by E. L. Todd
“Good advice.”
Martha opened the door. “Come in.”
He and Cole came into the kitchen.
Martha tightened her robe around her. “What’s this about?”
“Can you tell me where Alexandra’s sister lives?”
Martha eyed him suspiciously. “Why?”
“Alexandra told me she was close with her sister.”
She nodded. “Those two are connected by the hip. But I don’t understand why that matters.”
“I’m hoping if I talk to her, she could talk to Alexandra for me.”
Martha was quiet for a long time. “That’s a long shot.”
“I’m desperate,” he said.
She gave him a sympathetic look. “Why don’t you just call her?”
“It has to be in person,” he said. “When she sees my sincerity, she’ll know I’m telling the truth.”
“I don’t know…”
“Martha, please.”
“Are you going to see Alex?”
“No,” he said quickly. “I know she doesn’t want to see me.”
“I know Abby is going to be angry at me.”
“Please,” Blaise begged.
Martha sighed then scribbled the address on the paper. “Good luck, kid.”
He took the paper. “Thank you.”
“I hope it goes well.”
Blaise looked at her. “Alexandra should be with me.”
“I know.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You know? Why didn’t you tell her?”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t make decisions for her. She has to figure it out on her own.”
“But why didn’t you tell her you believe me?”
“I did,” she said simply.
He sighed. “Then you should have told her not to be with Paul.”
“Honey, listen to me. I know you’re going through a hard time right now. But I don’t tell my niece what to do. If she wants to be with you, she’ll pick you.”
“So you prefer me over Paul?” Blaise asked.
“No,” she said. “I love Paul too. You’re both wonderful. I understand why she’s having a difficult time making up her mind.”
“Then why do you think she should be with me?”
Martha was quiet for a long time. “I don’t know. I can’t explain it. But I know it’s true. She loves you in a different way than Paul. There’s something special between you.”
He hugged her. “Thank you.”
She patted his back. “Don’t thank me. They are just words. And words don’t mean much.”
“They do to me.” He pulled away and headed to the door.
“We have to get going,” Cole said. “Thank you.”
“We?” Blaise asked.
“I’m coming with you.”
“Now I can’t get rid of you,” Blaise said.
“Nope,” Cole said. “We’re going to get her back, Brother. I know it.”
Blaise stared at him. “Thank you for helping me.”
He nodded. “You would do the same for me.”
Chapter Eleven
After they got off the plane, Blaise looked up the directions on his phone. “She lives in the center of Manhattan.”
Cole looked at the skyscrapers as they drove by. “This place is fucking huge. Now we know who’s buying all our crops.”
Blaise nodded. “Seven million people live in the city.”
“Damn…”
“So I probably won’t run into Alexandra.”
“That’s probably for the best,” Cole said gently.
The taxi pulled over when it reached the apartment complex.
Blaise paid the driver then they got out. “I hope she’s home.”
They walked into the building then took the elevator to the correct floor. Blaise felt his heart accelerate as they approached her door. The blood was pounding in his ears. He had to get his sister to help him. She was his last option.
He knocked on the door and listened to the sound of moving feet.
She opened it. “Yeah?” She wore leggings and a baggy sweater. Her hair was in a loose braid and hung over one shoulder.
Blaise automatically saw the similarities between them. She had the same facial structure as Alexandra and the same build. Her hair was slightly darker and her skin was a little fairer. And her attitude was completely different. “Hi, I’m Blaise. I’m sorry for barging in on your life like this, but I was hoping I could talk to you.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Blaise?”
“Alexandra’s boyfriend—ex-boyfriend.” He felt nauseous just saying it.
Her mouth gaped open. “From Georgia?”
“Can we come in?”
“And who the hell is that?” She pointed at Cole.
“Sorry,” Blaise said. “This is my brother, Cole.”
Cole nodded.
Abby didn’t look pleased.
“Please,” Blaise said. “I have a few things I need to say.”
“I don’t like you,” she blurted.
“I came all the way out here to see you. Just give me five minutes.”
Abby sighed. “Only because I’m not completely rude.” She stepped aside so they could enter. “And I have a gun, so don’t try anything.”
Blaise didn’t know how to respond to that.
Abby moved to her living room. “What?”
Blaise sat across from her. “I didn’t cheat on Alexandra. I swear on anything and everything I didn’t.”
Abby crossed her legs. “She seems to think you did.”
“Well, it looked like I did. I don’t blame her for thinking it. But I really did nothing.”
“I’m sure…”
He sighed. “I love your sister with my whole heart. I’d do anything to be with her again. And I can’t just give up on her.”
“She’s with Paul now. You should just let it go.”
“I would let it go if she chose him after she knew the truth. She has to know that I didn’t cheat on her. Everything that happened between was real. There were no lies, no foul play. I’m the right man for her. Please help me.”
“Even if I wanted to help you, how could I?”
