Chapter Nineteen
W e waited for Henry’s arrival at Prima.
Cameron had chosen a chic restaurant not far from home, celebrated for its culinary artistry and impeccable décor. I could see why he liked it. This place offered an effortless blend of styles.
Vaguely, I recalled Chloe mentioning how hard it was to get a table. Clearly, they’d had an opening.
At the end of the room sat a stage drenched in a golden glow from thousands of fake flickering candles.
“What’s that for?” I said, taking in the mystical lighting that literally set the stage for a dreamy performance.
“It’s a surprise.” Cameron winked. “Update me on what’s been going on with you.”
“Oh, you know. Nothing special.”
Other than kissing Greyson in a deserted hotel last night. A friend of Cameron’s, no less, and someone who was more mysterious than the place we’d hung out in briefly. The grand hotel stood there, poised and eager, as if it were a living, breathing creature, desperate for the buzz of human presence to stir its silence.
Greyson had used a keycard to enter the hotel, and him guiding me into the foyer had added a mixture of mystery and danger to the evening, very much like him.
It made him addictive.
“You’re keeping something from me.” Cameron’s mischievous curiosity was endearing.
His chestnut eyes were like a high-definition lens, cutting straight through the fluff and into the heart of what mattered, effortlessly unraveling my complex emotions. His insight was anything but ordinary.
My very secrets could be laid bare without me speaking a word.
Cameron had always been a vision of haunting grace, sporting those impeccably cut bespoke suits. With this one, it seemed the fabric caressed his toned frame with an ethereal fluidity.
I brushed my fingers over the cuff.
“Ted Baker.” Cameron said, having read my mind.
My brother made an art out of scrutiny.
Although it hardly needed adjusting, I smoothed the fabric of my deep blue dress. The simple design hugged my figure perfectly, as Ralph Lauren’s creations always did.
Fearing my body language would give me away, I stilled my hands because any second, I would be asked why I was late coming home last night—after I’d driven his car to Manhattan Beach.
Cam looked at his phone. “Henry’s pulling up.”
“That’s good,” I said.
“Have a look at the menu.” He slid it over to me.
I opened the menu, admiring the choices that all looked delicious; this Michelin star restaurant offered too many choices.
We looked toward the door at the same time. There were hushed whispers and excited glances—both of us expected to see a celebrity or someone in the public eye.
But it was Henry, our tall, dashing brother, who’d entered the restaurant, oblivious to the admiring stares. His dark hair was styled with timeless elegance. His midnight blue velvet suit had pristine tailored lines, proving his refinement. The subtle sheen of his silk tie reflected restrained opulence, a nod to his aristocratic nature, and a shocking contrast to his military days, where he’d looked even more impressive as an officer.
A few other guests glanced our way, clearly impressed with the two hotties in the room. Or maybe, a few recognized the Coles.
These two exuded a sophistication that transcended even the most glamorous fashion, embodying a style as timeless as the Cole brand.
I stood and met Henry as he reached us, leaning in to hug him, his tall, firm frame grounding me for a moment before we stepped apart. He joined us at the generously sized corner table and loosened his tie, though it remained perfect.
“So, how’s my girl?” he said with affection.
“Fine.”
Neither of them needed to know that last night I’d driven to a location that was rumored to be sinister. Or that I had kissed a man I had a crush on. That forbidden kiss had stayed with me long after Greyson had dropped me home from the hotel. His stoic calmness almost making me doubt our intimate exchange.
“How’s work?” I asked, hoping to control the narrative.
“The same.” Henry waved it off. “How are you finding L.A.?”
“So far, I love it.”
Henry reached into his jacket pocket and slid a small box across the table. “Our welcome home gift.”
A kind of funny thing to say, considering we all grew up in New York, and now they lived in L.A. I opened the box and inside was a key fob with a Los Angeles heart on it.
“It’s parked at my place,” said Cameron. “A gift from both of us.”
“You got me a car!”
Henry raised a hand to apologize. “I know we’re meant to talk about these things first, but Cameron told me you like Audis.”
