Page 56 of Harmony
He’s right, of course. “Look at it this way, then. We’ll be using each other. You can’t give me what I ultimately want. I can accept that. But I want as much of you as I can get, so I’ll take what you’re offering.”
And maybe, I add to myself, you’ll fall in love with me during this tour. Maybe you’ll find out we’re meant to be.
But this isn’t a fairy tale. I’m not Cinderella, and Jesse isn’t Prince Charming, searching all over for the woman who fits only my shoe.
I draw in a breath, look him straight in his gorgeous brown eyes.
“Brianna, I’m not going to fall in love with you.”
“I understand, Jesse. You don’t have to beat me over the head with it.” I turn back to the sink and wash my hands.
He touches my shoulder, and I look up to see his reflection in the mirror.
His brown eyes are haunted—almost beautifully haunted.
“I don’t have the right to ask you for this,” he says, “but I need you, Brianna. I need to focus on this tour, but I also need to be able to let go. You give me that. I can’t promise you anything beyond this tour, and I have no right to ask any of this of you, but?—”
My heart cracks a little, but at least he’s being honest with me.
He’s not lying to get into my pants, like a lot of men would do.
“Whatever you need, Jesse,” I say. “I want this tour to be a success. I wish I could have fixed everything with Dragon.”
“What?” He turns me around and meets my gaze. “What happened with Dragon wasn’t your problem to fix.”
“I just… I want…”
He pulls me into an embrace. “You’re such a wonderful woman, Brianna.”
“You’re a wonderful man,” I reply.
He lets go of me. “You want to go out first?”
“Sure. But you’ve been gone longer.”
“If anyone asks, I’ll say the meal didn’t agree with me. Okay?”
I nod, touch his cheek with a sad smile, and then I leave the bathroom.
Chapter Fifteen
Jesse
If anyone wondered why I took so long in the bathroom, they don’t mention it, thank God. We arrive in Edinburgh and check in at the Waldorf Astoria.
The fucking Waldorf Astoria, courtesy of Brock.
For once, I don’t complain. Instead, I force my appreciation out. “Thank you, Brock. This is very generous of you.”
Brock’s eyebrows fly upward. Of course he’s surprised. I’m usually a dick about this stuff.
“You’re welcome,” Brock says. “Rory and I thought it best if we stay where Emerald Phoenix is staying, same as London.”
I nod. “Yes, that’s a good idea.”
And something inside me floats away, like a lump of coal that was lodged in my gut but is now gone.
Brock is Rory’s fiancé, and Donny is Callie’s fiancé. They’re in love with my sisters, and they want to help.