The next morning, I reached my arm instinctively across the bed, fully expecting to feel Brooklyn’s naked body next to me. So, naturally, when my fingers fumbled over the sheets and not her, I sat up straight.

“Brooklyn?” I called out and glanced at the bathroom door.

It was open, which meant that she probably wasn’t in there. No response, just as I expected.

I wasn’t worried, yet. But I did have some stemming anxiety that was brewing in my gut. Had she slipped out in the night? I tried to tell myself that was probably not a likely scenario. We had enjoyed each other’s company last night. All of last night.

We had shared laughter and fun at the football banquet. It was true that I didn’t know Brooklyn that well anymore, but one thing was certain. I knew that she would never do that to me. I knew deep in my heart that she wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye, or at the very least leaving a note for me.

My eyes darted to the nightstand on her side. I breathed out a sigh of relief when I noticed that there were no folded-up pieces of paper with my name on them. I didn’t know why, but when it came to Brooklyn, my toughened exterior was weakened somewhat. I couldn’t bear to take rejection from her, not a second time.

I walked down the stairs and heard the sound of Brooklyn’s voice. So, she hadn’t left me after all. She appeared to be arguing with someone. Her voice was high pitched and upset. I didn’t want to eavesdrop on her private conversation, but at the same time, she was in my house and I felt like on some microscopic level I had a right to know what was going on.

I slowly crept down to the landing of the stairs and stayed with my back against the wall. Brooklyn had her back turned away from me.

She was walking back and forth in the kitchen. She looked adorably sexy wearing nothing but one of my t-shirts and pink panties. Of course, she was so petite that the shirt practically swallowed her and fell in a sensual way down the side of her shoulder, baring it slightly.

I took a deep breath and continued to listen in on her rampant discussion. Again, I didn’t want to invade her privacy, but she wasn’t making any efforts to remain quiet or take her heated argument outside, so I thought I had some merit to fall back on.

“I don’t know when you’re going to get it through your head, dad,” Brooklyn exclaimed. “I am not a puppet on a string that you can just control on your own free will.”

Then, there was a pause before more yelling ensued. “I am not a child that you can bark orders at, dad!”

I wished that I could reach out and wrap my arms around her. I wanted to comfort her. I wanted to go down on her and console her so that she knew that she was safe and protected. If only I could take her stress away.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Brooklyn said in a hissed voice through clenched teeth. “You know what? I have to go. Its only early morning, but now, I have a massive migraine. Thanks a lot.”

I heard her inhale sharply. I figured that was my cue to walk in and pretend like I hadn’t been standing on the other side of the wall this entire time.

Brooklyn was now leaning over the kitchen island, rubbing her temples. Her hair fell over her face so that I couldn’t read her expression. Her ass was poked out and her pink panties were just visible enough to drive me wild.

“Good morning,” I said in a soft voice so I wouldn’t startle her.

My efforts were in vain. Brooklyn leaped around, panting hard. She clutched her hand to her chest. “Oh my God.” She had that same expression on her face the day she plunged back into the lake.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” I said in an apologetic tone.

“It’s okay.” Brooklyn appeared flustered. Her hands were visibly trembling. Her cheeks were rosy pink with embarrassment. “What are the chances you—”

“Heard you on the phone?” I finished her sentence for her. We might as well get it out in the open. I hated awkward confrontation.

“Yes.” Brooklyn nibbled on her bottom lip and shifted her weight uncomfortably. She pushed her hair behind her ear. It took a few moments for her to work up the nerve to meet my gaze.

“You weren’t exactly whispering. Don’t worry about it,” I said and strolled over to the refrigerator. I tried to keep my demeanor casual. I took out a carton of orange juice and poured it into a glass. “Parents are overrated. My mother has a gambling addiction and my father isn’t any better.”

I turned to face her and smiled.

Brooklyn visibly relaxed and her shoulders sighed with relief. “It’s just…my father thinks that he can just get me to do what he wants. He doesn’t care about my happiness.”

I pondered this assumption. “He wants you to be happy. Why wouldn’t he?”

Brooklyn frowned. “He doesn’t show it.”

“We’re not all perfect, Brooklyn. It takes some of us a lifetime to change.”