I leaped out of my seat and lunged at Henry, hugging him tightly for the gift, and then Cameron.
“Can I have my car back now, please?” he said, smirking.
“I was going to buy one,” I said.
“It’s blue,” said Cameron.
“I love it already,” I said.
“And next, a house!” Henry laughed. “We want to be there when you go house hunting.” He signaled to the waiter we were ready to order.
Cameron raised a finger. “But…you’re welcome to stay with me for as long as you want.”
“And you can come stay with me,” said Henry. “Always welcome.”
“Thank you, Henry.” I beamed at him. “You didn’t open the menu.”
Cameron smiled at him. “He has the same thing every time we’re here. Saffron-infused wild mushroom risotto with shaved black truffles.”
“And a hint of lemon,” said Henry, licking his lips.
“Sounds delicious,” I agreed. “I’ll have that, too.”
We offered up our choices to the waiter who seemed amused that we siblings were going to eat the exact same thing.
Cameron laughed. “I don’t know whether to be mortified or flattered that we’ve achieved this level of culinary groupthink.”
“Silly,” I said, grateful when the tall glass of champagne was set in front of me.
I sipped it, enjoying the refreshing taste, bubbles bitter and sweet, while bracing myself against the deluge of questions they might unleash, each one poised to unearth truths I didn’t want to discuss.
“I hear you’re driving again?” Henry mocked me with a fearful expression.
Cameron flinched and then laughed at the fact I’d borrowed his
precious Ghost.
I let out an exaggerated sigh but grinned at them both.
“And you have a job?” Henry swapped a wary glance with Cameron.
That proved they’d chatted about my career choice.
“I’m more interested in how things are with you,” I said. “How’s Lottie?”
“Wonderful. I’m one lucky guy.”
“Yes, you are,” agreed Cameron. “Lottie is one of a kind.”
That pleased Henry. “Wills, I can’t believe you moved here,” he said. “Our New York obsessed sister.”
“Yeah, I’m finally here! L.A., baby! Palm trees. Sunshine. The vibe… And best of all, time with my brothers!”
We raised our glasses to that and then sipped our drinks with delight.
Henry shook his head. “Welcome to the land where driving five miles takes an hour.”
“I’ve discovered that,” I said.
“So, anywhere we can take you?” asked Cameron. “Hollywood Bowl? Orange County Fair?”
I thought on it. “Maybe a hike?”
Henry gave a nod of approval. “Have you mapped out your entire L.A. experience
yet? We know how much you love to plan.”
“I like the vibe,” I admitted. “Everyone goes with the flow.”
“With a side of existential crisis.” Cameron made it a joke, but we all knew there was some truth to this.
I’d come here to escape my old life, running away from heartache. “New York was exciting, but…I don’t know. It felt rushed. Here, with you, it feels right.”
“It does,” said Henry, glancing at Cameron. “We’re super proud of you.”
Swallowing hard, I sensed what would come next.
Cameron gave a nod. “Your talent would be valuable to any company.”
Henry smiled at me. “You’re a Brown grad, that’s impressive to anyone.”
“Why do I sense a but ?” I forced a smile as if that might keep their opinions at bay.
“I need you to keep an open mind,” said Cameron.
“About?”
He shared a knowing glance with Henry. “I want to introduce you to someone at CNN.”
I lifted my drink and took several sips. “Is this an ambush?”
Cameron shook his head. “This is how we show we care.”
I tried to deal with the sense of futility I was feeling, this imminent loss of control. Even if they weren’t pushing me into the business, it felt stifling.
Cameron dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “You’re a low-level journalist at Pulse360. We can do better.”
“That’s lovely of you, but I’m not leaving my job,” I said.
Cameron flinched as though he didn’t know I was still working there. As though he’d not been spying on me. Or talking with Greyson. Or Henry, and who knows who else.
It was a matter of who broke first, who admitted they knew the other one was onto them.
The waiter set down our entrees, the aroma almost taking my mind off the unpalatable conversation.
