One Week Later

Detective Ginn found nothing in the apartment. No fingerprints, nothing. I was angrier than anything that someone would invade my space and personal things. I felt violated. Andrew was convinced that Ellie was the one who had sent the roses and broke into my apartment. The police couldn’t do anything since there wasn’t any proof. If she was the one, she covered her tracks very well.

I was sitting at my desk, when my phone rang from a number I didn’t recognize. I answered it and they immediately hung up. Not thinking anything of it since that happened from time to time, I went about my work, and a few moments later, the same number called again. I answered it and they hung up. I blocked the number in my phone.

As Andrew and I were getting ready to go out, my phone rang.

“Can you get that?” I asked Andrew as I was curling my hair. “Who was it?”

“I don’t know. They hung up. Probably a telemarketer.”

A sick feeling emerged again in the pit of my stomach. Once I was finished getting ready, I grabbed my phone from the dresser and looked at the number. It was different from the one earlier, but I blocked it anyway. When we arrived at the movie theater, I put my phone on silent, and when the movie was over, I pulled it from my purse and noticed I had twenty-six missed calls. All from different numbers.

“Jesus, Addison. Who called you?” Andrew asked as we climbed into the Escalade.

“I don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

“They’re all different numbers. Look.” I showed him my phone.

“What the fuck?” He looked at me. “Is this the first time this has happened? Because I get the feeling it isn’t.”

“I received some calls earlier today. When I’d answer, they’d hang up. So I just blocked the numbers and forgot about it.”

“Damn it, Addison. Why didn’t you tell me?” Andrew snapped.

“Because I didn’t need you overreacting.”

“Turn your phone off. First thing tomorrow morning, we’re getting your number changed.”

“Fine.” I rolled my eyes as I stared out the window.

“Don’t roll your eyes at me. I’m doing this for your safety, and I’m hiring you a bodyguard until this shit stops,” he spoke in a stern voice.

“Okay. Stop yelling at me. I’m stressed enough.”

He hooked his arm around me and pulled me into him.

“I’m sorry, Angel. I don’t mean to yell at you. I love you and I’m worried.”

“I love you too, but I don’t need the added stress of you taking your anger and worry out on me.”

“I know. Please forgive me. I’m going to get to the bottom of this.”

****

Another week had passed. The phone calls stopped since I got my number changed and all seemed quiet.

I awoke to light kisses all over my back. I smiled as I turned around in Andrew’s arms.

“Happy birthday, Angel.” He grinned as he kissed my lips.

“Thank you.” The corners of my mouth curved up into a smile.

“I have a surprise for you.”

“You do? What is it?”

“You’ll see. You need to pack a small bag.”

“We’re going on a trip?”

“Yeah. Just for the weekend. I already spoke to Madeline, Emma, and Jasper. We’re going to have a nice birthday dinner for you when we get back.”

“Madeline had to be pissed she’s not seeing me for my birthday.”

“She was cool with it. Plus, I told her when she comes here, I’m treating the both of you to a shopping spree on Fifth Avenue.” He smirked.

“Ah. Okay.” I laughed.

“So, come on. We need to shower, get dressed, and you need to pack.”

“What about you?”

“I already packed last night while you were at dinner with Emma.” He kissed me. “Come on, we have to get going.”

After we made love in the shower and got dressed, we climbed into the Escalade and Philip drove us to the heliport, where a helicopter was waiting for us.

“We’re flying in a helicopter?” I nervously asked.

“Yes.” Andrew smiled.

“I’ve never been in a helicopter before.”

“You’ll love it. I promise.” He kissed me.

We boarded the helicopter and I sat there, gripping Andrew’s hand so tight that both our knuckles were turning white.

“Relax, baby. It’s an experience. Take it all in.”

Easy for him to say. He’d been in a helicopter before. I stared out the window as we flew over familiar territory.

“Andrew, are you taking me to the Hamptons?”

The corners of his mouth curved up into a beautiful smile, but he didn’t utter a word. When we arrived, we climbed into the back of the black limo that was waiting for us.

