Page 85 of Tied Up in Riches

I smile and give him a small, nervous wave. My hand drops to my side along with a visible exhale of relief from Marcus. He runs his hands up his face, back down, then leaves one clasped over his mouth like he’s trying to hide a smile. He drops his hand, linking his fingers at his bent knees and shakes his head slightly–like he can’t believe his luck. Then he turns back to Charlotte and Emma, saying something to them I can’t hear.

A shoulder nudges me from the side. “Told ya.”

Chapter thirty-three

Marcus

The recording light turns off and the lights on the stage dim with a click. I release a breath. Fuck, that was exhilarating. “You two killed it,” I tell Emma and Charlotte, willing all my focus on them.

“We really did, didn’t we?” Emma smiles brightly as Charlotte embraces her from her seat on the couch.

Charlotte turns her head back toward me without releasing her friend. “Thank you for being here, Marcus.”

“Yeah, thank you. We’re so thankful for you.” Emma’s gaze shifts past me. I turn to see three of the people who mean the most approaching the stage. “Brooke!” Emma leaps from the couch, Charlotte tumbling off it after her. “We’re so grateful for you too!” The girls tackle her with a group hug that Brooke accepts happily. Her arms are tight around them, but her eyes meet mine as I stand to make my way over. Her smile doesn’t fade. She doesn’t seem anxious. Seeing her before the show did enough to quell my nerves. I still couldn’t help but wonder if it was an act because she wanted to make sure the show went smoothly for the girls. But seeing her now. Fuck. Maybe it’s all going to be fine.

Dean reaches for my hand, and I grip it before giving in to a bro-hug. “Proud of you.”

“Thanks, man.” I release him, distracted, my eyes still locked on Brooke.

“You’re good,” Dean tells me. “Take a fucking breath. It’s all yours.”

My gaze flicks to him for a moment. Then back to Brooke. The girls have broken apart, all four of them chatting excitedly reviewing the show. But Brooke’s eyes find mine and her focus on the group fades away. She steps out of the little circle they’d forced and the room goes silent. Maybe it doesn’t. There are a hundred people here breaking down the set, cleaning up, preparing for a new show tomorrow. I don’t hear or see any of them, though. It’s just her.

There’s only a vague recollection of the rest of them turning to watch as Brooke walks toward me. “Hi,” she says with a smile when she’s within touching distance of me.

“Hi.” I chuckle.

“You did amazing. That was amazing.” She closes the distance between us, slipping her hands under where I’ve unbuttoned my suit jacket and pulls herself to me. “You are amazing.”

I run my hands along her neck, fingers threading through her curls, thumbs locking on her jaw.

“Even though I’m rich enough to buy you a lifetime supply of the rainbow bagels you’re now obsessed with?”

She fights a grin with a nod and confirms with a single word.

“Really?”

“As long as you stay exactly the kind of man you are.”

I seal the promise with a kiss. “I’m still sorry I didn’t tell you.”

“It’s okay.”

“I wanted to, but every time, I’d stop myself. The way I spend my money . . . it felt like if I told you about those things in the same breath as revealing my wealth, that I’d be taking advantage of things that are important to me–people who are important to me. Using them for gain in this situation.”

“Like what?”

I nod toward Charlotte and Emma, not caring that they are all pretending not to watch us even though it’s clear that they are. “Investing in this company, for starters.”

“I knew there was a deeper reason when you told me they had no proof of sale. What’s the reason?”

I don’t want to betray Maci’s trust. I glance toward her and Brooke follows my gaze, confusion immediately hitting her beautiful face. “Maci?” she asks.

Maci must hear her because she looks up from the pretend conversation she’s having with the rest of them a few feet away. Her eyes shift between Brooke and me, piecing together the situation. She glances at Emma and Charlotte, then back to me. Brooke follows Maci’s line of sight. It all happens in a split second but feels like forever. Then Maci nods toward me, permitting me to tell her story.

I lock back on Brooke, brushing my thumbs across her cheek. “Avery was roofied once. Sort of attacked Maci after the drug hit her system.”

Brooke’s mouth falls open. “Oh.” She glances back at her friend, and Maci smiles, assuring her everything is okay.