Page 3 of Between Now & Heartbreak

I’m not apologetic about the fact that I like blending into the tableau instead of ruining it.

But, swayed is not fooled.

Forgiven is not forgotten.

Duke didn’t wake up and suddenly realize what a great catch I was and decide to make the most of this arrangement.

This money means a great deal to Duke. Publicly, everyone thinks he’s golden. The youngest son trying to find his way still. But, that’s because his father is very good at cleaning up his messes.

For all Duke’s ambition, he doesn’t like hard work. And since there is no such thing as success without it, he’s failed at every endeavor he’s turned his hand to.

The chairmanship of Wolfe - which is largely a figurehead role that is checked and balanced by an excellent board - isjustthe place to put him.

His father needs money, my father has it in spades.

My father needs political capital,hisfather is the bank that mints it.

We’re both just pawns they have found use for.

But unlike Duke, I’ve got other options. I’m not scared that if I left my family’s money on the table that I’d be destitute.

I’d wait tables. I’d give art lessons. I’d find a way.

The only thing keeping me here is baby Cameron and knowing that with the money I’ll inherit, I can make sure that she’s got someone in her life, other than her father, who can help her be more than what he wants for her. Like James tried to be for me.

Duke sees this money as his only option.

When he surprised me by proposing months ahead of schedule, I knew it was because he was feeling anxious about the money. He was smart. He did it in front of a group of people at his father’s house and made me saying no impossible.

Since then, he’s been avoiding being alone with me. He stood me up for dinner last week. He hasn’t returned any of my calls all week, instead sending texts saying he’d call me back. He didn’t. Now I hear he went to my father to talk about wedding dates.

Months ahead of schedule.

Just like his proposal was.

I’ve lost control of the situation. And I’m dreading this party my father is throwing us next week.

My phone buzzes with a text from my best friend, Dina.

“I’m here, your cunty housekeeper just let me in.”

I grin, genuine excitement welling inside of me for the first time in forever. She was here for James’ funeral, but couldn’t stay. Before that, she hasn’t been back to Winsome in years. In high school, she’d been my best friend. We’ve stayed in touch by email but while I was at my grandmother’s we weren’t in touch at all.

She’s already in the foyer when I get there. I start toward her, crossing the cavernous space as quickly as I can.

She looks up from her phone when she hears the clack of my heels on the floor. Her smile is already in place, but it falters when she sees my much altered appearance, confusion clouding her dark eyes for a moment before she shakes it off. Even if I wanted to talk about things with her, which I don’t, this isn’t the time. I haven’t told her anything about what happened last summer. I don’t know how to talk about Carter without telling her the rest of the what happened. How do I explain the six months where I fell off the map? So, she just thinks I was grieving at my grandmothers.

She was one of the first people I called when I got a new phone. We talk at least once a week, but this is our first time seeing each other since the funeral.

“Lizzy,” she squeals, her arms opening for a hug.

“Dina, hi,” I try to make my voice bright and relaxed, but it comes out like a squeak.

I look over my shoulder, half expecting to see my father standing there. He’s not, but the feeling that something is breathing down my neck spurs me forward.

“Great to see you,” I say cheerily as I speed walk past her, ignoring her open arms and heading for the front door as quickly as I can without actually running.

“Nice way to show it,” she mutters behind me but she catches up quickly.

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