“Okay, so I know we’re in the Hamptons. Why are we here and where exactly are we going?” I asked.

“We’re here to celebrate your birthday and you’ll see. Be patient.”

I swallowed hard as we pulled up to the house Andrew’s parents rented every summer.

“This is the house you stayed in.” I smiled.

“And there’s the house you stayed in.” He pointed.

If Charlie was really dead, I would have been in a full mode panic attack. But knowing what I did, I was happy to be here.

“You’re okay with this, right?” Andrew asked as he gently squeezed my hand.

“Yes. I’m perfectly okay.”

We climbed out of the limo and Andrew grabbed our bags. He slid the key into the lock and when he opened the door, the memories of our time here came flooding back.

“First things first,” he spoke as he set our bags down in the bedroom. “We’re hitting the beach and building sand castles.”

 I couldn’t help but laugh. I didn’t plan on spending my birthday building sand castles, but I could see the excitement in Andrew’s eyes and the idea sounded fun. We both took off our shoes and rolled up our pants. Andrew grabbed the buckets, shovels, and sculpting tools from the hallway closet, took hold of my hand, and we headed down to the sand.

“Remember this spot?” he asked as we stopped.

“Yep. This is where you first kissed me. Eight years old and you were already thinking about sex.” I smirked.

“Please, Addison. It was a quick peck on the cheek, and if you recall, both our mothers saw it and I got in trouble.”

I let out a light laugh. “I remember.”

“Shall we build our sand castles here?” He grinned.

“Of course.” I smiled as I sat down in the sand. “Contest?” I arched my brow.

He narrowed his eye at me. “You’re on.” He tossed me a bucket.

We started building our castles as the light wind swept over our faces. I was never happier than when I was with him.

“Hey, no looking over at mine and stealing my ideas!” he spoke.

“I don’t need to steal your ideas, Mr. London. I have my own and they’re better.” I stuck my tongue out at him as I got up and filled up one of my buckets with the ocean water.

He laughed as he shook his head and continued to build his castle. People walking along the beach stopped and stared at us as we each worked hard, trying to outdo one another.

“Looking good, Miss Belle.” Andrew grinned.

“Yours is looking pretty cool, but I’m not worried.”

I glanced over at him from time to time as he sat there with a smile on his face. We spent the entire afternoon in the sand, and finally, mine was finished.

“I’m done!” I held up my arms.

“Me too.” He smiled. “Let me see yours first.”

He walked over to the front of my castle and studied it as he placed his hand on his chin.

“I like it. You included a lot of intricate detail. Not bad.”

“What do you mean ‘not bad’?” I shoulder bumped him. “Let me see yours.”

“Suit yourself, but I think mine’s better.”

“Oh really?” I arched my brow at him.

He took hold of my hand and walked me over to the front of his castle. I stood there in shock as I stared at the words written on the front of it.

“Will you marry me, Addison?”

I gasped as I placed my hand over my heart.

“Andrew.” I looked at him with tears in my eyes.

He pulled a small blue box from his pocket and got down on one knee as the people who were on the beach gathered around us.

“I love you so much. I’ve been in love with you since we were children, sitting in this very spot building sandcastles together. You complete me, Addison, and I can’t imagine my life without you.” He flipped open the box. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes, Andrew. I will marry you!” I screamed with excitement.

Removing the three-carat princess cut white-gold ring from the box, he slipped it on my finger. Everyone clapped for us as he stood and took me in his arms.

“I told you my castle was better,” he whispered in my ear before kissing my lips.

I couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time.

“I love you so much,” I whispered to him.

“I love you too.”

As we were locked in an embrace, I heard a voice from behind.

“May I congratulate the happy couple?” he spoke.

I froze because I knew that voice. Turning around, I fell into his arms as he hugged me tight.

“I can’t believe you’re here, Charlie,” I whispered.

“You can thank your fiancé. Happy birthday, Rosebud.”