Chapter 20 #3
“Cressie, is it him?” Cora asked, her elegant face transforming into a dark look that held the promise of violence. “Tell me.”
Slowly, Cressida nodded.
Who’s him?
“Is this the first time he’s called?”
“Two weeks ago.”
“What did he say?”
“He asked me where I was.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I said I was right where he left me—with his brother. Then I hung up on his ass.” A little bit of the fire returned to Cressida’s voice, her cheek dimpling as she slowly came out of her catatonic state.
“Good girl,” Cora said. Taking the phone from Daphne, Cora answered it.
“Raife Keller, as I live and breathe. Why the fuck you calling? You want to talk to her so bad, you could’ve shown up when she was in the hospital—” Cressida waved her hands in an X-motion, and Cora changed course.
“Hey, I’m asking the questions here, asshole.
If I ever hear of you calling her again, I’ll let my friends have you.
And I know you don’t want them knocking on your door.
Fuck you and fuck off. Lose her number.” With a vicious jab, Cora hung up and tossed the phone on the couch.
Daphne and Frankie both looked as wide-eyed as I felt, but a mischievous grin played at Frankie’s lips. “That was badass. Can I get you on retainer for when my ex-boyfriends hit me up?”
Uneasy laughter chittered around the circle, but Cora wasn’t done, gaze fixed on her sister. “If he calls again, you tell me. My guys will take care of it. Promise?”
Her guys? What is she into?
“I’m the big sister. I can take care of myself,” Cressida said, recovering from her shell shock.
“I know.” Cora squeezed her sister’s hands. “But let me help you this time, yeah?”
After a lengthy pause, Cressida nodded. “Yeah. If we’re going to keep talking about him, then I need a shot. Anyone else?”
“We don’t have to talk about who I can only assume is Satan, but I’m definitely in for shots,” Frankie said, bustling to the kitchen to help Cressida arrange the liquor.
After a round of shots, the rest of the evening got back on track, drama forgotten.
When it was well into the wee hours of the morning, we drifted off to our rooms. By the time I finished my nightly skin care routine, Frankie was already passed out in my bed.
But before I could join her, Cressida called to me from the kitchen.
Uncertain, I padded over, propping my elbows on the countertop. “What’s up?” Her cheeks were rosy but her eyes looked clear. I’d sobered up too during the last Hallmark movie.
“I want to talk to you about Nolan.”
My stomach bottomed out. “Nolan?” I knew she had an agenda about tonight. I’d been lulled into a false sense of security all evening, thinking I’d get through it unscathed. But now it was time to walk the plank.
Cressida must have sensed my dread, because she waved away my concern. “Summit’s Edge was my idea. Nolan didn’t tell me the specifics, but he wasn’t barking orders on the phone when I saw him in his office earlier, so I’d say he had a nice time with you.”
This is so freaking weird.
“And I know he told you about our arrangement,” she continued, “but I don’t know if he told you exactly why we are in this situation.”
“He said your families would disown you,” I responded carefully, unsure where she was going with this.
“That’s part of it,” Cressida said. “The short of it is, they have something on me that would be damaging if the media got ahold of it. I’m slowly approaching the point where I no longer give a fuck about my parents selling the story to the highest bidder, but if they weren’t threatening me with this arranged marriage, they’d have their claws in Cora instead.
And she has much more damaging things in her past—and present—they could lord over her.
Things that could get her on the radar of some very dangerous people. ”
In answer to the question that must have been on my face, Cressida shook her head. “Cora doesn’t know about the arrangement, and I’d appreciate it remaining that way. Nolan would never tell you any of this because he respects my privacy, but you’re owed the truth.”
Floored by yet another astounding reveal, I could only formulate a one-word answer. “Why?”
She gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “I’ve known Nolan most of my life and I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you.” With a loaded glance, she asked, “Do you understand?”
I blinked. “Are you giving me permission to…date your future husband?” I couldn’t help the snort that escaped me. It was absurd. All of it was absurd.
“I’m saying that if you want to get to know him in whatever way you want to know him, you should feel comfortable doing so.
Nolan Keller is a good man—maybe the best man I know.
I trusted him with my life, and he saved me.
Twice. I owe him everything. Everything.
And he deserves happiness too. With you, if that’s what you want.
” I searched her face, waiting for her to say just kidding, but I saw nothing but earnestness. “Is it?”
“I…” Getting to know Nolan, being free to touch and speak knowing for sure that Cressida was supportive, it sounded nice.
More than nice. But our relationship would always remain secret to preserve their public image.
And no matter what happened between us, Cressida would always be his wife.
And I wasn’t sure if that was something I was willing to accept.
The alternative was cutting it off before it ever began, and I wasn’t sure I was willing to accept that either.
“Judging by the deafening silence, I’d say you have some thinking to do,” Cressida said.
“If you ever want to talk, I’m always here.
I know a thing or two about complicated love lives.
But I know Frankie is your go-to girl, so you can tell her about this.
Nolan is staunchly against an NDA, and I trust you—and her. Goodnight, Val.”
With that, she left me standing alone in the kitchen, spiraling.
I cannot believe I just got permission to do whatever I want with Nolan Keller.
What is my life becoming?
I went to wake up Frankie.