Wow. In a million years she never would have thought Connor would understand.
“I wanted to own a restaurant. I wanted to cook; it’s my passion. But if I didn’t marry Rachel, I would be cut off.” Another mirthless laugh. “So I caved because I didn’t know how to be a guy trying to start a restaurant business with no money. I want to hate myself for it, but…” He shrugged. “I have Annabeth, and she’s the greatest thing in the world. She made it all worth it.”
“And what happened to your…to Rachel?”
“Oh, she left. Motherhood wasn’t her thing, and I wasn’t giving her the lifestyle she thought marrying into the Winslowe family would. I refused. That was one thing I could control. I refused to buy the ridiculous-sized mansion or the fleet of luxury cars. I never put her name on my bank account. To be honest, I was a dick about a lot of things, but with good reason. I didn’t respect her, and I knew she wasn’t marrying me for love. It was an arrangement. Ultimately, we were both miserable.”
“That’s awful. I’m so sorry.”
He shrugged. “When she left, I went to my parents and laid it all out for them. I did what they expected, and it failed. The fact that Rachel was the one to leave worked in my favor, and I told them to back the hell out of my life.”
“Did they listen?”
“Eventually. I have my restaurants; they run themselves. I don’t have to be there as much as I used to. But they’re sort of…they’re bad memories for me, you know? I feel like it was achieved with blood money or something. That’s why I was so excited about investing in the resort. It was something wholesome and mine. A labor of love.”
“There is something truly magical about that place,” she said softly. “I can see why you were all drawn to it. Just the fact that you all became friends there and still are close? That’s kind of amazing.”
“They’re a great group of people. Some of the best, really.” He paused, and his expression grew somber. “Does Axel know who you really are?”
She shook her head. “He doesn’t know anything except that I’m in a very dire situation involving my family and that I can’t involve him.”
He took another sip of his champagne after giving her a curt nod.
“Are you going to tell him?” she asked, hating herself even as the words came out of her mouth.
“It’s not my place,” he said, and she almost sagged with relief. Until… “Just don’t mess with him, okay? Axel’s had a hard life. Like…a really hard life. I get that the two of you hooked up and maybe it didn’t mean anything beyond the moment, but…if he knows about your real life, it’s going to seriously screw with his head. He’s going to take it personally.”
Dammit.
Swallowing hard, she nodded. “We sort of…we ended things after the other night. He knows I don’t live in Harbortown, and once the resort is done, I won’t be back.”
He nodded. “Okay, then. Your secret is safe with me.”
“Thank you, Connor. Really. You have no idea how much this conversation has helped me.”
“So, what are you going to do? You know, about the marriage and all that.”
“I wish I knew. Logically, I know I have accomplished something major by getting the job with the resort. But I don’t think that’s going to be enough for me to live on if my parents follow through and cut me off.”
Another nod. “I get that.”
“I’m not sure I can convince them not to do this, but I’d rather be broke than married to someone I don’t feel safe with.”
Connor arched one brow. “Maisie…that’s a whole different story. I didn’t love or even like Rachel, but I never felt in danger with her. Do you have proof that this guy is dangerous?”
“I do. Not that anyone believes me. He’s been accused of plenty of things, but his parents always pay people off. There are just too many accusations for it to be a coincidence. And then…” She was going to tell him about her experience with Bryce but decided against it. She didn’t realize she was crying until Connor’s arms went around her.
“It’s okay,” he murmured. “I’ll help you in any way I can. I promise.”
Oh, how she wanted to believe him. She really did. But she’d been let down so many times before that it felt like no one really cared about her happiness.
When she pulled back, she offered him a small smile. “Thanks, Connor. I appreciate the offer, but I doubt there’s anything you can do.”
“Just give me a name, Maisie. That’s all I need.”
“Connor…”
He grinned. “Many people underestimate me because I’m a chef. Like it’s not a manly gig or they don’t think I can be useful.” He leaned in close again. “But they’re wrong. I know a lot of people, and I can find out things the average person can’t.”
