Page 64 of Conflagration
He laughs. “Baby, you already live here. This is your home. It only makes sense to make it official. I want your shit here. Plus, I don’t like the idea of you having an apartment in Atlanta to run away to whenever I piss you off.”
“You plan on pissing me off?” I tease, and he grins.
“It’s inevitable, baby. But the make-up sex will be more than worth it.”
Rolling my eyes, I push off him, not sure why I’m surprised he wants me to move in. Wasn’t I just thinking about it before I came into his office? I guess hearing the words from his lips makes it real—and for a split second, it scares the hell out of me. But I love him and I’m ready to take the leap.
Branson leans in and gives me a kiss. “Go get ready. We’ll take off within an hour, okay?”
“Okay,” I echo, getting up.
Just as I’m about to walk out, he stops me.
“Ariana?”
I turn back to him.
“I love you.”
A beaming smile crosses my lips, and my fears melt away. “I love you, too.”
THE CLOSER we get to Atlanta, the more nervous I become. Part of me is hopeful that I can slip in and out undetected, but I really want to see my sister. More than anything, I want to introduce her to Branson. I also know that it’s time to face the music, and as much as I want to avoid my parents and Benjamin, I need to make it clear that my life here is over.
Leaning forward, I turn down the radio and look at him. “Are we staying at my place or a hotel?”
“Well, I was thinking it would make sense to stay at your place,” he begins, and I nod. “But I may have had Caroline make reservations at the Four Seasons.”
“Oh really? And what’s the occasion?”
He takes my hand and brings it to his lips. “It’s where we met. I want memories there that I’ll remember.” He pauses to glance over at me, worry on his brow. “You don’t mind, do you? I mean, I can always cancel if it’s a problem.”
I laugh, shaking my head. He’s adorable when he’s flustered—two words I never thought I’d use to describe Branson Wellington. “It sounds perfect, Branson. And this time, I promise I won’t leave before you wake up.”
“Just try it, baby. This time, I know enough to track you down.”
“You don’t have to worry about that,” I inform him then sit back thoughtfully. “I think I’ll see if Alyssa can get some time off this week. I know it’s last minute, but it’d be nice to have her help packing things up while you’re in your business meetings this week. Do you think Shane would be free to have dinner with us? I’d love for you to meet her, and it’d be nice for the four of us to get together.” Silently, I hope that, by Shane seeing Branson and me together, all of his suspicions will melt away.
“I don’t see why not. You know, I’m way out of practice on this whole ‘meet the family’ thing, but I’m excited to meet her, too. What about your parents?” he asks, and I groan.
“As much as I want to avoid them, I think it’s time I explain some things to them. Alone,” I inform him, and he scowls. “Just hear me out. I took the cowardly way out and ran. It’s time I face them, and I need to do it on my own. I can’t lean on you for this. I need to be strong.”
“Baby—” he growls, but I hold my hand up to stop him.
“Trust me, Branson. They’ll know about you, that I’m with you. But they also need to know I can stand on my own two feet. I’ve never stood up to them on my own. I need to do this for myself.”
He lets out a deep sigh then nods. “Okay. I get it. I don’t like it, but I get it.”
One dilemma down. One to go. “There’s someone else I need to see,” I say quietly.
Ever perceptive, Branson knows exactly who I mean. “No. No fucking way. You go see that asshole, it’s with me.”
“Branson—”
“No, this is not debatable, Ariana,” he says, his tone gruff and commanding.
Irritation wells up in me, and I force myself to take a deep breath, careful not to lash out. “Look, I get it. This whole possessive ‘she’s mine’ show you men like to put on. But I walked out on him with barely an explanation. Yeah, he may have deserved it, but I need to return his ring and make it clear to him that it’s completely over so he’ll stop this whole ‘wedding’s just postponed’ bullshit.”
“Exactly. That’s why I want to be there. He obviously didn’t get it when you left. I’ll make sure he gets it now.”
