Marian
“What was I thinking? That he’d stay detached? That he’d be fine living a life where we’d be friends and occasional lovers? This was worse than I thought. I’m not sure I can do this, Penny. I just—”
“Whoa, whoa. Slow down. Tell me what happened.”
“What didn’t happen?” My head shook. “I knew he wouldn’t listen to me.
My mother convinced him of her truth. What about the real truth?
I don’t care that I can barely remember that night.
I know what happened with Drayton, and I’m so sick of no one hearing what I say.
Lab report,” I scoffed, stabbing my fork into my grilled chicken.
“Money buys everything. If they only saw the real lab report, they’d see how guilty she was. ”
My eyes cut to Penny, and my shoulders drew in as I threw her an apologetic look.
“I’m sorry. You have no idea what the hell I’m talking about. It’s for the best. You really don’t want to know.”
“Actually—”
“No.” My word had a finalization that had her nodding. “You really don’t. Forget what I said. Just be glad my parents are nowhere around. Especially my mother. Where I’m a shark, she’s a snake. Venomous to the core.”
“That bad?”
“Worse.” I took a bite of chicken, forcing myself to chew and swallow. “Let’s talk about something else. I can’t think of Bastian or my mother right now. How’s the book coming along?”
Penny’s eyes lit up. “I’m almost halfway through. Oh my God. It’s so good. Slade just carved his name into Mary’s chest so her father could see who she really belonged to.”
“Ooh! I love that part. Can you believe she convinced him to do that? Although, we both know there wasn’t much convincing on his part. Mary and Slade are my Roman Empire.”
“Roman Empire?”
I laughed. “It’s a book term. You’ll see soon enough when I invite you into all the book groups. Just be careful,” I said, stabbing into another slice, “it’s addicting as hell. Good people though. You’ll make amazing new friends if you like it.”
“I definitely will. I can’t wait! I’ve needed something like this. I’ve felt so empty lately. And lonely. But reading is helping me with that. To make more friends that I can talk to about these stories… that would be wonderful.”
“Tomorrow, I’ll introduce you to Paloma. She was one of the first book besties I made. I’ve only met her online, but I’ve known her for almost seven years. She’s the sweetest. I think the two of you will get along great.”
Penny smiled, and I relaxed a little more through our silence as we continued eating our lunch.
How was I going to face Bastian again? He wanted us to meet for dinner.
It was another attempt to woo me. What happened after that?
Intimacy? Kissing? More? Could I really do this after he shut me down with all his talk of Drayton?
My mother. She was behind this. Behind all of it.
I should call the wedding off. I didn’t love Bastian.
I never would, and I always knew that. So, what had changed?
My defensiveness for Drayton? A refresh of guilt?
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Bastian and I were supposed to keep things business-like.
Making heirs in my mind hadn’t been intimate.
It was a job. A role. This was entirely different.
You couldn’t fake loving someone. Maybe some could, but not me, and my heart would always belong to another.
“Oh shit.”
“What?”
Penny’s lips parted, but I watched as she forced a smile. “Nothing.”
“It’s something.”
She made a small sound. “Turn around and look behind you. Slowly,” Penny rushed out. “Five tables down by the windows and aquarium. Holy hotness, right? I swear, you can’t really get hotter than that.”
“You don’t sound serious. You sound like you’re trying to convince me.
” She gave me an apologetic look as I sat up straighter, slowly turning to look towards the direction she spoke of.
When I spotted Bastian and two of his guards, I sighed, turning back to face her.
“Of course. Why do I feel like he knew I was down here? Pretend you don’t see him. I don’t want him to invite us over.”
“I wasn’t entirely being sarcastic when I said he was hot.
Marian, he’s a dream. Is the thought of marrying him so bad?
I feel your dilemma, but damn, just look at him.
Those short dark curls highlighting his eyes.
Deliciously tanned skin. Amazing jawline.
” Her brow creased. “He should have been one of those old money models. But he’s not, because he’s the real thing.
We’ve only met once, but that was enough.
” Her lids narrowed. “I can’t see from this far away.
Are his eyes light brown? I love light brown. ”
I sighed. “Yes, light brown. You’re so silly,” I laughed. “You’re a gem for trying to convince me of Bastian’s hotness, but I’m not blind. I know how dreamy he is. He knows it too. And marrying him would be fine. The attraction or vows aren’t my problem.”
“The love is.”
At her softening tone, my gaze met hers, and I couldn’t stop the tears that welled. One hard blink and it was all over with. They’d spill, and I’d break. I had to get myself together.
“Your book. It says to Marian and Drayton, the cutest couple I’ve ever seen. Is it because of him? Because of this man named Drayton?”
I flattened my hands on the table, trying my best to ground my emotions and not lash out like I wanted.
“I’m declaring this National Drayton Day.
Dammit. I’ve heard that name more times today than I have in the last ten years.
But yes, it’s because of him. No, I don’t want to talk about it.
That was the past. I’m over it. Bastian is my future.
I just need to figure out how to…feel again. I need time.”
“You still have a few months.”
My lids closed as my lie ate into my chest like acid. “I’m not sure that’s long enough.”
“Your life can change by the day. If anyone knows that it’s me. You never know what might happen.”
Light flooded in, and I took a shuddering breath as I nodded. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Life is unexpected. Maybe I’ll learn to love again if I try hard enough. Or… maybe I’m making a horrible mistake.”
“I don’t see how you could go wrong with Bastian Allard.
He’s—” Penny’s brows drew in as her gaze followed someone in the distance.
I turned, searching through the mass of people, but there were too many in the lobby area of the large hotel.
“Bastian can wait,” she mumbled. “Oh my God. Marian, look. Just past the fountain. Is that her?”
“What? Who?”
