Page 42 of Chandelier Enthralled
“Why didn’t you say so?”
“I tactfully expressed that he was a taker.”
Thinking back to that day, when he and Mia had visited my home in New York, I recalled Cameron saying something like that, but I was so in love with Hugo, and being everything to him had felt so good.
My brother was right, though. Hugo only gave when it benefited his self-image or fulfilled his own needs. He was selfish and painfully cruel at times.
I deserved his accusation of being spoiled throughout my life. The truth stung more than his accusation—because I believed it.
If I could just prove I can make a difference in this world…
“Look, you idealized him,” he said. “You lived an alternative reality called a shared reality space. It wasn’t real.”
I pressed my hand to my chest, desperately trying to hold back the inevitable anguish. It was as if a part of me couldn’t face the reality that our relationship was ending. Because once I acknowledged it, the floodgates of pain would open, drowning me.
“It’s challenging to date a Cole, Willa.”
“But I’m just me.”
Cameron looked sympathetic. “I love you, and I’m here for you.”
The doorbell rang and Cameron shook his head, preemptively annoyed. He headed for the kitchen door and exited with his mug in hand.
I walked into the pantry, ready to bake something delicious, checking out the assortment of packets on the top shelf. One of them was protein-packed muffins and they seemed like the best choice.
With the packet in hand, I withdrew from the pantry.
And jolted still.
Greyson stood in our kitchen. He was halfway through brewing another batch, scooping ground coffee into the machine with a practiced motion. Three more mugs sat lined up on the counter.
With his back to me, I couldn’t help but take a few seconds to admire his stunning physique. It was impossible not to notice how good he looked in those jeans. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up, revealing toned forearms that only added to the appeal.
I’d been secretly observing him for too long. “Hello, again.”
He froze and then turned around. His face lit up with joy and then he frowned all too quickly. Like he was pleased to see me and then changed his mind in a split second.
I raised the packet. “I’m going to make these. You can have one if you want.”
He reacted with a subdued annoyance.
Which annoyed me, too. “What happened to my brother’s car?”
“It’s parked out front.”
“But you lost it?”
“There are seven billion people in the world, and yet here you are, right in front of me, defying the odds.”
“What does that mean?”
“You’re impossibly…” His mouth formed the word pretty. “You look like your brother.”
“Didn’t think you were coming back.”
“I’m not here by choice.”
“Then why are you here?” I asked. “Are you a client?”
