Page 117 of Exposed

“Like in Cinderella.”

“Never heard of it.”

How had he never heard of Cinderella? “You didn’t watch Disney movies when you were little?”

“No, I didn’t have a TV growing up.”

How was that even possible? Surely he at least knew someone with a TV.

He shook his head. “I mean, because I was abroad. TVs existed when I was a youth.”

I was pretty sure they had televisions overseas. But I didn’t get a chance to ask him any more questions because his phone rang.

“Nigel, what is it now?” he said with a sigh. “Damn it. No, it has to be bigger than that. I need it to be to scale. And yes, I told Claude he could go right up.” He looked at me and silently mouthed, “My animal guy.”

Well, of course.

“No, Nigel. Absolutely not. I said to cancel the human cages.”

What?

Chapter 35

Friday

Matt

My eyes were glued to Brooklyn as she walked out of the hotel. She looked beautiful. Tanner had somehow found her a dress that looked like the one she’d worn to homecoming. And as bad as homecoming had gone…Brooklyn had looked amazing that night. And she looked even more amazing now.

I’d been nervous all night. But seeing her put my mind at ease. She’d say yes to my proposal. She had to say yes.

“Our girl is back,” Justin said.

I nodded. Justin refused to be paid for tonight. He insisted he just wanted to join in on the fun instead. I would have invited him either way. Brooklyn would want him here for this. I wanted all our friends here for this.

Justin patted my back and climbed into the limo.

I’d proposed to Brooklyn the first time in my bedroom back home. When she’d stumbled upon the ring in my nightstand. It wasn’t grand. It was spur of the moment. And I was pretty sure she’d thought I was joking.

This time I’d do better. The ring was in my jacket pocket. I felt it pressing against my chest. I’d feel a hell of a lot lighter as soon as my ring was back on her finger.

Brooklyn stopped in front of me.

I just stared down at her. I still couldn’t believe she was here.

“Say something, Matt. Do you hate it?”

“What? No. You look amazing. I was just thinking about how damn lucky I am.”

She smiled up at me. “You look amazing too. I like this.” She straightened my bowtie. I knew it was straight. Rob had just adjusted it in the limo. And I was glad that she just wanted an excuse to touch me. I had a hard time keeping my hands to myself around her too.

“I have something for you.” I grabbed her wrist to put her corsage on.

“This is so corny and I’m absolutely obsessed.”

I leaned down and kissed her. “Oh, I’m doing all of it. When we get there we’re doing pictures. The funny posed ones where I’m holding you from behind.”

Brooklyn laughed. “Do you think you’ll get lucky tonight too? Isn’t that a prom thing?”

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