“Yeah. About…two months?” I venture a guess, then sigh. “I’m sorry, Adam. I should’ve said something.” What kind of crappy friend am I to keep him in the dark for weeks? Even if he’s been busy and I’ve been overwhelmed with everything going on, I should’ve at least texted him.
“This is way too fast. Are you sure about marrying this guy?”
“It was love at first sight.” Kind of ridiculous to claim that now, when Huxley is furious enough to maybe strangle me the next time we see each other.
“Bullshit. You aren’t like that.”
“Like what?” I laugh softly. “Worthy of love at first sight?”
“No, of course you’reworthy. You are. But you’re too rational, and you have responsibilities you take very seriously. He might’ve fallen for you at first sight, but vice versa? No way. You’d never fall for a guy you barely know, or trust him.”
“Well… I guess I trust him,” I say with a forced smile.
Adam’s eyes grow intense. “Does he love you and cherish you the way you deserve?”
I should lie and say yes, but the sincere worry in his eyes makes it stick in my throat. So I take a sip of ginger ale, trying to buy myself time.
Of course, Adam isn’t fooled. “See? You know deep inside he won’t be good to you.”
There’s no need to reach deep inside. Huxley told me how he felt.
“Are you trapped because of the baby?”
I blink. “How did you know? About the baby, I mean.”Is there anything hedoesn’tknow?
“Andreas mentioned he was going to be a great-grandfather soon.” Adam runs his fingers through his sandy hair. “But I still can’t imagine why you’d shackle yourself to a man you have no feelings for. You should be with someone who makes you happy.” He stares at nothing for a moment as he shakes his head slightly, then his jaw firms. “If it’s about your father giving you a hard time about the pregnancy, I’ll do it.”
Huh?“Do what?”
“Marry you. We’ve known each other for so long. If you need someone to raise the baby with, I’ll do it. I promise I’ll make you happy for the rest of our lives. I’ll be the most devoted father and husband ever.”
“Um…” I stop.What am I supposed to say to this?If he didn’t look so earnest, I might laugh, thinking he was just kidding. “Nobody’s going to believe we’re getting married. Not for real. Besides, I need a rich husband.”
His face falls. “Is it because—”
“Adam.” I can’t let him continue saying things he doesn’t mean, making promises he can’t keep, out of concern for me. Once he has time to really think things through, he’ll regret this moment, and I don’t want our friendship to be ruined just for a gesture that will ultimately turn out to be meaningless. Just knowing that somebody puts me first is amazing, but marrying me would require him to deny his true self and happiness. I care about him too much to let him do that to himself.
I paste on a bright smile. “Thank you for the offer, and I couldn’t love you more for caring so deeply about me. But you know how things have been for me and how much I need money. And now, I got my wish.” Nelson and Karie will definitely use my marriage as an excuse to quit paying for Mom’s care, claiming I have a husband to share the burden. My head already hurts at the fight that’ll happen when they realize Huxley won’t be paying. However, Adam doesn’t need to know that level ofsordid detail. He’d try to help, but he doesn’t make enough, not when he has an exorbitant student loan. “On top of that, he’s young and handsome. The perfect trifecta.” I keep my voice light to reassure him.
He reaches for my hand. “But—”
Suddenly there is movement next to the table and a fork strikes down like a hawk diving for prey. Adam and I snatch our hands away. My heart jumps to my throat, pulses painfully. The three prongs, vibrating from the force, dig into the wooden table where Adam’s hand was just an instant earlier.
“Jesus, what thefuck?” Adam says.
“Whoever you are, you don’t touch my fiancée,” comes Huxley’s steely voice.
Fury blazes in the icy depths of his eyes. He looks even more enraged than he did at the dinner. My mouth dries.
A large, warm hand wraps around my shoulder, and the subtle smoky and spicy scent envelops me as Huxley presses a firm kiss on my cheek, his eyes on Adam. “Hello, my love.”
Chapter Nineteen
Huxley
Women often love me for my money and my connections. So it shouldn’t be a shock to hear Grace say as much. I should appreciate that she’s being honest, albeit behind my back. After all, I promised myself to give her a chance, not absolve her for everything she’s done. Her behavior makes my path clear, and I can give her the same taste of public humiliation, helplessness and manipulation she’s heaped on me without any niggling doubts that I’m being unfair.
What Idon’tappreciate is a guy sharing her table and attention. He eyes her like a stray dog desperate for a loving home. How dare he reach for her like he has the right to touch her?And how dare she let him?
