AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER8
Brooke
NOW
I silently cursedmyself the rest of the way to the Hamptons. How could I have been so stupid? How could I have blurted out the very thing I was being so careful about sharing with Liam?
He’d played it cool for the rest of the drive to the heliport, but I could tell he was still upset.
Thank fucking God for Leah being so understanding. As I had seen yesterday, her insightfulness knew no bounds, and I was extremely grateful that she’d helped smooth things over in the car. Hopefully, Liam would hold on to that perspective once I had a chance to talk to him alone.
The Greys’ Hamptons House was every bit as majestic as their Connecticut property. Sitting on a private stretch of beach, the 1926 oceanfront home boasted five bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and over 6,000 square feet of space. As I quietly tiptoed through the front door—tiptoeing seemed appropriate given the sheer size and ornate decor that gave the place a museum feel—I couldn’t help but exhale in awe.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Lillian asked.
“Breathtaking,” I said.
Liam came up behind me, carrying our bags. “Let me show you to our room.” He motioned to the grand staircase and led the way to the second floor.
Our room looked like an art deco hotel. Tall bay windows with long velvet curtains, a king-sized bed with cozy white sheets, wooden furniture, and a large crystal chandelier all welcomed us.
“Listen, Liam, before we go back downstairs, I think we should talk for a minute.”
His chest rose and fell with a heavy breath. “I know. I’m just… surprised. I can’t believe that Alex is your—well,theguy.”
I nodded.Been there, bud.“It was a lot to digest. But you have to know, that’s all it was. He is my past, and you are my present.”
I inched over to Liam, winding my arms around his waist. He didn’t shove me away, so I took that as a pretty decent sign.
“Can I ask you something?” he said.
“Anything.”
“Why’d the two of you break up?”
I considered the question for a minute. It was the same question I’d asked myself for years after Alex and I had broken up, always telling myself things ended because of Mariah—because of her machinations, because Alex had slept with her after we’d fought that day. But now, I knew better.
“Because he didn’t trust me.”
Liam’s brows knit. “Why? I can’t imagine anyone not trusting you.”
I sighed. I’d told myself that over and over again, too.
Before I could respond—not that I knew how to—Lillian poked her head in the doorway.
“Are you two decent?”
“Mom!” Liam groaned.
I smiled, happy to have someone break up my thoughts about my breakup.
“Just kidding,” Lillian said cheerily. “Listen, your father and I just got some news. Willard Frankland of Frankland, Lloyd, Carter just invited us to the company’s charity weekend event.
I looked at Liam expectantly, and he filled in the gap.
“The Grey Industries board has been trying to acquire Frankland, Lloyd, Carter for years. Their law firm is one of the best in LA, in addition to offices in New York, Seattle, and throughout the Midwest. Every year they hold a huge charity gala, but we’ve never been able to attend.” He turned to his mom, adding, “Why now?”
“It seems they’re making some changes and are interested in discussing things.”
