Page 31 of Forgotten Desires

Urgently.

And with a problem.

I look at my phone, anxious because he should be pulling in at any minute. Instead of meeting at the diner, it’s so much easier to just come here. So, Grady is driving him to the house.

So freaking awkward.

Headlights shine down the drive to where my cottage is, and I look in the mirror for the five hundredth time.

“You are a confident, smart, and amazing woman. Don’t be a bumbling fool.”

My reflection doesn’t exactly show that same level of confidence, but the knock on the door says it’s time to fake it.

I walk out to the living room and open the door. Crew is there, in a three-piece suit, looking so damn hot I might be burned just from being close to him.

His dark brown hair is pushed back and to the side. The dimple on his left cheek looks deeper than yesterday, but there’s a worry in his crystal blue eyes that has me concerned.

“Hey,” I say softly.

“Hey. Sorry to drop in like this.”

I shake my head. “No worries. Come in.”

He turns back to my brother. “Thanks for the ride. I’ll have Cliff meet me out here to drive back. I know you have the kids and it might be late.”

Grady looks like he’s ready to crawl out of his skin. Crew is both his boss and he delivered him to his little sister. I grin, loving this moment. “Bye, Grady!”

I pull Crew in and close the door. I laugh a little and Crew stares at me with a smile. “Enjoying yourself?”

“That moment was priceless. He wanted to rip your head off, but couldn’t. Oh, if only I had recorded it.”

Crew chuckles. “As an older brother, I can imagine exactly how that must’ve felt.”

I shrug. “Serves him right.”

Crew looks around my cottage, shaking his head. “You know, this place is a hundred percent you.”

“How so?” I ask, not sure if that’s a compliment or not.

“It’s just warm, comforting, filled with everything you’d want a home to be. The couch looks inviting and well loved. Everything is in great condition and it’s a place you want to be in.”

Definitely a compliment. “I’m sure yours is a dream.”

“Mine is a museum. I hate the couch, it’s fucking hard as a rock, but the designer was adamant it was the best piece for the space. Everything is spotless. You’d never know a human lives there.”

“Still, I’m sure it’s stunning.”

Crew walks over to my sofa and sits, melting into the broken-in furniture. “No, this is stunning and a dream, Brynn. This is a home.”

I move over, taking the seat next to him. “Why did you fly out here?” I ask, not really able to hold back.

His beautiful Nordic eyes meet mine. “Marry me.”

eight

CARSON

I’ve found in business it’s best to stun the person and then explain.

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