Page 30 of Between Now & Heartbreak

“No. Your dad wants us to announce our wedding date at the fundraiser. It’s two days after we get back. We’ll have to pretend we made up long distance.”

I’ll tell your dad that we’re on a break once we’re gone. I think it’ll be easier if he can’t question you about it, you know?” It’s thoughtful consideration, so it’s probably not about me at all. But I’ll take it.

I pick up my purse and smooth my hair.

“When I walk out, pretend you’re upset because I haven’t forgiven you, okay?” I say sternly.

He nods, like a kid accepting the punishment for breaking the rules.. And then, we go and play our parts.

When we step out into the lobby, Dina is waiting for me in the chair outside the room. Georgia is still there, too.

“Can you take me home?”

“With pleasure.”

She hops up, the glare she turns on Duke is full of malice. I slip my arm through hers and make for the exit.

“Baby, come on. This is bullshit,” Duke calls after me, his attempt at anguish is feeble and rings so false, I can’t help but grimace. I glance back at him as we step out of the building and I see Georgia walking over to stand beside him.

As I climb into my friend’s car, I imagine that she’s going down on him already. And because it’s my fantasy, I imagine that her teeth are broken and jagged as she does. And that Duke can’t get his dick loose.

And then, finally, for the first time in nearly a year, I laugh out loud.

6

STUPID CHOICES

BETH

“Heading out so soon, Ms. Wolfe? ”Arnie our receptionist calls as soon as I step into the lobby of our main reception area. I stop, even though it’s the last thing I want to do.

I walk over to his desk at the far end of the stylish, warm and overtly masculine space.

“Yeah, Arnie. I’m going try and catch my family before they leave for the airport.” I try to smile as I lean causally against the nearly chest high gleaming white solid quartz block that he’s sitting behind.

“And after the weekend you had, no one can blame you for not wanting to be here.” His eyes widen and his eyes brows arch in a sympathetic and expectant way.

My stomach tightens and I swallow a groan.

Everyonehas looked at me like that today. They feel sorry for me, but they also want the scoop.

Julia made a scene here before she came to the restaurant. And so even though no here knows the details, they all know what shesayshappened.

I can only imagine what they must be thinking.

I’ve heard stories of how my mother would storm in here to confront my father about his latest mistress. They say she threw things and screamed until my father came out of his office. Once she had his attention, she collapsed in his arms and sobbed. He held her, rubbing her back soothingly until the police arrived a few minutes later, he handed her over and walked back into his office without a backward glance.

Maybe they expected me to do that to Duke today.

You are your mother’s daughter

My father’s words haunt me as I make my way out of the building and slip into the back of the company car that’s waiting for me.

This deal that I hoped would save me from a fate similar to my mother’s has brought me closer sharing it than ever.

But the difference between me and my mother is that I’m not in love with Duke. When I leave him, I’ll have everything I want.

The driver launches into a monologue about his new baby and I nod and smile and even laugh. But, I decide that I need to prioritize getting my driver’s license.

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