“Right there,” Penny stressed, pointing as her finger bounced. “The woman in black with the two large bodyguards. Is that the author we’re here for? The one I’m reading right now? I saw her picture in the back of the book. I’m almost positive that’s her.”
My neck craned, and a couple took a few steps, giving the smallest glimpse of Jenn’s small frame.
She was wearing a black outfit like she always was, and her mostly dark hair was shorter than I’d last seen, sitting at her shoulders.
The small streaks of gray were new, but it only had me smiling more as I nodded.
“That’s her.”
“I can’t believe it.” Penny was nearly standing as she moved her head, trying to see past all the people coming-and-going. “Do you want to sneak over and get a closer look?”
The playfulness in her tone, not to mention Bastian’s presence, had me reaching for the check that was already resting on the table. With the bill charged to the room, I quickly wrote down the tip, grabbing my purse as I stood to flee.
“I’ll do you one better. Let’s go say hello.”
“Really? Won’t she be upset?”
Penny scattered to grab her tote.
“She knows I’m going to be here.”
“You mean the two of you are friends?”
The star-gazed surprise had me looping my arm in hers as we left the hotel’s restaurant.
“You could say we’re close. I may be all the way in London, but she signs there once a year.
Over time, we’ve stayed in touch. Plus, I have a lot of connections in the US.
Jenn reaches out to me sometimes. Like, last year.
She was looking for a cozy little studio with a city view, so she asked if I knew anyone. ”
“Which I’m sure you did.”
I laughed. “I gave her a friend’s number. Nina is a real estate goddess. She found Jenn the perfect writer’s retreat. You should have heard how happy she was. She was forever grateful. Now she has the perfect place to write us more stories. It’s a win-win.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t say anything. Wait, how do I look?”
I led her out of the restaurant and into the buzz of travelers.
“You look great. I’m glad you decided to take me up on my offer and wear my other sundress. It’s cuter and cooler than those jeans you were wearing.”
“It is a cute dress. I hate jeans.”
“You look amazing in baby blue. It’s a pretty color on you. It brings out your eyes.” I paused as I steered us around a businessman who was digging through his wallet. “Just stick by me and try to relax. You’re going to love her.”
A small squeal had me smiling bigger as I weaved us through the lobby.
Through the random people, I could see her at the front desk.
She was talking to the woman behind the counter, going back to say something to one of the men.
Just seeing Jenn again made my heart race.
It did every time we met. She was more than an author to me.
More than a friend. She was a creator of characters that helped me through moments I never thought I’d make it through.
She had saved me, and she didn’t even know how much.
“Here’s your key card. Please let us know if there’s anything you need.”
“Thank you.” Jenn turned, about to say something when her eyes grew round. “Marian!”
She launched herself forward, and I closed the distance, hugging around her tightly.
“You made it. I was hoping you would.” She pulled back. “Last we talked, you said you were going to try to come, but you weren’t certain you could.”
“And miss my opportunity to meet you again? Never. I brought a friend. She just started Slade.”
Jenn turned to Penny, surprise on her face. “A new reader. What do you think so far?”
“I’m obsessed,” Penny gushed. “I’ve never read anything like it. I think I’m in love.”
Jenn’s smile wavered as she glanced to me and then over to one of the men standing a few feet away. My attention mostly stayed on Jenn, but her expression had me zeroing in on who she was looking at. “I’m so happy to hear that. I take it this wasn’t planned.”
“Planned?”
Penny was confused, but I couldn’t speak. Hell, I couldn’t breathe. Was my heart even beating? The pulse had stopped, but I wasn’t sure it ever started up again. I saw nothing but him. Nothing but those green eyes that haunted my dreams.
“Marian? Marian, are you okay? God, you’re as pale as a ghost.”
My hand flattened to my stomach at Penny’s words, and I forced myself to stand taller.
I didn’t cower. I feared no one. But this wasn’t just anyone.
It was him. But not the man I knew. He was the Devil of Hollywood now.
Mr. Sinn, my creation. He wasn’t the Drayton Pennington who loved me anymore, he was a womanizing, cut-throat Hollywood businessman, and that scared the hell out of me.
“Marian.”
One word—a million threats.
“Drayton. Quinton. Long time no see. I take it you’re both doing well.”
“Better than ever,” Drayton’s full lips pulled back as he smiled, but I wasn’t sure if it held good or bad intentions.
I quickly turned to Jenn. “Not planned, I assure you. I should go. I just wanted to introduce Penny. She was so excited when she saw you.”
“Of course. It was nice meeting you Penny. I’m so glad you’re both here.
We’ll talk again soon.” Jenn stepped back, grabbing the cart.
“For now, I should head up to my room. It’s been a long flight.
Marian, call me later. We’ll discuss the schedule.
Quinton, Drayton, it was good seeing and meeting you. ”
“You too, Jenn. Take care.”
Jenn waved at the men. “I will, thank you.”
She threw me a look, winking as she headed away. My pulse was back, and my adrenaline was spiking, making me shake in lieu of my racing heart. I nodded a silent goodbye to Drayton and Quinn, barely able to get my feet to work as I turned.
“Running again, I see.”
I stopped, looking over my shoulder and slowly circling back to face Drayton. Penny stepped in closer, grabbing my forearm as she moved in next to me. I could feel her fear. Or was that mine?
“You’re mistaken. I didn’t run the first time. I’m not running now.”
“Could have fooled me. Prove it.” Drayton’s powerful body didn’t escape my notice as he came forward.
Dark hair was styled, and the top of the black button-up was undone, exposing just the hint of his chest. The black slacks and dress shoes only enhanced his towering height as he got closer.
“You say you’re not running, but I beg to differ.
If I’m wrong, let Quinn take your friend for a drink. It won’t take long. We need to talk.”