“Have-my-baby flowers?” Frederick muttered under his breath, rubbing his forehead.
“You thought he was interested in Bethany?” Pete snorted. “Whatever gave you that ridiculous idea?”
“Why is that ridiculous?” Joe leaned around Frederick to aim his glare at Pete. “What’s wrong with Bethany?”
“Nothing. She’s amazing.” Pete gave Frederick a shit-eating grin. “It’s just that she isn’t Anne.”
“Anne?” Joe gaped at Frederick. “All this time, you had a thingfor Anne when Coraline and I were trying to set you up with Bethany?”
“It’s a heart-wrenching story that spans ten years and two continents,” Pete said with dramatic flair. “Two lovers separated by—”
“I’m sorry, Joe.” Frederick cut Pete a look to shut him up. “I’m touched and flattered you wanted to set me up with Bethany, but I’m not interested in her that way. I hope I didn’t give her or anyone else the impression that I thought of her as anything more than a friend.”
“Thank God,” Joe said with a slow smile spreading across his face. Frederick’s eyes widened. That wasn’t the reaction he’d expected. “Because Aiden and Bethany have been talking a lot since Bosque Verde. I think my little brother might have a crush on her.”
“Two brothers marrying two sisters.” Pete practically bounced on the bed in his glee.
“I said Aiden had acrushon Bethany.” Joe side-eyed Pete. “I didn’t say anything about them gettingmarried.”
“Just give them time.” Pete nodded sagely. “That’s what always happens in K-dramas.”
“This isn’t a K-drama.” Joe threw up his hands, then got a considering look on his face. “But that would be kind of sweet.”
“Right?” Pete thrust his fist out, and Joe bumped it—all within two inches of Frederick’s nose.
“Can you guys go bond somewhere else? Anywhere as long as it’s not here.” Frederick massaged his temples. “I’m trying to figure something out.”
“That brings us back to my original question.” Pete made no move to leave. “Why were you giving your phone the death glare?”
“You want to do this now? Fine.” Frederick turned to give Joea pointed look, but he had to lean back because he couldn’t focus his eyes. His lieutenant was sitting really close to him.
“Oh, hells no.” Joe crossed his arms and legs, locking himself in position. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Lieutenant, we’re still on duty,” Frederick said in his best captain voice.
“Which is why you should hurry the fuck up,Captain,” Joe snapped. “I can’t believe you two were keeping secrets from me.”
“Joe.” Frederick scrubbed his face with his hands. “Like Pete said, it’s a long, complicated story about my past—”
“Andyour future,” Pete added, arching an eyebrow in challenge. “If you and Anne have really resolved your past hurts, it’s time to think about your future with her.”
“But that’s the problem.” Frederick swallowed past his suddenly dry throat. Saying something out loud made it scarier because it became more real. “I’m not sure if I have a future with her.”
“Okay. You can catch me up on your long, complicated past later,” Joes said, placing his hands on his thighs. “Why the hell can’t you have a future with Anne?”
“There might be something between her and Andrew Cha.” Frederick heard his phone case creak in protest and forced himself to relax his grip. “And having a well-respected director by her side can only help her. She would never use Andrew Cha’s influence to get ahead, but he would understand the nuances of the industry—and whatever she’s going through—better than I ever could.”
“Bullshit. You don’t need to understand the ins and outs of the film industry to support her. You just need to understand the ins and outs of Anne,” Pete said softly. “Are you saying Andrew Cha knows her better than you do? Loves her more than you do? Is that what you’re saying?”
“No onecouldeverlove Anne more than I do,” Frederick ground out, then froze at his own admission. So much for not acknowledging the L word. He never stood a chance anyway. She was Anne. And he was hers. Then, now, and forever.
“Then how could anyone be better for her than you?” Pete squeezed his shoulder. “I know you’re scared of having your heart broken again. But, Frederick, isn’t Anne worth the risk? After ten long years, don’t you think the two of you deserve to be happy?”
“But what if she’s already happy without me?” Frederick asked in a strangled voice, his eyes shut tight.
“Then go make her happier,” Joe said with quiet urgency. “I’m marrying Coraline so I can spend the rest of my life making her happy. I’m going to love her so hard—make her laugh, smile, and swoon so often—that I’ll never have to wonder if she would be happier without me.”
“I can do that.” Frederick nodded till he saw double. He wanted nothing more than to make Anne happier than she’d ever been. He would give anything to make her laugh, smile, and swoon.
