Removing Carrie’s hand from his forearm, he left her in the middle of the dance floor.
“Don’t do it, dude,” Charlie said, intercepting him on the way to the bar. “She’s not worth it. You’ve been on the wagon for a long time. Booze is not the answer to this weird situation. As your attorney, I’m—”
“What are you doing with her psycho sister?” he snapped.
“You know, that was pretty rude of you back there. Janie’s my new girlfriend.”
“God help you.”
“I know it’s a small world and you’ve been blindsided by your ex and that douchebag Wickham, but no need to drag Janie into this. My girl’s an angel.”
“I’ll have a straight, triple scotch,” he said to the bartender. “An angel? That miss priss, interfering demon is the reason Lizzy left me!”
“What?” Charlie leaned on the bar. “Stop it. You’re acting like an asshole because you’re jaded. I’ve never met a sweeter girl,” he said dreamily. “She’s like straight up out of a romance movie.”
He grunted. “More like a horror movie. The power of that insane woman’s worm-tongue persuasion and manipulation poisoned Lizzy against something perfect and pure!”
“You’re wrong about that. Janie is all class.”
“It’s a carefully constructed façade to fool the masses. She’s a fucking demon.”
That the controlling sister would insert herself intohisromantic relationship and convince Lizzy that all he cared about was his career broke him back then. She didn’t know anything of substance about him, didn’t know what he and Lizzy shared or what their dreams and plans were! Goodbye, good riddance. He didn’t want a woman who could be so easily swayed by another to give up a once-in-a-lifetime love, anyway! Weak-minded people were useless, and Lizzy clearly had not been who he thought she was, not then, not now. And now she’s here, engaged to Wickham!
Foolish woman!He pounded back the drink, then slammed the rocks glass on the bar. “Fill it. I hope you have a happy future with her, Charlie. The women in that family are fucked in the head.”
“Aw, dude, I know you’ll regret saying all this in the morning, and I’ll forgive you because you’re like a brother to me. It’s the booze talking. Just remember this—the women inmyfamily are no better, andItried to persuadeyounot to enter a contract withmysister.”
“That’s different. It’s a business arrangement. Beanz and I aren’t in love, and I know exactly what my future will be with her—big difference.”
“You’re delusional. My sister has been in love with you—andgunning for your money—since the eighth grade. She trapped you into this ridiculous marriage pact, which gave her a reason to cling to you and not get on with her life—maybe even find true love. I’m sorry, but you own this.”
“Blah, blah, blah.”
“Stop it. If Janie was such a home wrecker, then you should have stood up for yourself and fought for Lizzy instead of drinking her memory away at the slightest obstruction to your happiness. Did you ever think Lizzy might’veneededyou to stand by her and fight for her—for what you had? Not everyoneis as strong as you are, Will. Look at yourself. You’re the richest man I know, living a half-life, and still torn up over the one who got away. Damn your pride, man.”
Charlie was right, possibly even about Beanz. Hadn’t she let it slip about waiting for him? “Apparently, Lizzy isElizabethnow, and what you describe is sappy, unrealistic crap you only see in the movies,” he deflected. “There’s no going back to right wrongs. Once my good opinion is lost, it’s lost forever. She was obviously weak then and still is.”
“Bullshit. She’s really made something of herself.” Charlie stayed the glass rising to his lips. “Will ... drinking won’t fix it. Fix it for real.”
“It’s too late. I’m engaged to Caroline, and didn’t you seeElizabeth’sengagement ring?” He turned to look over his shoulder long enough to see Lizzy dancing with her date. His heart crashed into his stomach. Screw Wickham!
His cowgirl had changed, but dayum! She looked sophisticated-sexy. To think, only two days ago, he imagined those shapely legs wrapped around his waist, admitting he was still in love with her.
“Darcy, please forgive me,” Caroline begged, blocking his stare at Lizzy.
“There’s nothing to forgive, but you should have told me when I asked you about it on the phone yesterday,” he said, holding back on blasting her about Wickham’s affiliation with the gallery.
“I couldn’t. As I said, it’s in the contract,” she astutely pointed out. “I can’t even say her name.”
“True. And what about Wickham? Did you know they were together? Or did you conceal that, too?”
“I did know but didn’t say anything for the reason you think. I haven’t fooled around with him. Nothing has changed.”She smoothed her fingers across his brow. “Has it changed—you know—now that you’ve seen her?”
Although his head spun from the sudden rush of booze, he took her hand and strode to the dance floor. Holding his fiancée tightly against him, they swayed to a love song. “Nothing has changed, Beanz. Nothing.You’rewearing the ring. You signed the marriage contract.” Making sure that Lizzy was in visual distance, he kissed Caroline—deeply, provocatively—running his hand down her back, giving her just enough for the show of all shows: the award-winning performance he promised. He reveled in it, knowing full well that Lizzy and her dickhead fiancé watched.
He looked up, gaze meeting Lizzy’s shocked expression. Apparently, she didn’t know that her new client’s fiancé was her ex-boyfriend.
“I guess I need to find another art broker,” Caroline said for his ears only.