“Alexandra told me you were really close.”
“We are sisters,” she said sarcastically.
“Which means she trusts your judgment. If you believe me, I know she’ll believe me too.”
“But you have no proof for me.”
Blaise sighed. “I know. Alexandra told me that a million times. But that isn’t fair. Just because I can’t prove it doesn’t make it unreal.”
Cole cleared his throat. “My brother wouldn’t be going through all this trouble, fighting for her so hard if he did cheat on her. It doesn’t make any sense. If he didn’t care for her enough to cheat on her, then he wouldn’t care enough to chase her. Even though I haven’t seen any proof, I know he isn’t lying.”
“Because he’s your brother.” She rolled her eyes.
“We aren’t close,” Blaise said. “In fact, I hate him. Well, I did…”
Abby raised an eyebrow.
“Please help me,” Blaise begged.
She sighed. “She’s happy with Paul. Even if I did help, it wouldn’t change anything. And I really like him. He’s going to propose. He planned on it before she met you.”
Blaise felt the pain shoot through his heart. “Then you have to help me before she makes a mistake.”
Abby gave him a sympathetic look. “You seem like a nice guy…”
He gripped his skull. “You love her, right?”
“Obviously.”
“And you want what’s best for her?”
“Where is this going?”
“I’m what’s best for her. She loves me, not Paul. She deserves to know the truth. Everyone believes my story except for her.”
“Maybe she doesn’t want to believe you,” Abby said.
“What does that mean?”
She shrugged. “M
aybe she couldn’t choose between you, so she used the first flaw she could find to make her decision.”
“No,” Blaise said firmly. “If she knew the truth, she’d pick me. There isn’t a doubt in my mind.”
Abby played with her braid. “What do you want me to do?”
“Talk to her. Tell her you believe me and she should reconsider her decision.”
Abby sighed. “I don’t know if I feel comfortable interfering with her relationship, her happiness.”
“Believe me, she’d be a lot happier with me.”
“She is having a hard time getting over you. I know she feels something—special—for you.”
“Then please help me,” Blaise said. “Please.”
Abby shook her head. “I don’t think there’s anything I can say to change her mind.”
Blaise felt his heart fall.
“But what if you talked to her yourself?”
He stared into her face. “What do you mean?”
“I can invite her over and you can talk it out.”
He rubbed his hands together. “I don’t have anything new to say. I was hoping you could back me up.”
“I think me arranging the meeting is back up enough,” Abby said simply. “She knows I wouldn’t do that unless I thought it was important.”
“If you tell her I’m here, she won’t come.”
“I know,” Abby said. “Which is why I won’t tell her.”
Chapter Twelve
Paul didn’t come home that night. Alexandra stayed in the living room so she would hear him when he returned, but he never did. She didn’t bother calling him because he left his cell phone in the bedroom. When she realized she ruined their relationship, her heart stung painfully. The only man who ever really loved her was gone. And it was all her fault.
Early in the morning, he finally returned. The front door opened quietly and he stepped inside. He had bags under his eyes like he hadn’t slept. His hair was ruffled like he spent the night on a stranger’s couch. When he spotted her, he froze.
Alexandra stared at him but didn’t speak. Neither did he. She clenched her hands together and remained quiet.
Paul took a deep breath then approached her. He kneeled before her and grabbed her hands. “I’m sorry for the way I acted last night.”
She shook her head. “Don’t.”
He stared at her. “What?”
“It was my fault. I completely understand why you were upset.”
“That isn’t why I’m apologizing,” he said simply. “I am still upset. But I had no right to talk to you like that. I was angry and it just came out. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” She blinked back her tears. “I deserved it.”
“You don’t deserve to ever be disrespected like that, not even by me.”
She squeezed his hands. “I’m so sorry.”
He sighed. “Baby, I’ll wait as long as you want to wait. But please don’t rush it. That just causes me more pain. When you’re ready, you’ll know. Until then, don’t worry about it.”
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me…”
He averted his gaze and stared at their joined hands.
“Paul?”
“Hmm?”
“I love you so much.”
He kissed her hand. “I love you too.”
“I wish I’d never left. I wish I never met Blaise. I wish we were married right now.”
Paul stared at her. “I know.”
“I hate hurting you like this. It isn’t fair.”
He cupped her face and kissed her gently. “It’s okay. Our paths have led us to this situation. Instead of being upset about our standpoint, we’ll work through it and change it. It won’t always be this way. I promise you.”
“I just hate seeing the disappointment on your face.”
“That will change too.”
“How can you love me?” she said seriously. “I’m childish, immature, selfish—just a horrible person.” She shook her head.
“None of that is true,” he said firmly. “You’re one of the most amazing women I know. You’re smart, strong, and selfless. You fell in love with someone. That was your only crime. And it’s natural to want to be with someone else when you’ve only been with one person.”
