Page 22 of My Fiancé's Brother 2

Matt heldout his hand and led me to the couch. He leaned his arm over the back and smiled at me. “Emily.”

“Matt,” I started.

He held up his hand. “Please. I need to get something off my chest.”

“Okay.”

“I know I did everything wrong the last time and I screwed this whole thing up between us. And I only have myself to blame.”

“Matt.”

“No, I take the blame for all of this. I should have recognized andaddressed my health issues. None of this would have happened if I had been a better partner to you.”

We stared at each other. No words came out of my mouth.

“I don’t want you to marry Jackson. I don’t want you to end up on some military base alone while he is in some shit hole in Syria in a gunfight. I don’t want that life for you. You deserve more than that, Emily. You deserve to live in the most vibrant city in the world with a vacation home in the Hamptons. You deserve beautiful dinner parties and elegant galas. Your granny lived in that world, and that is your birthright to live in it too.”

I sat still. My granny had hated the pomp and stuff of that world. She had ripped continuously on about how annoying rich people were. As an heiress to a considerable sum, I could step into that world at any given moment. What Matt didn’t realize is that I had never held any interest to be part of that crowd. Those were his aspirations. Not mine.

He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. “Just think about that, okay?”

“Okay.”

Matt left.I lay in bed and stared at the ceiling. Tonight had been an unexpected ambush. Especially all the unnecessary digs about military life. Didn’t Irene realize the sacrifice that these families were making for their country? Men like Jackson went into the worst places in the world and did battle so people like Donny could enjoy his sailboat and house in the Hamptons. In my opinion, it wasn’t warranted to be so condescending.

And what about Jackson? Why had he shown up unannounced? Had he wanted to talk to me? Maybe he had wanted to tell me that this whole idea of marriage was a stupid idea. That after reflecting on it, he realized that I wasn’t strong enough to be a military wife.

I was so confused about everything I didn’t even know what tothink anymore. Why was this so difficult? Would it be too selfish just to take Jackson’s offer and bask in his presence for as long as he could stand it? Maybe he would fall in love with the baby? Perhaps, at the very least, even if our marriage didn’t last, it would cement a bond between him and his child. I rolled over on my side. I had no idea what to do anymore. Why was everything so complicated?

CHAPTER 7

Two days passedand I heard nothing from Jackson. The guy had apparently had a change of heart. He went from insisting we get married to radio silence.

Late Wednesday afternoon,I got a text from Matt.

Matt: Hey, want to go out for dinner?

I didn’t. I did not want to go out for dinner. I started to text precisely that to him when a second text came through from him.

Matt: My mom wants to take Jackson out for dinner before he leaves. We thought you might want to join.

Well, that completely changed my decision. As much as I didn’t want to be anywhere near Irene or Matt tonight, the temptation to see Jackson was too great. I was the moth, and he was my flame.

Me: Sure

Matt: Want me to come and pick you up?

Me: No, just text me the address. I’m running late.

It was a white lie, but I didn’t want Jackson to see me walk intothe restaurant with Matt. I thought it would send the wrong message. I rushed upstairs to get ready, taking extra care with my appearance. I pinned up my hair to make myself look as mature as possible. The highest heels I could find in my closet paired with a little black dress.

Jackson: Want me to come and pick you up?

I did a stupid little dance in my living room.

Me: Only if you're in the neighborhood.

Jackson: ETA 5.

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