Proposing to Preston (The Winslow Brothers, #2)(56)

You understand that making room for someone you love isn’t giving up something, it’s getting something far better in return; it’s the very core and basis of marriage. You each give up a little of yourselves to make way for something new, to make way for love, to make it work.

Say you’re sorry.

Ask for forgiveness.

Talk.

Be honest.

Love.

Make room.

Make it work.

Opening her eyes, she was almost surprised to find herself in Gene’s office, because a profound peace had settled upon her as she’d meditated. Peace. And hope.

Gene was literally handing her the opportunity to reconnect with Preston on a silver platter. She’d go to Philadelphia to work, yes, but she’d make time to look for Preston, find him, talk to him…and maybe—just maybe—she’d figure out a way to get him back. After all…legally, at least, they still belonged to each other.

Elise looked up just as the office door opened again and Gene walked back in, followed by a stunning, dark-haired woman, whom Elise guessed to be about her age.

Elise stood up, taking the other woman’s proffered hand.

“Jax Rousseau, meet Elise Klassan. Elise, this is Jax,” said Gene.

“It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too,” said Jax, with a smile that doubled her considerable beauty. “I loved you in The Awakening. Hey! Let’s take a selfie!”

Surprised but charmed by Jax Rousseau’s exuberant request, Elise nodded. “Sure.”

Cheek to cheek, Elise smiled for Jax’s camera and watched the brunette load the picture onto Facebook before they sat down side by side on the couch. Gene pulled up a chair across from them.

“So, Elise…like I said, Jax is one of the Assistant Producers on the project, and she’s also our legal contact in Philly.” He turned to Jax. “Want to fill her in on the rest of the details, precious?”

“I’d love it!” said Jax, flashing her million megawatt smile and turning her whole body to face Elise. “High Society is my favorite movie of all time, so obvi I love The Philadelphia Story…when I bought the rights to re-make a modern version and sold them to Warner, it was under the condition that all shooting would take place on-site at my family’s estate in Pennsylvania. You know, my little way of memorializing my childhood home.”

“Wow,” said Elise, realizing that despite this woman’s apparent youth, she was a mover and shaker. “I love it…but, the rest of your family doesn’t mind? Filming on location can be…intrusive.”

Jax shrugged. “We don’t actually live there anymore. My oldest brother recently relocated to New York. My twin sister and I have a condo in Philly. My other brother lives with his fiancé, but they’re getting married at Chateau Nouvelle this winter, which is why we need to start filming right away. I promised étienne and Kate we’d be finished by October at the latest.”

“Chateau Nouvelle?”

“The name of the estate,” explained Jax. “They all have names in Haverford.”

Elise had been smiling in a friendly, encouraging sort of way, but at the mention of Haverford, she felt her breath hitch and her face fall. Her voice cracked as she repeated, “Ha-Haverford?”

Preston’s home town.

Jax nodded. “You know it?”

“No,” she whispered, looking down at her lap and trying unsuccessfully to compose herself.

She should have known Haverford. She should have known Haverford very well, but she’d left before she’d given Pres the chance to introduce her to his brothers and family home in Haverford.

“Here’s the scoop…well, wait. First, can you be ready to go east in two weeks?” asked Jax, breaking into her thoughts.

“She can and she…will?” asked Gene, raising his eyebrows and giving Elise a cajoling smile.

“Two weeks?” asked Elise weakly.

Only two weeks to figure out how to win back the love of my life after two years apart.

“Yes! Let me explain why…the daughter of our neighbors is getting married in September but they’re having this massive Main Line-style engagement party on July thirtieth. I mean, this is some serious Great Gatsby-style shit—er, uh, stuff. Anyway, I thought you could attend as my guest, Elise. It’ll be perfect for research! And then you can stay at Chateau Nouvelle until filming begins…you know, become familiar with the house and neighborhood so you can really embody Tracy when we start filming on August tenth!”

“It’s a great idea, of course, and I’d love the chance to settle into my surroundings, but won’t your friends mind my barging in on their family celebration?”

“The Winslows?” asked Jax, shaking her head. “No way. We’ve lived next door to them for decades. Friends forever. They won’t mind a bit.”

Elise. Stopped. Breathing.

The Winslows.

Good God, it couldn’t be a coincidence. Her hand fluttered up to her chest and covered her heart which was racing like crazy.

“The Winslows.”

Jax nodded. “Yes! Maybe you’ve heard of Brooks Winslow? The Olympian?”

Brooks Winslow. Preston’s brother. She’d heard of him, all right.

Elise could barely breathe now, and she stared back at Jax in shock. You’re an actress, bellowed a voice in her head. Act!