Page 61 of Hearts of Wealth

He chuckled and led me into the grand foyer, a sweeping staircase curling up from the marble floor, its hand-carved banister winding like a gnarled vine. The chandelier hung high above us, its crystals reflecting the afternoon sunlight in a prism of colors.

We walked through the mansion with him pointing out the kitchen and the living room. “This is probably the best room in the house, besides our bedroom,” he said.

“Our bedroom?”

“Is your dad going to be okay if we sleep in the same room?”

“Yes.” I nodded. “He’s not quite that old-fashioned.”

He opened the French doors to what he called the summer lounge. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased panoramic views of the ocean. I could see a pathway that led right down to the beach.

“This is breathtaking,” I said. “I can’t believe you don’t spend more time here. I’m not sure I would ever leave.”

He laughed. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” he agreed, walking over to one of the windows and gazing out at the view. “But after a while, places like these start to feel...empty. Hollow, even.”

I walked over to him and joined him at the window. I couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer luxury surrounding us.

“I’ll show you to our room upstairs,” he said.

We made our way up the beautiful staircase. The master suite was huge. The private balcony provided what was easily the prettiest view I had ever seen.

“Wow,” I murmured, walking out onto the balcony and leaning against the railing, drinking in the view before me.

Timothy came up behind me, sliding his arms around my waist. “You like it?”

“It’s incredible,” I said, feeling his warm breath on my neck as I clung to the stunning view of the water.

“Wait till you see the sunset from here,” he whispered in my ear. “It’s like the sky and water merge into one, and everything turns into a canvas of gold and purple.”

I could feel his smile against my skin. I leaned back into him, feeling his strong arms pull me closer. “I can’t wait.”

I looked down and noticed some men traipsing through the backyard. “Who’s that?” I asked.

“That’s the preparations for the party tomorrow night,” he said. “They’ll be setting up tables and chairs all night.”

I could sense a hint of tension in Timothy’s voice as he spoke. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was weighing heavily on his mind. I chalked it up to the upcoming party. I knew he wasn’t thrilled with the idea.

“Why are you throwing the party if you don’t want to?” I asked.

“It’s just one of those things I have to do,” he said. “I committed to it, and now I have to follow through.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?” I asked.

He chuckled. “No. I’m not doing a damn thing to help plan it. I hired someone. The company takes care of everything from the setup to the cleanup.”

“Ah, of course.” I nodded.

“Let’s go check on Paisley and your dad. We might have time to go to the beach. I’ve made reservations for dinner.”

When we sat down for dinner at a local restaurant, I couldn’t help but feel a flutter of nerves in my stomach. It was the first time I was meeting Timothy’s neighbors, and I wanted to make a good impression. These were not my people. They were used to seeing Timothy with women like Regina.

“There are some people I know,” Timothy said.

I panicked when the couple approached our table.

“Timothy!” the woman, a willowy blonde wearing a dress that probably cost more than my truck, exclaimed. She turned to her partner, an older, handsome man in a crisp suit. It was clear they belonged here.

“Margot, Charles,” Timothy greeted them politely. He gestured toward me and added, “This is my girlfriend, Catherine.”