When the waiter withdrew, Cameron continued with a pained expression—clearly this wasn’t easy for him either. “What are you doing tomorrow?” he asked.
I had a sinking feeling. “Did you arrange an interview?”
Henry drew in a sharp breath. “Sorry, Wills, you can’t return to Pulse360.”
“Why?”
“It’s complicated,” said Cameron.
“You can’t just say something like that without an explanation.”
“Actually, I can,” he said.
“I have a right to know why.” I set my fork down, losing my appetite. “When I told you about being headhunted, you asked if I’d met Jewel Hadley. Is she the problem?”
Henry hushed me.
I glanced around, trying to suss out why her name would cause concern. “I have my own desk,” I said, hating their sabotage. “I’m making friends.”
“We understand that what we’re asking is difficult,” said Cameron.
“I’ve been there less than a week,” I said, riled. “Imagine how this will look.”
“They’ll hardly notice,” said Henry.
“Yes, they will.” I sat upright. “I had a meeting with Julia Sterling. She wants to work on something with me.” It was kind of true.
And if I also managed to deliver these two up on an interview platter…
Just the thought made my shoulders slump. Cameron and Henry would never go for it—even if her name impressed them.
“She seems…” Cameron thought on it. “Intense.”
“Why, because she’s made it in a man’s world?” I snapped.
“Here we go,” Henry chided.
“In fact,” I added, with a gentle smile, “she’s super impressed with you both. She really is.”
Cameron flinched. “Did she ask you to arrange an interview with one of us?”
God, I hated it when he preemptively knew what came next.
Henry laughed, shaking his head. “Nooooo!”
“Or perhaps, a fuck no , might suffice.” Cameron lifted his champagne glass and toasted his suggestion.
Damn, I’ve blown it. I should have softened them up first.
“Guys, it would seriously help me out.” I pulled a cute face.
They swapped a smirk and then gave a condescending glare that told me no to the interview, and no to me ever going back to Pulse360.
Seriously, this was a nightmare I’d launched on myself.
Henry set his knife and fork down. “Clearly they saw your remarkable potential.”
“They headhunted her from New York,” said Cameron.
It was the way Henry grimaced that made me even more uncomfortable. He, too, found this suspicious. That me, an unknown, would spike the interest of a news magnate all the way across America.
“Because I’m a Cole?” I asked the hard question.
Cameron reached over and held my hand. “You can’t keep pretending you’re not part of one of the world’s most illustrious dynasties.”
I mean, we were rich and famous for our teas, but could it be considered a dynasty? I had once been told that we were on the same level as the Rothschilds, the Rockefellers, and others of their stature—people whose names were synonymous with immense power and wealth.
“This is your reality, and there’s no escaping it,” said Henry lifting his glass and finishing off his champagne. “Trust me, I joined the Navy to try. Literally got stationed in enemy territory to avoid my destiny. Does not work. You are what you are.”
“Who you are,” corrected Cameron.
“Eat your food,” said Henry, pointing at Cameron’s plate.
It really was entertaining to see these two go at it like we were all teenagers again, sitting at the dining room table and arguing about who was right.
“If you want me to leave my job,” I said, “you’re going to have to give me a really good reason.”
“Willow,” Cameron said, using my true name to make an impression. “You’re gonna have to trust us.”
“Not good enough,” I said.
Henry raised his hands. “This one’s on you, brother.”
“You’re not helping,” snapped Cameron.
“Neither are you,” Henry snapped back. “She’s a big girl. She can hear it.”
I folded my arms across my chest. Read that , I thought.
Cameron lowered his voice. “Jewel Hadley has shady connections.”
“I hardly see her,” I said.
“Let’s not talk about it now,” Henry said quietly.
But they’d already spiked my interest, my journalistic nose had me wanting to sniff around to find out what Jewel had done to have her labeled as “nefarious.” She was certainly in the public eye, as the daughter of a news mogul, and I was already embedded in her company.
Could she be the story that Julia had alluded to?
