Page 92 of The Beast

Chapter Twenty-Seven

David helps me unpack the last of the new inventory—prints of LaBete’s most popular works, and originals from curated artists around the country who paint in the same style.

Chris is off today, and I’d been looking forward to some alone time, but this is better. After all the weirdness stemming from our still-technically lingering engagement, it sometimes seems like our friendship has gotten lost in the shuffle.

We both know our arranged marriage isn’t happening now. And not just because Gabe’s back, but also because my father is soon to be a monkey who doesn’t live on my back. And that, frankly, makes me giddy.

Even now, Leo and Ruby and Gabe and Travis are working with investigators to find the evidence to nail my father to the wall.

I’ve known the Grimms most of my life, and when they set their mind to something, it happens.

How lucky for me they’re looking to destroy my dad.

And the bonus cherry on that yummy sundae? The Monarch will be mine even without the farce of marrying David. Because the corporate documents make clear that once Daddy Dearest is arrested for what he did to Gabe, then Monarch goes to me, even before my trust officially kicks in.

“Where does this one belong?” David asks, holding up a painting in greens and browns and reds that evokes wine and bonfires and cool Autumn nights.

“The east wall in the main showroom,” I say. It’ll look amazing with the afternoon light from the skylight.”

“You’ve said that about three different paintings now.”

“And they’ll all look amazing.”

David laughs, the sound loosening something in my chest. We’ve been dancing around each other ever since Gabriel came back and everything went sideways. Polite. Careful. Neither of us willing to address the giant neon elephant in the room.

But today feels different. Today feels like maybe we can finally get it all out there.

“Actually,” I say, setting down the painting I’m holding. “Can we talk first?”

Something wary flickers across his face as he puts the piece down. “That sounds ominous.”

“No, not really. I just think we need to talk about that night.”

The wariness deepens, but he nods, then pulls out a chair and sits down. “Okay,” he says. Go for it.” And, dammit, I can’t read his face at all.

I sink onto the small settee that is this room’s only place to sit. After a moment, David sits beside me, both of us slightly sideways so that we’re more or less face to face.

“I just wanted to say that I’m sorry for—well, for that night. And when I bolted. You know that wasn’t about you, right? I got Leo’s text about Gabe, and I didn’t even think. I just ran. And then I was a total ass and never explained, or apologized, or anything.”

“Bella.” His voice is gentle. “It’s okay. I was a little freaked at first, but when I learned why you bolted, I totally got it.”

“But see? You’re proving my point. You’re probably the nicest guy on the planet, and I rushed out without even the courtesy of a text from the car.”

“You found out the love of your life was alive. I would have done the same thing.”

“Would you?”

“In a heartbeat.” He meets my eyes. “It wasn’t a real engagement, remember? And you’re my best friend.”

“I know,” I say. “But David…” I trail off, then bite my lower lip as a reminder that I have to go on. “That deal. I never should have agreed.” I look down at my hands, then rub sweaty palms along my jeans. “I know how you felt about me. The whole arrangement. It wasn’t fair to you.”

“It wasn’t fair to you, either. We talked about it, remember? And I’m a big boy. I knew what I was agreeing to. And I knew you didn’t feel the same way about me that I felt about you. Did I hope that you’d let go of Gabe’s ghost once we were married? Maybe that we’d even end up with a real happily ever after? Sure, I did. But I never bet on hope.”

I swallow a throat full of tears. “David.”

“I always knew you weren’t over him. And I also knew that if you ever did get over him, I might not be the guy you wanted to fill that empty hole. Even if we were technically married, I still might not have been that guy. I wanted it—hell, I prayed for it. But I never expected it.”

I press my lips together and blink like mad. “Would it help if I told you that I’ve wished on a million stars that I felt that way about you?”