She sighed. “You’re right. I shouldn’t blame him for wanting something for me that he thinks is good. I just don’t want it. I don’t want what he wants. He needs to get that.”

“Give him more time. Just don’t cave.” I leaned up against the counter. She was so beautiful that it was difficult for me to concentrate on her problem, no matter how genuine I felt inside. I had to stop myself from jumping across the room and fucking her right then on the spot.

Brooklyn groaned and cradled her head in her hands again. “You must think I’m overreacting.”

“Not at all. Don’t worry about it,” I said gently and walked over to her side. I approached her from behind and began rubbing her shoulders. “You’re tense. Try to take a deep breath and relax your muscles.”

Brooklyn sighed. “Easier said than done unfortunately.”

I kissed her neck tenderly. “I know. But try.”

“You’re helping a little,” she said with a smile.

“Liar.”

She sighed and I felt her tension going away. “You have a way with words, you know. And your hands. Oh my God…your hands.”

I blushed. It was a good thing she couldn’t see me. I was a man. Men didn’t blush, for God sakes, but I was blushing. Damn.

There was a moment of silence between us. I continued to rub her shoulders.

Brooklyn let out a scornful chuckle. “My father thinks his threats can work on me.”

“What are the demands?” I asked.

Brooklyn turned around and met my gaze. We were standing only finger length apart. I felt her body heat radiating onto me. Her stare was fierce as she looked me in the eyes.

“He’s telling me that he’ll squash my trust fund if I don’t marry someone respectable and start having children soon. I mean, who threatens someone with that kind of thing.”

I laughed. I didn’t mean to. It was my instinctual reaction. “A parent?” I shrugged. “I mean, my parents did the same thing to me.”

“They did?”

“Yeah, this was way after they gave up the restaurant and years into my service with the military.”

“What did they want you to do?”

“They wanted me to help them buy a casino. Guy was in debt and he, himself, was trying to avoid problems with the feds and the banks. I took one look at the portfolio and gave a resounding hell no. I mean, don’t get me wrong. If the investment was good, I would’ve lent them the money, but it wasn’t. They were mad at me for over a year. Wouldn’t even talk to me. Wouldn’t even let me stay at their house during my breaks. They came around though. I did end up helping them open dry cleaners. They have three employees they manage and aside from keeping the books, they barely have to work.”

“Now, see, that’s so nice of you.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

Brooklyn wilted into my embrace. “I thought I was the only one with unreasonable parent issues,” she mumbled into my shirt.

I rubbed her hair. It was as soft as silk. “No, you aren’t the only one.” I pressed a kiss onto the top of her head. I wanted to hold her forever.

“So, I’m supposed to come home and attend this fundraiser like a respectable daughter. Apparently, I’ll be entertaining some of the new bachelors who would die to date and marry me. If I don’t, then I can forget about my inheritance. They’ll give it all away. I mean, like I give a shit. They should donate it anyway.”

I was quiet for a moment. Then an idea came to me. “You should do it.”

Brooklyn met my gaze. She looked appalled, horrified even. “What?” She opened her mouth and gave me a befuddled expression.

I smiled at her. “Appease him, at least for the moment.”

Brooklyn narrowed her eyes as if she knew I was onto something, but she just hadn’t figured it out yet.

“What are you getting at?” she asked.

“Go to the fundraiser. Show up. Then when you get there, tell all those pretentious and obnoxious bachelors to go to hell. Go, but for the love of God, don’t agree to marry another prick.”

Brooklyn grinned devilishly, and her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Clever.” She never looked more gorgeous than when she was enhanced by a revelation. Brooklyn roped her arms around me.

“I’m with you, whatever you decide.”

Then, she lifted her chin and peered up at me. “But I’ll only agree to go under one condition.”

“What’s that?” I asked.

“You have to come with me. Maybe even pretend to be my new fiancé. I’m sure my dad will be delighted to see you again.”

I wasn’t the man I was eight years ago. I didn’t give a fuck what anybody thought of me anymore. I felt my lips turn up like a Cheshire cat. I would go. I hadn’t returned to that city since I left for the Navy, and I was looking forward to the reunion.

“I graciously accept.”