“What’s going on in that noggin of yours?” asked Henry. “You have that look.”
“Look?”
“The one that says, ‘I will not be stopped.’”
We all laughed at that, and Cameron gave a nod of agreement to Henry’s accusation of my stubbornness.
The saffron-infused wild mushrooms were so flavorful, I could see why Henry had it every time he came here.
“How’s Greyson?” asked Cameron.
I almost choked on my food and had to reach for my glass to wash it down, giving away my surprised reaction.
“Nothing happened,” I said, preemptively.
My brother really was getting under my skin. “Really?”
Henry’s lips twitched with disapproval. “Grantchester?”
Wait. What?
Gawking, I said, “Grantchester?”
“Yes.” Cameron watched me carefully. “Greyson Grantchester.”
“As in the architect for Cole Tower?” I said in awe.
Cameron’s brows furrowed. “You didn’t realize?”
That hotel, the one I’d walked around last night, was his. He was one of the most eminent architects in the entire world, renowned for his groundbreaking skyscrapers and innovative architecture, a modern-day miracle worker of creativity and vision. I’d not looked the guy’s face up online as I’d assumed Grantchester was a much older man.
Not a hot young thing…
I had literally flirted with Greyson while standing inside his design last night, and I’d had no clue. How utterly embarrassing. It felt like I’d been standing next to Picasso without recognizing him.
Yet Greyson’s lack of ego had kept him quiet about it, and that, more than anything, delighted me.
“I visited his hotel,” I said proudly. “Last night. Only he didn’t tell me he was the architect.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” said Cameron.
“I forgot,” I lied.
How mortifying. Greyson had designed our building—the tallest skyscraper in L.A. The one you could see from Pulse360.
“He won the Pritzker at twenty-five,” said Henry. “Right?”
The equivalent of the Nobel Prize, I mused. Greyson was not only a visionary but a legend.
As I watched their calm reaction, I sensed they’d already known I’d entered the hotel with him. “Are you having me followed?”
“You tried to shake off your security detail.” Cameron frowned as though to say, “Yeah, good luck with that.”
I swallowed hard, nervous he might also know I drove to Huntington Beach, and then parked his Rolls outside a club with the intention of unleashing an investigation.
Right before Greyson had highjacked the car and drove me away like I was in danger.
Glancing over at Henry, I tried to read his expression.
“Are you seeing Greyson?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Just making new friends.” Because that kiss meant nothing. Even if he was endearing and charming and handsome and it was hard not to think about him.
Henry looked thoughtful, and then said, “Grantchester is actually a bachelor to watch.”
“Well, he was,” mumbled Cameron.
“What does that mean?” I asked.
“Life has hit him hard lately.” Cameron brushed off any further discussion. “More champagne?”
The bottle was empty.
At this rate we’d all need a driver to take us home.
“Greyson told me about the tragedy at his place,” I said tentatively.
Cameron narrowed his gaze. “Is this about his girlfriend?”
“Ex. Apparently, she died in his pool,” I whispered.
Cameron leaned toward me. “Did he tell you that?”
“Yes.”
“But not that he was an architect?” Cameron gave me a look of confusion. “Or that the hotel he showed you last night was his design?” He glanced at my brother.
Silence found us as we finished off our meal.
“Greyson is innocent.” Cameron started to say something else and then stopped himself.
“You know this for sure?” I leaned in, eager to hear more—needing to know the man I had a crush on wasn’t a man to avoid.
“Yes.” Cameron gave an assertive nod. “I know him well. He won’t even hurt a spider. Literally, invented a contraption to save insects and release them into the garden.”
“How do you know that?” I pushed.
“We talked about it.”
“He’s a talented guy,” said Henry. “I like him. Sad about his girlfriend, though. What happened?” He looked nervous. “They’re not thinking it’s suspicious, right?”
“No,” I said, defending him even though I didn’t really know him.
Cameron stared at me. “Did Greyson talk about anything else?”
“He mentioned how much he cared about Amelia,” I said.
“Amelia was the girlfriend?” asked Henry.
