“So long, Vancouver.” She air-kissed her apartment and waved goodbye.
CHAPTER 46
CARY
“Thanks for helping,” Cary said as he and Vegas stood outside Tyler’s apartment. “And sorry again for the reschedule.”
Vegas shrugged. “Worth it. Especially since fucking Tommy got canned.” He nodded toward the women laughing nearby. “Look at them.” Then his expression shifted, more serious. “I owe you an apology.”
“For what?” Cary asked.
Vegas scratched his jaw. “For saying you weren’t cut out for this with Tyler. I’ve known you a long time, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy.”
Cary took a few steps back, gesturing for Vegas to follow. “Come here for a sec.”
“What’s up?”
“I’m gonna ask her to marry me,” Cary said. “And I want you to be my best man.”
Vegas turned away, wiping his eyes. “Jesus, man. Give a guy some warning the next time.”
Cary clapped him on the back. “That’s the thing, Vegas—there won’t be a next time.”
Vegas let out a shaky laugh. “Yeah. Yeah, of course.”
“So, is that a yes?”
“It’s a hell yes.”
CHAPTER 47
TYLER
Two days later and a little worse for wear, Tyler pulled up to the gate on Wellington Crescent and pressed the intercom. The Lounts had installed CCTV cameras around the property—a major selling feature, according to Cary’s realtor.
“Hi, babe,” Cary’s voice crackled through the speaker.
“We’re here,” she announced.
The gate buzzed open, and she drove down the winding driveway with theDownton Abbeytheme playing in her head. Did she deserve to live here? Probably not. Bragging Woman had been right—shewasa lucky lady.
“It’s a big driveway to shovel, isn’t it, buddy?” she said to Rory. After two days in the car, she was talking to her dog more than usual. At leastheliked her singing voice. Or so she told herself.
She parked in front of the limestone house—okay, mansion—and climbed out of the Mustang while Rory hopped down from the other side. She stretched her legs, inhaling deeply as she took in the view: a perfectly manicured lawn, hedges trimmed to precision, and elegantshrubbery she couldn’t name. Beyond that, coach houses, an outdoor pool, tennis courts, and what looked like a putting green—all backing onto the Assiniboine River.
Rich people things.
“What a dump,” she muttered as Cary strolled across the lawn toward her.
“Rory!” he shouted, and the dog took off like a shot. “How’s my boy?”
“What about me?” she teased. “Is this how it’s going to be?”
He wrapped her in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
God, you smell good.
“How am I supposed to keep this place clean, Cary?” she asked, still overwhelmed. It didn’t feel real—like she’d stepped into someone else’s life.
