Page 54 of Secret Admirer
“I thought so too.” Rebecca had been sweet and acted like he was some sort of treasure.
The truth was she’d been the real find. He’d been stupid.
“So now you’re asking me about us? Not that there was really an ‘us.’” A speaker announced something about a flight to New York. Nadia said, “And that’s my cue. Goodbye, Bart. I hope you find what you’re looking for. And for what it’s worth, Rebecca was clearly into you in a way I’ve never been with any guy. One day I hope I’ll actually be in love like that.”
He said goodbye the way he was raised and kissed both of her cheeks. “I’m sure you will, Nadia. You deserve to fall in love and be happy.”
She smiled at him brightly and turned to leave. “I have to go. And congrats.”
He called behind her as she took a few steps, “Congrats? For what?”
She winked. “For finding the one you love. That doesn’t happen for most of us. Most of us just settle with the one we are with rather than be alone.”
Boom. There it was.
Love wasn’t something to fear and he owed Rebecca more than an apology. He’d been wrong.
He hadn’t expected love or wanted it, and when it had come he’d let her go instead of bravely being honest.
He didn’t want to turn into Lorenzo, bitterly accepting. He would do anything to get Rebecca back. She made his life better. He called his driver and left the terminal, jumping in when it pulled up to get him. “Take me to Rebecca’s home.”
The driver nodded and drove him away from the fast pace of the airport and into a neighborhood with trees and houses that were closer together and much smaller than his mansion.
Rebecca had been so proud of being a homeowner, and he’d been nothing but insulting.
Everyone seemed to keep their grass cut, and the houses neat. The moment he made it in front of her door, he hopped out.
The neighbors stopped working in their lawns and stared at him again. He waved this time and banged on Rebecca's door.
At first nobody answered. He thought no one was home. But then he heard voices. He called through the door, “Rebecca, please answer.”
A lock turned, and his heart sped up as he peered into his sister's brown eyes. “She’s not here, Bart.”
Aurelia had been right but for now he needed to apologize to Rebecca, not her. His pulse zipped as he asked, “Where is she?”
She shook her head at him.
No. His chest almost caved in. He needed to find Rebecca, so he reached for Aurelia’s hand and said, “I need to talk to her. You’re my sister. Please help me.”
She didn’t pull her hand back and turned her head into the house. “Destiny. I told you I’d need you in case this happened.”
Another woman, with midnight black hair, studied him from the doorway. “Ask him if he loves her and wants to apologize?”
Aurelia nodded at Destiny and then turned her attention back to him. “Do you love Rebecca? If you’re not here to apologize then you can leave.”
Love. He wasn’t himself without her now. He had to get her back. Bart met Aurelia's gaze. “I’m here to apologize.”
Her lips curved, and she asked, “You are?”
“I am.” He squeezed her hand. Aurelia needed to trust him--she understood better than anyone that their father had never apologized.
Her friend nudged Aurelia and said, “Then let him go.”
She didn’t blink but she took a deep breath before sharing, “She went to her father’s garage.”
“Thanks, Aurelia.” He released her hand. Hopefully he’d see his sister soon, but right now he needed to find Rebecca and apologize.
His sister waved at him as he made it to his car. The driver opened the back door and he said, “James’ Garage.”