“What else did he say about her?” Cameron caressed his lip the way he always did when he was thinking.
Henry laughed. “Maybe he didn’t get a word in.”
I playfully slapped his arm.
We paused our discussion briefly when the waiter returned to take away our plates.
We were handed dessert menus and quickly chose what sounded good. I went with the same order as them—again.
And I was grateful for the well-timed interruption.
“Look,” I said with confidence, “if you don’t want me returning to Pulse360, you’re going to have to give me a really good explanation.”
“Why don’t we focus on your personal life,” said Cameron. “We need to extract Hugo.”
“He’s still there?” Henry looked disturbed. “You gotta tell him to fuck off, Wills.”
“He’s looking for another place.”
“We have to fly to New York.” Henry didn’t look like he was joking. “Tonight.”
I leaned over and gripped his sleeve. “He has nowhere else to go. He’s a student and doesn’t have any money.”
“Have you lost your mind?” Henry glared at me. “After what he did to you.”
“You told him?” I glared at Cameron.
“Of course I told him,” Cam admitted. “We ride at dawn.”
“Can I handle this, please?” I asked. “Because if you go there, you’ll embarrass me.”
“Willow!” Henry looked upset. “This isn’t right.”
“Do you prefer who you are when you’re not with him?” asked Cameron flatly.
I blinked at him, stunned with his insight. “Yes.”
“Then there’s the answer you need,” said Cameron. “Now you’ve eliminated all doubt that you did the right thing.”
“I know that I did…” I tried to put my pain into words.
“It’s not your fault,” Cameron added kindly. “Charisma bypasses your natural defenses.”
“That’s deep,” said Henry.
There was an undeniable truth to it. Hugo had swept me off my feet with his handsome looks, irresistible charm and boyish playfulness, so tall and handsome and popular with everyone.
Hugo was a nightmare I didn’t know I’d been trapped in.
“My life’s a mess,” I whispered.
Cameron squeezed my hand with affection.
At the far end of the restaurant, a stir of movement caught my attention—a female string quartet gracefully made their way onto the intimate stage, their instruments cradled with care. They arranged themselves in a circle, facing one another, their poised silence as captivating as the anticipation they inspired.
The room hushed.
The quartet was encircled by the warm, flickering glow of candlelight, casting an almost otherworldly aura around them. The atmosphere brimmed with drama, though not a single note had been played yet.
When the lights dimmed, ethereal music flowed through the space, the instruments resonating with such exquisite beauty that it seemed to suspend time.
Everyone here seemed utterly transfixed, momentarily forgetting our surroundings as the melody possessed the space, each note hauntingly vibrating in the cool air of Prima. Strings hummed softly, their vibrations reaching me like a touch, each tremor sending a shiver across the skin, while the deeper chords pulsed beneath the surface. Every note lingered like a breath caught in the throat, both heavy and light, folding into one another until the sound was like an invisible presence, wrapping around me, drawing me deeper into its shimmering world.
A thought captured my imagination. It would be lovely to come here with Greyson; his love of form and his ability to honor mood meant he would appreciate this.
Faux candles flickered, their soft glow casting a mystical light like I’d never seen before. They seemed to sway in rhythm with the music, as if the flames were conspiring with the notes themselves, dancing together in some unspoken harmony.
The poignancy of this moment—being here with my brothers—brought tears to my eyes, a visceral reaction to something profoundly moving and impossibly beautiful.
They knew what I needed—time with them, and this… Forming new memoires with those I trusted above all else.
Sitting here with them, in a strange town having lost everything, I still couldn’t seem to shake the pain of all that New York had done to me.
“In case you hadn’t guessed already,” said Cameron, “this is about bringing the light back in.”
I pressed a trembling hand to my mouth, struggling to contain the rush of emotions threatening to spill out of me. Fear and confusion churned within me, a silent storm sparked by the uncertainty of my future, my life, and the vast, unknown path stretching ahead.
“You’re here now,” said Henry softly. “We’ve got you.”