Charles picked up his fork again. “Well, you’re not a total lost cause. At least all this drama seems to have knocked some sense into you.”
“I lost the love–blinders the day I decided on the divorce,” Briana said. “Now I’m strictly in business mode.”
“You mean that little gallery project of yours?” Charles sneered.
“What, you’re looking down on my gallery now?” Briana fired back.
He snorted, “It’s a glorified hobby. How much could it possibly bring in? But fine, if it keeps you busy and you’re having fun, who am I to judge?”
“You’re always talking big but never following through,” she countered. “Name one thing you’ve actually accomplished all these years.”
“And whose fault is that?” Charles shot back.
Briana sighed inwardly. ‘Some people just don’t have the hustle in them. I guess Charles is one of them.
Suddenly, Briana’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen. It was Henry. She answered. “Hey, Henry.”
“Briana, are you free right now?” Henry asked.
“I’m at home,” she replied. “What’s up?”
“Mr. Dean’s flight gets into Belaris at three this afternoon,” Henry said. “I’ll come pick you up, and we can go to the airport together.”
“Okay,” Briana agreed without hesitation.
She hurried upstairs to freshen up and put on some light makeup. First impressions mattered. She wasn’t about to meet an artist looking anything less than put together.
“What’s the rush?” Charles called after her. “Getting all dressed up just to see Henry?”
“It’s strictly business,” Briana retorted.
“Don’t hurry. And put some ointment on that knee before you go. It’s in the drawer under the living room cabinet,” Charles shouted. “You hear me?”
“Got it,” Briana called back.
Briana came downstairs to find Henry already in the living room, chatting with Charles.
“You’ve really been a huge help with Briana’s gallery,” Charles was saying. “I’m impressed.”
Henry smiled modestly. “Just doing what I can. It’s nothing, really”
Charles waved off the modesty. “Come on, don’t downplay it. Seriously, I’ve always thought you were a stand–up guy. You’re cool, you’re classy, and you’re easy to be around. Not like Shepard, who swaggers around like he owns the whole place.”
He leaned in, his tone shifting. “Sure, he’s got money and status, but if none of that ever helps Briana or the Lane family, what’s the point? And of course, Briana just had to fall for him. Seriously, what a mess.”
“Good thing that trainwreck’s almost over,” Charles continued. “Henry, I’m on your side. Just keep doing what you’re doing. I’ll put in a good word with Briana every chance I get. You two were classmates and worked together in the student council
Chapter 35
Briana walked over just in time to catch the tail end of his speech. She shot him a warning look. “Charles, enough for the
nonsense.”
“Hey, I’m just telling it like it is,” Charles protested.
Henry kept his easy smile. “Just chatting with Mr. Lane.”
“Not Mr. Lane,” Charles corrected. “Just call me Charles, like Briana does. We’re getting close sooner or later anyway.”
Briana reached over and gave his arm a quick, sharp pinch. ‘If only he knew when to shut up, she thought.
“Ow,” Charles yelped, dodging away. “Damn, you hit hard.”
Briana flashed a bright smile, her eyes crinkling like crescent moons. “Let’s go, Henry. We should head to the airport early to pick up Mr. Dean.”
“Alright,” Henry replied.
“Why do you sound so proper?” Charles called out from across the room. “Relax. You two are friends, and he’s always so easygoing with you.”
Briana seriously considered taping his mouth shut.
Once they were in the car, Briana said, “Henry, don’t mind Charles. He’s a little rough around the edges, but that’s just how he is.”
“No worries. Honestly, I like his style. Bold and straightforward,” Henry replied.
“He’s not a bad guy. It’s just… well, you’ve probably heard a few things,” Briana sighed.
“Business is all about timing, luck, and connections,” Henry replied gently. “With the economy lately, it’s tough for anyone to get ahead.”
He paused and then added, “There’s water and snacks in the door pocket. I got them for you. Help yourself if you’re hungry.”
From the moment she met him, Henry had always looked out for Briana. He never missed a detail, always making sure everything was taken care of. Totally reliable.
If she’d met Henry first, Shepard probably wouldn’t have stood a chance. Timing really was everything. Though back then, Shepard had put in the effort, too.
“Thanks,” Briana said with a smile. “I just ate, so I’m good for now.”
“Just keep them close. You know how your blood sugar gets,” he said, a note of concern in his voice.
He never forgot. He always noticed. ‘Bet Shepard’s just as thoughtful with Vivian now, Briana mused. ‘Funny how people could have so much warmth to give, but only for the right person
****
At the airport exit, Briana waited on tiptoes, a bundle of nerves and excitement.
She had no idea what Leonard was like offstage or how to make sure everything went smoothly. The fact that he was her idol only made her more anxious. By the time she spotted him, her palms were already damp.
Then, the silhouette she’d been dying to see finally appeared. Leonard was dressed in a sleek suit, sunglasses on, his skin sun–kissed and his hair streaked with silver. A small ponytail at the nape of his neck gave off.
18:26 Fri, Dec 19 M
Chapter 35
Briana walked up with her bouquet. “Hello, Mr. Dean. I’m Briana, your fan and the founder of Dreamscape Gallery. I arranged these flowers myself. Welcome to Belaris.”
Leonard accepted the bouquet with one hand and casually removed his sunglasses with the other. “So, you’re Briana?”
“That’s right,” Briana replied.
“Well, you’re just as lovely as I’d heard,” Leonard said with a warm smile. “I’ve been told about you.”
Briana blinked, momentarily taken aback. That couldn’t be right. If Henry hadn’t pulled some strings, Leonard would never have heard of me. “Mr. Dean, you know who I am?”
Leonard chuckled and gave her a couple of friendly pats on the back, clearly teasing. “You’ll find out at dinner tonight.”
Briana was still processing this when Henry smoothly took Leonard’s suitcase and said with an easy smile, “Mr. Dean, let’s get you checked in and settled. I’ll swing by later to take you to dinner.”
“Sounds good, thank you,” Leonard replied.
Briana spent the whole afternoon puzzling
er ho
Leonard knew her. It just didn’t add up.
Then that evening, she opened the door to the private dining room, and it clicked. There was Olivia Hughes, sitting right beside Leonard, chatting like they were old friends.
“Olivia?” Briana said, hesitating. “You’re back already? Did you graduate?”
Olivia spotted her, squealed, and rushed over, pulling her into a tight hug. “I did! Oh, Briana, I’ve missed you so much. It feels like forever. Come here. Give me a real kiss.”
AD
