Page 77 of My Ex-Fiance's Best Men
“So… funny story,” he chuckles nervously, then hands me the bouquet.
Before I can stop him, he walks right past me and into my living room. I take a deep breath and leave the door open with the assumption I’ll be kicking him out in less than a minute.
“Funny story?”
“Yeah. Turns out, Crystal never wanted to get serious with me. She told me I was only good for a few rolls in the hay while I was engaged to her sister. She’s no longer interested in me.”
I don’t even know how I’m supposed to feel about this or what I’m supposed to say. “Nothing Crystal says or does surprises me. Not anymore,” I tell him. “I’d like to say I’m sorry it didn’t work out between the two of you, Matthew, but in all honesty, I really don’t care.”
“We could get revenge,” he suggests, a playful twinkle in his eyes.
How in the world did I ever fall for this man? He is a walking red flag. It took the love of three decent men to lift the veil from my eyes. I can’t imagine going back to the previous version of myself.
The version that would’ve bought this boyish charm he’s trying to pull.
“Revenge?” I ask, raising an eyebrow as I set the flowers on the side table by the door.
“Yes. We could still get married. It’ll piss Crystal off, and it’ll get your mother off your back, too. Two birds, one stone,” he says with a pompous smirk.
“Matthew.”
“Yes?”
“I would rather carve my own eyeball out with a butter knife than to ever let you be a part of my life in any capacity again,” I calmly reply. “The trash took itself out, as far as I’m concerned. I’m not letting it back in.”
Matthew exhales sharply, the amusement fading from his eyes. “That’s harsh.”
“Nowhere near as harsh as your breakup. Nowhere near as cruel as the screenshots you posted online to humiliate me,” I reply. “How do you expect me to get over that? That’s not the kind of transgression you can just sweep under the rug. You hurt me.”
“I know, and I’m sorry.”
“But you didn’t stop there. You had to hurt me some more. When Dominic, August, Theo, and I got together, you were furious. Not because you had a change of heart, but because you couldn’t understand with that shallow mind of yours, why they’d be so into me when you were so quick to discard me.”
He thinks about it for a second. “I did wonder. I figured, you know, if they see something special in you, it’s got to be there. I’m willing to find it, as well. Doesn’t that count for something?”
I stare at him for a moment. “You had years to figure that out. You chose to belittle and humiliate me instead. Matthew, that ship sailed. Go find yourself another upgrade and leave me alone.”
And just like that, his mask falls off. I see him, therealhim, for the very first time.
“You know, Phoebe, your mother was right about one thing,” he says, his voice low and cold. “You really should lower those standards. I doubt there’s anyone besides me who’s willing to take you, now that you were run through by three men at once.”
“They’ve already taken me, Matthew. I’m not interested in what you’re willing to accept because I’m off the market. I’m unavailable,” I shoot back. “In fact, I’m the one who upgraded, whereas you couldn’t even lock down my sister. Bat crazy Crystal Baldwin. It says more about you than it says about her.”
That sets him off. He takes a few steps forward, his shoulders squared as he uses his large frame to try and intimidate me. I step back.
“What are you doing?” I ask, my voice wavering.
All I can think about is my unborn child, vulnerable in my womb against a man who looks like he’s itching to hurt me.
“I’ll change your mind, Phoebe,” he says. “One way or another, I’m walking out of here with a yes.”
“Don’t be stupid. You had your chance, and you blew it. Don’t make things worse for yourself.”
“I’m already in hot water with the banks. I need this marriage between us to happen.”
Frowning and confused, I ask, “Wait, what?”
“I’m trying to help you while I help myself!” he snaps and takes another step closer. “Let’s get married. No prenup. I’ll gain access to the Baldwin fortune and get the banks off my back, while you’ll recover your pristine reputation to keep your mother from getting her claws on your inheritance and company stock. Come on, Phoebe, it won’t get better than this, not for you, anyway.”
