Page 82 of First Chance

“They backed me into a corner. I panicked!”

“And you told them we were engaged?”

“Yes.”

My knees go weak. I hoped I was wrong and that she didn’t do what I think she did, that I was mistaking the word fiancé for something else.

“Are you out of your mind?”

“I didn’t have a choice.”

“A choice? A choice! You cannot pretend to be with a man like me, Jo.”

“What do you mean?”

“It will ruin your life! I will ruin your life!”

“That’s not true.”

“Jesus. Do you know what people will say about you? What they already say about me? We can’t let this rumor spread just because you’re trying to stick it to your parents.”

“Lochlan, it’s not that.”

“What is it then? Why are you doing this?”

“They did it again.”

“What?”

“They were forcing another engagement on me.” Her words make the blood in my veins run cold.

“To who?”

“Austin. My brother’s best friend.”

I turn around in the confined space and brace my hands on the top of the truck bed. This poor woman is trapped between the worst of two worlds. The one that her parents want to force upon her, and mine. The cold, dark cave that is my life.

“I told them that I couldn’t marry Austin because I was already engaged to you. That’s what caused the scene in there,” she whispers guiltily. “I know it isn’t fair to drag youinto this, but you told me that you’d keep me safe.”

“Of course, I will, but not like this. There has to be another way.”

“There isn’t. As long as I’m single, my mother will try to sell me off like a prize horse.”

“So, what? We pretend that we’re a couple, and then what?”

“I’ll finish school, get my trust fund, and then I’ll be gone. They won’t have any hold over me.”

“I don’t know. I don’t think I can do this. It’s not right.”

“You told me that you owed me, that you’d repay me for my part in exonerating you. This is it. This is what I want.”

I owe her everything, but I can’t ruin her life after she saved mine.

Chapter Thirty

Jo

The rain hasn’t stopped all weekend, but when there is the smallest break in dark clouds overhead and the droplets stop pelting my tiny kitchen window, I move my pouting outdoors.

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