The Day Our Promise Breaks (Charles and Evelyn) novel Chapter 276

Brooks stood next to Evelyn, watching her with a mix of tenderness and genuine concern. He hadn't mentioned to Evelyn that he'd looked into the mystery surrounding Charlie and Sandy's kidney donors. However, any trace of information had been deliberately wiped clean. There was only one person who could pull off something like that—Charles. He was hell-bent on protecting Dahlia, come what may.

Evelyn finally stopped when she was about to collapse from exhaustion, and a bit of the gloom clouding her heart started to lift. "Brooks, it's getting late. We should head back," she said, noticing it was nearly eleven.

"Okay," Brooks replied, taking her hand again as they left the indoor amusement park and headed back to the car. While he buckled Evelyn's seatbelt, he noticed a hint of sadness still lingering in her eyes. Worried about leaving her alone, he gently asked, "How about staying over at my place tonight?"

"What?" Evelyn turned to him, clearly surprised.

The moment the words left Brooks' mouth, he realized how they might be taken the wrong way. Panic hit him as he met Evelyn's gaze. The last thing he wanted was for her to think his intentions were anything but genuine. Quickly, he stumbled over his words, "Evelyn, I didn't mean it like that. I have no ulterior motives... Well, I do care about you... I mean, that's not what I meant..."

"I know you're just worried about me," Evelyn cut him off with a warm smile, easing his flustered state.

Brooks was relieved she hadn't taken it the wrong way, but he couldn't help but feel embarrassed by his own reaction. Usually cool and collected, he found himself losing his composure around Evelyn more often than not. Trying to mask his discomfort, he cleared his throat and offered, "Would you be okay with staying at the Grand Luxe tonight?"

The Grand Luxe was a hotel under the Robinson Group's portfolio. Brooks realized his earlier suggestion might have been too forward. To Evelyn, he was just someone who'd helped her out a few times—someone she appreciated, but nothing more. A hotel stay seemed like the best option.