Page 69 of Conflagration
“Sorry, babe,” I murmur, giving his fingers a squeeze. “I should’ve told Lyssa to keep her big mouth shut.”
“Hey! I didn’t know it was some big secret,” she protests, which is true.
“Seriously? Someone enlighten me already,” Shane inserts.
I nod when Branson gives me a questioning look, letting him know it’s okay to tell Shane everything.
“Fine. I’ll tell you, but you have to promise to keep your mouth shut until I’m finished and you can’t tell anyone about this.”
Shane nods in agreement and Branson highlights our story, starting from the night of the accident to this past Sunday, when he officially asked me to move in. He leaves out a lot of the detail, only hitting the main points, for which I’m grateful. I fill in the blanks from when Branson was unconscious, but for the most part, he has full control of the story as Shane listens intently, rolling his eyes every so often when Alyssa gives a swoony sigh at Branson’s sweet words. Once he finishes, he leans back in his chair and drains his whiskey, signaling for another one as our waiter passes by.
“That’s it. The whole story. It may have started out as fake, but it quickly turned into something real. I love her and that ring on her finger will never come off.”
Shane’s eyes narrow. “You’re telling me no one knows this? Everyone just accepted that you had some hidden-away fiancée?”
“You did, didn’t you?” Branson asks.
“True. Still… Don’t you think this is a little sudden? You’ve barely had time to get to know each other. She’s coming off an engagement and you haven’t even been divorced for a year. What the hell’s the rush?”
“Don’t mind Shane. He doesn’t believe in love or monogamy,” Alyssa quips, causing him to scowl.
Oh yeah, there’s definitely a story there. I know they’ve been friends since college, but there’s never been a hint that there’s anything more than that. I’m starting to wonder what all I’ve been missing since I’ve been gone.
“I think it’s romantic, and I’m happy for you both.”
“Thank you, Alyssa,” Branson says, ignoring his cousin.
“That being said, let me get my obligatory ‘if you hurt my sister, I’ll cut off your nuts’ threat out of the way,” she teases, and I could kiss her for breaking the tension at the table.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he insists, leaning over and kissing my cheek.
As another round of drinks is delivered to the table, Shane takes his rocks glass and holds it up. “To the happy couple,” he says, and it almost sounds as if he means it.
I should feel offended by his cynicism, but I can’t really blame him. It makes me wonder if it’d be better for us to come clean with everyone now that he knows. I’d hate for anyone to hear it secondhand and question our relationship the way Shane’s been doing tonight.
“Well, I will definitely miss you, but I’m thrilled for you both. I’ve never seen my sister happier than I’ve seen her tonight.”
I start to choke up, because as much as I miss her, she’s right. “I’ll miss you, too.”
“Okay, okay. None of that,” Alyssa laughs, wiping her eyes. “I have a proposition for you. My lease is up, and you know I’ve been having problems with my landlord. What if I rent your condo from you? Then you won’t have to worry about finding a buyer, and you’ll always be able to come home to visit me whenever you want.”
“You mean it?!” I ask excitedly, thinking this would be the perfect solution. She nods. “Yes, definitely. That would be perfect!”
She beams, and I know I’m equally as ecstatic. Branson gives me a warm smile. Everything’s finally falling into place, and I couldn’t be happier.
AS MUCH as I want to yank Shane out of his chair and kick his ass for questioning my relationship with Ariana, I get it. Even I can admit that it sounds a little crazy as I recount it for him. Not to mention, he was there for me with all my problems with Megan, and in hindsight, he was right when he warned me from marrying her, so I can see why he’d try to have my back again. At the same time, I know that what I feel is real, and no amount of anyone else’s judgment is going to change my mind.
Fortunately, he seems appeased once I’m finished, and as the girls start getting all mushy about missing each other, he changes the subject and starts discussing the merger we’ve been working on this week. The Atlanta division of Wellington Enterprises has become top-notch for business take-overs as more small businesses in the area succumb to the economic downturn. Even though Shane previously wanted a low-key job, in the last couple of years, he’s stepped up by running the Atlanta office and turning it into one of the most productive.
The rest of dinner is pleasant—comfortable, even—as we make small talk. Even Shane’s demeanor changes and he engages in conversation with Ariana, his hostility completely evaporated.
After I pay the bill, I glance over to see Ariana yawn. She quickly covers her mouth then gives me a sheepish smile. “Sorry. Those couple of glasses of wine made me tired.”
Alyssa glances at her watch then moves to stand. “I have an early morning tomorrow, so I should probably get going. It was so nice to meet you, Branson. I’ll have to come to Tennessee to visit soon.”
The rest of us stand, and Shane looks at Alyssa. “I should get going, too. I’ll walk you out.”
She stiffens then loops her arm through Ariana’s. “No need. I’ll walk out with my sister,” she replies, giving him a curt nod before smiling at me. “Have a safe trip tomorrow.”
