“Holly doesn’t owe you anything. She’s an adult and has told you no and to leave her alone. No means no. Get lost, Jorge.”
“If Holly wants me to leave, she needs to tell me to my face.”
Fire rages within my chest and I bite my tongue to keep the words I’d regret saying inside. I take a deep breath, wishing the increase in oxygen could soothe the flames. There’s a light touch on my arm, instantly cooling the inferno within me. I turn only to see Holly standing next to me, her face stone and her blue eyes blazing as she glares at Jorge.
Her eyes narrow. “Jorge, I’m here with my fiancé. Leave me alone and don’t come back.” Her voice is steady and confident, and I’m filled with pride knowing this incredible woman will be mine tomorrow.
Fake mine.
Semantics.
Jorge’s face is red and splotchy and his nostrils flare before he speaks. He reminds me of a bull. The thought almost has me laughing, but his next words remind me how serious this situation really is.
His voice is quiet and venomous. “You’re going to regret this, Holly. Whatever this is,”—he gestures at the two of us—“will not end well for you. When it ends, because it will, I’ll be there to fix your life and your reputation, especially in the media.”
Holly takes a small step forward, her shoulders square and her hands stiffly planted at her sides. “It won’t end.”
A seed of hope buries itself in my chest, even as I ignore it, knowing our marriage is a means to an end to get rid of Mr. Toadflax.
She faces Jorge down for only a second before turning her back to him and walking to her chair. I know she’s feeling rattled by this confrontation, but she’s acting totally calm. Holly definitely has the Kingston family’s acting abilities. Her brother would be proud.
Jorge turns his hate-filled gaze on me and I stifle the urge to laugh in his face. I only let the tiniest amount of amusement leak through and my smirk only enrages him even more, causing the red in his cheeks to turn purple.
“You’ll be hearing from me,” he spits out.
I shake my head. “I certainly hope not. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to get back to lunch with my future wife.” I lift my hand and mock wave at him. “Bye.”
Jorge’s nostrils flair, but he takes a step back and turns away, his feet stomping across the floor.
I sit in my chair across from Holly.
Her eyes are trained on Jorge, and I look back to see him exit the building. Holly’s shoulders sag, as if a heavy weight’s been lifted. Her arms sit listlessly next to her plate, her sandwich forgotten.
I reach over and rest my hand on her forearm, drawing her gaze to mine. “You okay?”
Holly’s hand flips over and I quickly accept the unspoken invitation. Her fingers weave through mine, and I’m positive I’ve never felt something so perfect before.
“Yeah, I’m fine. A little shook up.” Her voice is little more than a whisper. She shakes her head and her eyes look misty. “How did he even know we were here?”
“Beats me, but I think that’s another point against him. We can add that to the restraining order paperwork, especially because he didn’t even order food, just came straight for our table.”
“Yeah.” She sighs. “We should go ring shopping now.”
“I’m sorry, Holly.” Nothing else seems adequate or big enough to express the feeling inside of me right now.
The fury that there are men out there who treat women so poorly, and the desire to hold and kiss away all of Holly’s pains roil inside of me, leaving me tongue-tied.
“It’s not your fault, Mateo.” Holly smiles softly, squeezing my hand. “He’s not worth your anger.”
“You’re right. But Holly, you’re worth it. You’re worth protecting and keeping safe. I promise marrying me won’t be something you regret.”
She ducks her head, the natural pink of her cheeks deepening to a rosy hue. “Not exactly the proposal of my dreams, but thank you. I accept.”
I laugh. “That wasn’t my official proposal, Buttercup. You’ll be blown away by how suave I can be when Iactuallypropose.”
She shakes her head, but I don’t miss the twitch of her lips. “We’re getting married tomorrow and having dinner with your family tonight. When else are you going to propose?”
I wink. “You’ll see.”
