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I read the email.
“Oh my God,” I mutter.
“What is it?” Zara asks.
“James Lyons from Elite Coastal Decorators has asked to meet with me to discuss ideas for an upcoming project. Franklin passed on my email as James saw my work in Franklin’s Malibu house and loved it.” My heart races with excitement that someone, another interior decorator, no less, appreciates my design concept.
Hugh stands beside me with an opened bottle, ready to pour our drinks. “He saw your work?”
“Yeah,” I murmur, confused.
“When?”
I glance up from my cell, taken back by Hugh’s tone. Hugh respects my ideas and has no reason to doubt the validity of the email.
“You said Franklin saw it once before he left for New York.”
I now see the point Hugh is making.
Hugh refills our glasses and takes a seat, then pulls out his cell and scrolls while taking sips of wine. “You’re not going to like this, Pen.” Hugh holds out his cell for Sienna to pass to me.
“Just say it,” Zara says since she can’t see the screen.
“Franklin’s Malibu home is listed for sale.”
What?
Hugh’s expression is serious.
I take the phone from Sienna and read the screen. The marketing is spot on and has elaborated on the excellent remodeling and decorating by Penelope Gilbert, emphasizing sustainable choices and environmental values as a way of the future while maintaining class.
I stare at Hugh, lost for words.
Our eyes are locked as he portrays concern. “Did you know?”
I can’t breathe.
Zara flies out of her seat and takes the phone from my hand.
The world slows as I ruminate over everything he has said to me and what Jobe said when I asked questions about the renovation to suit Franklin’s lifestyle.
The bedroom, for fuck’s sake. I’d dreamed of lying beside him, gazing up at the starry sky, night after night.
“No.” My voice rasps.
“The bastard,” Zara says loud enough for the neighbors to hear and quickly places my cell on the table like it’s too hot to touch.
“Maybe I missed something.” I spring out of the chair, grab my cell from the table, and scroll through our messages. “I tried so freaking hard to impress him that I must have missed him telling me it was an investment.”
Hugh is beside me. He places a hand over the cell phone and lowers it away from my face. “You spoke to me most days about it. Not once did you mention he might sell. You thought it was his forever home.”
“If you consider the positives…” Sienna begins, “… he has mentioned you several times, your creative ideas, the importance of investing in sustainable remodeling choices and being environmentally conscious.” She looks up at us. “You’re going to receive a ton of work from this. It’s so different from everything in LA being over the top when you are offering something unique and mindful to the buyer.”
Zara wraps an arm around me. “While that’s great, it’s not helping Pen get through the hurt of Franklin not telling her his intention to list it after she finished pouring her heart and soul into making it a home suited to him.”
My chest is so tight with devastation.
I’m insignificant to him.