“That’s isn’t why, Paul.”
“You still did nothing wrong. You didn’t have all the information at that time.”
“But it’s still wrong that I loved someone else so soon.”
“I—I don’t have a justification for that…”
“But I do love you—so much.”
He kissed her forehead. “I know.”
She sighed deeply.
“I’m sorry I scared you.”
“I thought you were breaking up with me.”
He stared into her face. “How did that make you feel?”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“Were you sad?”
“Of course I was. I thought I lost the most wonderful man in the world.”
He smiled. “You could never lose me. You’re lucky I love you so much.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tightly. “I’m so glad you’re home.”
He rubbed her back gently.
“Where were you?”
Paul was quiet for a long time. “At a friend’s.”
She pulled away. “You probably need to get ready for work.”
He sighed. “I do.”
“I’ll make it up to you tonight.”
“I hope it will be in an unsexual way.”
Alexandra averted her gaze.
Paul showered and got ready for the day. She made breakfast and organized his stuff so he could get to work on time.
“Have a good day,” she said. “I put a sandwich in your briefcase.”
“Thank you.” He hugged her tightly then kissed her forehead. “I’ll see you when I get home.”
“Okay.”
He left the apartment, making Alexandra feel as horrible as she did when he came home. Her behavior was unacceptable. Not only did she reject Paul once, but twice. She could only imagine how much that hurt him She was starting to hate Blaise and resent him. If he hadn’t come into her life and destroyed everything, she’d be happy right now.
Her phone rang so she grabbed it. It was Abby. “Yeah?”
“You sound like me,” Abby said. “What’s your deal?”
“Nothing. What’s up?”
“I can tell something is wrong. Come over and we’ll talk about it. I’ll make margaritas.”
“It’s nine in the morning.”
“So? Are you coming over or what?”
“I’ll be there soon.”
“Good girl.” She hung up.
Alexandra made herself look somewhat presentable before she left for her sister’s apartment. Normally, she would take a cab, but she felt like walking today. The guilt from the night before weighed heavily on her. She was officially the worst girlfriend in the world.
When she arrived at the apartment, she knocked gently.
“Hey,” Abby said. “Why do you look like you got hit by a bus?”
“Paul and I had a fight.”
“Oh,” Abby said. “I’m sorry.”
“Yeah…”
“Uh, come in.” She opened the door wider.
Alexandra put her purse on the table then walked inside. When she saw Blaise on the couch, she thought she was imagining it. She closed her eyes then reopened them. He was still there. “Uh…I think I need to sit down.”
Blaise stood up. “I’m real.” He read her mind like he always did.
“Wait. What?” She looked at Abby.
Abby crossed her arms over her chest and had a guilty look on her face. It was the same look she had when she stole Alexandra’s Barbie lunch pale. “Blaise came to see me and asked for my help.”
Alexandra stared at her. “Now you’re on his side?”
“I’m not on anyone’s side. I just thought
you should talk to him. Cole and I will give you a moment.”
“Cole?” Alexandra looked at him standing near the kitchen.
Abby and Cole disappeared down the hallway.
Alexandra stood rooted to the spot.
Blaise stared at her but said nothing. He wore a green shirt with jeans. His hair was dark and curly at the ends. His eyes were brighter than she’d ever seen them. Seeing him made her feel things she shouldn’t.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “You shouldn’t be here…”
“I just wanted to talk to you.”
“How dare you bother my family.”
“Well, I’m desperate.”
Alexandra opened her eyes and looked away.
“Sit down,” he said gently.
“No.” She took a deep breath and tried to stop the tears from falling. “I love Paul but I keep hurting him because of you. I just want to move on and forget about you. Paul deserves that. But if you keep showing up everywhere, it’s going to be impossible. If you love me, which I know you don’t, you’ll let me go, let me be happy.”
Blaise sighed. “I’m not trying to hurt you.”
“That’s all you’ve ever done! From the day we met, it was lies and trickery. You’ve shaken my belief in people, made me realize that not everyone is as good as they seem. I can’t believe this city girl had to go to a small town to figure that out.”
“I never lied to you—not once.”
She covered her face. “I can’t have this conversation again. I can’t.”
Blaise looked at her. “I can’t let you believe that I cheated on you because I didn’t. I know in my heart you should be with me. And I know you know it too. I understand Paul is the safe choice. He loves you and took you away from me. But he isn’t the right one for you. He cheated on you and he kissed someone else. I’ve never been with anyone. Even now, I’m not with anyone. You’re the only one for me.”
“All you have are words.”
He stepped toward her and grabbed her hand. He placed it over his heart. “I have this. You can’t deny what you feel for me. And I certainly can’t deny what I feel for you.”
“Emotions have nothing to do with this. I don’t love you, Blaise.”
“That’s bullshit,” he said simply. “You can lie to me, but you can’t lie to yourself.”