Page 63 of Always

After all, she remembered how, at the Red Line Dinner, Bennet had complained about an investment group combing through the studio. And before that, Gwen said Marco sent a lawyer to examine the Red Line books while he kept her busy in Aruba.

This was a plan that had been in the works for some time.

“So you sold the Red Line too,” she said, dully.

Marco at least had the grace to look slightly guilty.

“I intended to keep the Red Line,” he said, “at first. But they insisted it be included as part of the deal. It’s not profitable, but it’s good PR, and it sells more every year.”

“I know what it sells,” Anika said.

“My point is, you’re about to be unemployed. And trust funds don’t last forever, especially ones that have been depleted by spendthrift fathers. I won’t hold a grudge, Anika. Take your ring back, put it on your finger, hold my hand and come upstairs to say goodbye to my father. I know how smart you are, how hard working. I have plenty more ideas for the next step after Bennet Knight. I want you by my side.”

Anika looked at Marco.

In that moment, his handsome face hardly looked handsome at all. The harsh light of the cafeteria deepened the hollows of his cheeks and turned the gleam in his green eyes almost manic. She realized that he needed glamorous backdrops—beaches, and starlit nights—as part of his facade.

He had sold something extremely precious to her, her mother’s legacy, with hardly a second thought. He said he wouldn’t hold a grudge against her, but Anika couldn’t say the same. She stood up, leaving the ring on the table.

“Your father was always kind to me,” she said, fighting with all her might to keep her voice steady and calm. “He was a good man, and I’m so sorry for what’s happening to him. Goodbye, Marco.”

“You can’t be serious,” Marco said, as she turned and walked away. “Anika!” he shouted after her.

She forced herself to walk steadily out the front door, her back straight, and then she practically collapsed against the wall outside the hospital. The tears poured down her face, though she wouldn’t allow herself to make any sound. The Red Line, gone, just like that! How would she tell Gwen and Hannah and Calvin? What would she do now?

Her face was on fire. She was grateful for the cool night air. Summer was coming to an end, she could feel the first hint of fall in the light breeze.

God, she was a fool. She couldn’t believe the feelings she had allowed to develop for Marco.

But then she stopped herself. At least she had already planned to break things off before she found out about him selling the company. She wasn’t a complete idiot.

James didn’t know that, however.

Her heart stopped as she realized this. He only knew that Marco had proposed, and he likely believed that she had accepted.

Feverishly, she grabbed her phone and tried to dial his number again.

It didn’t even ring this time, just went straight to voicemail. Had he blocked her?

She tried calling Hannah. Hannah always kept her phone within a foot of her. She answered on the second ring.

“Hello?” Hannah said, and then whispering to someone with her, “Shh, it’s my boss.”

“Hannah!” Anika cried. “Do you know where James is?”

“James?” Hannah said in confusion. “No, why?”

“I have to speak to him,” Anika said.

“I haven’t seen him or talked to him since the Red Line Dinner,” Hannah said, and then to her unseen companion. “Stop it right now! I’m serious.”

Anika could hear a low male voice murmuring something in a teasing manner.

“Alright,” Anika said, “sorry to bother you.”

“It’s no bother!” Hannah said,

But before she could hang up, Anika cried, “Wait, do you have his address?”

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