To Have and to Hold (The Wedding Belles #1)(56)

“I know.” Brooke scratched at her neck, feeling suddenly restless in her skin. “Exactly. Which is why . . .”

“Which is why you’re so confused by how much you like Seth Tyler?” Heather finished for her gently.

“Yes,” Brooke breathed out, pushing her plate away. “I thought sleeping with him would help, you know? But instead . . .”

“Instead you want more.”

“I don’t know.” Brooke put her elbows on the table, resting her fingertips to her temples. “Yes. Maybe. I said these horrible things to him, and I don’t even know why.”

“Sure you do,” Heather said with a shrug. “You tried to build walls around yourself by swiping at him.”

Brooke eyed the other woman suspiciously. “You’re pretty damn wise for someone who’s never been in love.”

“I know, right?” Heather said, taking another bite of her sandwich. “But seriously, it’s okay to make mistakes here. I’m guessing he hasn’t been handling things very well himself.”

“Definitely not,” Brooke grumbled.

She hadn’t heard from him at all since she’d stormed out that morning. Not that she was surprised. And it was no less than she deserved—she’d been a fool to think she could get Seth Tyler out of her system with one night of passion, and clearly he was grappling with the same demon.

But he’d just been so damn inaccessible. And even that would have been fine if he’d just shown her to the door, but he’d ordered her breakfast. And yes, she’d freaked out. Stupidly, admittedly.

But then he’d turned into such an ass that she couldn’t figure out what the hell he wanted. To have breakfast with her or push her away?

Really, she could kill her boss for not explaining this uncomplicated-sex thing in more detail.

And more important, what did Brooke want? Did she want more than just a one-night stand, even if it meant risking things ending badly and ruining her first big professional break? Was any man worth possibly sacrificing a career opportunity for—even one with a touch that set her skin on fire?

“Any advice?” Brooke asked hopefully.

“Well,” Heather said, licking a bit of grease off her thumb. “I’m no expert, obviously, but I’d say that this has less to do with romance nuance and everything to do with basic human interaction.”

“Translate.”

Heather gave her a sympathetic look. “I think you need to apologize. If for nothing else than for the sake of your conscience. And then you can either move on. Or move forward.”

“But which one?” Brooke begged.

“No idea.” Heather dabbed at her chin with the paper napkin. “But either way, might I suggest a sexy dress to help the apology go down easier?”





Chapter Twenty-Two





I THOUGHT WE AGREED that you had free rein to make these decisions without me,” Seth said, tapping his fingers against his leg as the car made the slow trek through Manhattan traffic.

“No, we agreed you’d back off your micromanagement, not that you’d completely check out of the wedding altogether,” Maya said. Her voice was gentle, but Seth felt the censure there, and it reminded him painfully of Brooke’s parting words a week earlier.

You’re a lot like your hotels. Polished, attractive, efficient, and cold. Cold and soulless.

He glanced across the car at his sister. “I’m sorry. I thought . . . I thought you wanted a bit more freedom without your brother breathing down your neck.”

“Sure, when it comes to the embroidery pattern on my dress. Not when we’re talking about the reception site,” she said. “I just want you to see this place. It feels right, but I want your opinion.”

Seth felt the tightness in his chest ease slightly at Maya’s words. He may not be up for Brother of the Year awards, but he couldn’t be screwing up that badly if his sister cared about what he thought.

“What does Neil think?” he asked, glancing over at her.

His eyes narrowed as she immediately turned her head to look out the window. “He’s been busy.”

Seth’s eyes narrowed even further. “He hasn’t even seen the place?”

“He said he’d meet us there. He trusts me to make the decision. He wants it to be my dream wedding.”

“Sure, but you shouldn’t be having to do this all on your own,” he said quietly.

Maya looked back, her smile genuine. “I’m not. Brooke has been . . . great.”

“She’s paid to be great.”

Maya rolled her eyes. “Such a cynic. I mean she’s been great as a friend. Neil’s been busy, and you’ve been . . . you. Brooke’s just been there.”

Now it was Seth’s turn to look out the window, avoiding Maya’s prying gaze.

“She told me that you haven’t responded to her emails,” she said.

“Nothing to respond to,” he said. “I asked her to keep me informed, and she has. Until she asks me a direct question or says something I don’t like, I have no reason to respond.”

“Sure you do. So you don’t come across as a jerk.”

He flinched, and Maya sighed before punching his shoulder in that light, pesky way only a little sister could. “What is going on with you guys?”