklyn would’ve freaked. She would’ve said no. She probably would’ve asked what in the hell he was thinking, because they were not ready to get married. She was way too overwhelmed by responsibility, and he was grieving, although he clearly hadn’t shared with her the depths of what he’d been experiencing. Bottom line, it all would’ve blown up. And probably in an irreparable way. An I-am-blocking-your-number-on-my-phone and please-get-out-of-my-face way. It was almost comical to be thankful for their breakup only beingslightly terriblerather thancompletely awful. Brooklyn chalked it up to blind optimism. She would stay positive. No more ghosts. Even though it was Halloween.
This was one of Brooklyn’s favorite holidays, a chance to be as out there as she wanted to beandget all hopped up on sugar. Dressed in her costume, an ensemble that captured one of her most beloved moments in music, she grabbed her bag and headed downstairs to the lobby of her apartment building. Cy had the night off so he could spend it with his grandchildren. Brooklyn was disappointed not to see him, mostly because he still hadn’t given her an answer on her job offer. Had she overstepped? Was she thinking so far outside the box that the box was no longer in the same zip code? Possibly. Probably. Virginia had expressed her doubts, but ultimately capitulated to Brooklyn’s plan. Brooklyn suspected her sister had only given in because the blueprint for installing a doorman as head of operations was doomed. Ithadbeen impetuously put together.
When Alec zipped up to the curb in his Aston Martin, Brooklyn made her way outside. Like the gentleman he was, he climbed out of the driver’s seat to greet her. But Brooklyn was too stuck on the fact that he had totally lamed out on the costume. He was wearing a light blue oxford shirt and khakis. And inexplicably, black thick-framed glasses.
“Nerdy glasses? That’s it?”
He held his arms out to both sides and looked down at himself. “You’re missing the bigger picture.”
Brooklyn was about to dispute his statement, but then he started unbuttoning his shirt. For a moment, she stood frozen as a thrill went through her at the prospect of seeing him half-naked. But then she remembered they were still standing on the street and this was Alec. The man was not exactly an exhibitionist. After a few buttons, he peeled back the dress shirt and that was when she saw the tight-fitting tee underneath and the big red “S” emblazoned across his chest. She glanced at the glasses again and jokingly slapped her forehead. It was too perfect. “You’re Clark KentandSuperman. It’s amazing. I love it.”
“This is as close as I get to being a superhero. And I’m way more Clark Kent. Old Clark Kent at that. The salt-and-pepper hair isn’t going anywhere.” He started to button up his shirt again, and Brooklyn was overcome by a desire to see a replay of this later. Maybe play a role in it.
“You didn’t say anything about mine.” She twirled on the sidewalk to show off her own creative endeavor—a knit tank dress with a deep scoop back and a skater skirt, in a pale blue fabric printed with stars and moons. It had taken her hours searching online to find exactly what she was looking for. On her head, was the crowning glory.
“Raspberry beret?”
“Yes! You got it.” She clapped like she’d just won something on a game show. “I’m the woman from the video. The one who walked in through the out door. She’s actually a cartoon, but I did my best to bring her to life.”
“I like it. Might not be super obvious to anyone but the die-hard Prince fans.”
“I’d thought about dressing up as purple rain, but that was a craft project I did not have time to tackle. Plus, I wanted to look halfway cute if we’re going to be caught by the paparazzi.”
Alec rounded the car and opened the door for her. “Smart.” He returned to his side, climbed in and turned the ignition, then pulled out into traffic, the engine roaring. “Garden Place in Brooklyn Heights, right? The address you texted me?”
“Yep. That’s my sister’s. We’ll probably have to park several blocks away. She lives right in the middle of a hotspot for trick-or-treating. The whole street shuts down and everyone goes all-out. We’ll take Dallas while she stays behind with the baby and hands out candy.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing Virginia. It’s been a while.”
“She’s excited to see you, too.” This was all so normal. Just like the other day in Georgia’s office, when it had felt so right to hold his hand, before the reality of their situation crept in.We’re looking forward, Brooklyn.Just have fun. Enjoy your hella handsome date.“I feel like I should tell you that my mom will be there, too. And I’m sorry I never introduced you two while we were dating.”
Alec glanced at Brooklyn, then trained his eyes back on the road. “Just like I never brought you to meet everyone atGood Day.”
“That’s true. What’s your excuse?”
“I was miserable at my job and didn’t want to subject you to my mood when I was there.”
