48. Sean
SEAN
P axton wasn’t willing to share the method his guys use for contacting this mysterious A.R.
fellow. He was willing to tell his men to lure A.R.
to the Rossi home with a proposal for a double-or-nothing bet to square his debt with them.
Given A.R.’s inability to pay and apparent penchant for gambling, he won’t likely pass up the opportunity to make one more bet that could free him of debt.
When A.R. shows up, Paxton will learn the gambler’s real identity. Then we can fire him. As for A.R.’s gambling debt, Paxton promised to work out a nonviolent solution. I have no choice except to trust him on that part.
With the plan in motion for catching A.R.
, it’s time to concentrate on convincing Lowri that I haven’t been using her, at least not in the way she thinks.
She’s special to me, and I can’t imagine losing her friendship and support.
It’s going to be difficult enough to let her go at the end of the ninety days, but there’s no way I’m letting us part on bad terms.
I’ll show her that this short relationship has been real for me. Our marriage may not be destined to be permanent because that’s not what either one of us has ever wanted. But every emotion and every moment together have been authentic, at least for me. I’m pretty sure that’s true for her as well.
I racked my brain for a romantic idea that not only would wow Lowri but also would demonstrate my sincerity.
I have a decent amount of experience with impressing women.
I’ve just never tried to prove my true feelings to anyone.
Hell, I’ve never had feelings like this for anyone.
It was a wake-up call finding her sobbing in the bathroom.
My failure to share the requirements of the trust agreement inflicted more pain than I’d imagined possible.
I’d expected her to be mad, not hurt. Seeing her that way gutted me.
Hopefully, the plan I settled on will work. I shared my predicament with Emily and asked for her help with putting my idea into motion. After chastising me for being such an idiot, she got to work and made a couple of suggestions of her own to amp up the evening.
The alarm on my phone buzzes. It’s time to meet Ron. Once that’s done, I should have enough time to change clothes and meet Lowri.
If I’m lucky, the evening will end with Lowri forgiving me.