TWENTY-SEVEN
Rose
I walk numbly to my bedroom, ignoring Daisy’s purrs as she winds between my legs. And as soon as my knees hit the edge of the bed, I collapse onto my stomach and sob.
Nate completely overreacted to something that meant nothing, and now the man who has always been so calm and collected when faced with conflict is refusing to work through this one with me.
Because he doesn’t trust me.
Where did we go off the rails?
I wipe heavy tears from my cheeks and roll onto my back, blinking at the ceiling. He can’t really believe anything is going on between Malcolm and me. He knows me better than that. Right?
Just yesterday, we were tangled together in this very bed. It was my lunch break, Kara was at school, and Nate showed up at my office with a burning fire in those cool blue eyes. So, we came back to my place and filled every minute of that hour.
There’d been no hesitation there. No reason to think he doubted me. So, is this the single thing he’s hung up on? Just finding me in the car with Malcolm?
With his hand on my thigh?
God, it probably did look pretty bad. I try to imagine how I might feel if I found him in the same position with another woman and my heart drops.
But that doesn’t mean he can just choose to ignore my attempt to explain. Trust should be the foundation of our relationship, and it completely failed us today.
I grit my teeth and glare at the glass light fixture above me. How dare he blame me for this? How dare he draw a line on who I can and cannot spend time with?
He needs to know how not ok that is, so I pull out my phone and poise my fingers to begin a text to him, but in the same moment, there’s a knock on my door. I wipe my cheeks again as I rise quickly from my bed and head down the hall. Maybe he came to his senses and changed his mind.
With a deep breath, I peer through the peephole, but it isn’t Nate. It’s George. I run my hand through my hair, clear my throat, and pull the door open.
“Sorry for stopping by unannounced,” he says. “But I wanted to drop these off.” He’s smiling at first, but his face quickly falls when he sees me. “Wait, have you been crying?”
I shake my head and wipe my face again as I step back to let him in.
“Yes, you have,” he insists, sliding a stack of files onto the counter and eyeing me cautiously. “What happened?”
I press my lips together and try to hold it in, but when I squeeze my eyes shut, another tear escapes.
“Is it Nate?”
When I open my eyes, George is staring at me with a furrowed brow, like he’s ready to completely annihilate whoever hurt me.
I sigh. “Yeah, and Malcolm…both of them.”
He peels off his suit jacket and takes me by the arm into the living room. “Sit. Maybe I can help.”
I sink down onto the sofa and drop my head to my hands. “It’s a mess. Malcolm won’t leave me alone, and now Nate doesn’t trust me. I don’t know what to do…”
“Start at the beginning,” George instructs.
So, I relay as much information as I can. I tell him about the day Malcolm brought lunch to my office and the way Nate reacted so unaffected by that. I tell him about the anxiety I had over introducing him to our parents. I tell him about what happened today.
When I’m finished, George is massaging his chin like he’s analyzing a math problem. “Well, first of all, stay away from Malcolm. Please. I don’t like that he’s still trying to push his way in when he knows you’re seeing someone else. Guy has creep written all over him.”
I groan. “See, I’m trying to, though! But I can’t just say no to him if he goes out of his way like he did today.”
“Yes, you can.”
“Ugh.” I cross my arms. “You sound just like Nate.”
George shakes his head. “Look, I know Malcolm is pushy, but no one made you get in that car with him.” I start to protest, but he quickly continues. “And that’s why Nate is pissed. If you told him you can’t stand the guy, he expects a call from you when you can’t shake him off. So…if you didn’t call, he’s worried you might still have feelings.”
“That’s dumb,” I reply, sagging my shoulders. “He knows it’s over with Malcolm.”
George raises a brow. “But maybe today made him question that?”
I grumble an unintelligible agreement.
“Nate’s a good guy, I think,” George considers. “But he shouldn’t have left you hanging like this… Not before you could explain yourself. He’s gotta suck it up and hear you out. He’s in the wrong there. I’ll give you that.”
“So, what do I do?” I frown.
He touches his chin again. “I say let him have the weekend. See what happens. Then have a hard talk with him on Monday. Make sure he understands he hurt you. A simple apology isn’t going to cut it.” He purses his lips and his expression softens. “Mom told me his wife passed?”
I nod solemnly as Daisy emerges from the other room to hop onto my lap.
George sits forward and clasps his hands together. “I’ve obviously never been through what he has, but most guys…” He touches his chest. “We don’t always admit it, but we have hero complexes. He was probably completely crushed there was nothing he could do to save her. Couldn’t protect her from…” He pauses and eyes me for an answer.
“Cancer,” I confirm quietly.
“Right,” he sighs. “He couldn’t protect her from that. He’s probably still devastated, and that’s why he wants to kind of…protect you from Malcolm.”
“Why would he think Malcolm is such a threat?”
“He was driving recklessly, wasn’t he?”
I sigh. “Yeah, but we’re fine. It was just a little skid.”
“A little skid could have easily turned into a lot more,” George says. “I don’t particularly want you in the car with him either.”
I hang my head. “Yeah, I get it.”
“Does Nate know Malcolm cheated on you?”
I nod.
“Then honestly, I don’t blame Nate for trying to keep you away from him.” George tightens his lips into a sympathetic frown.
I lower my eyes to my hands, which are clasped together on my lap. Malcolm would absolutely hurt me again if I ever let him back into my life. It’s a reality I haven’t really grasped until now, but I can suddenly see things from Nate’s perspective.
George speaks softly. “It’s something he finally has control over. Protecting the woman he loves.”
“Oh, he doesn’t…we haven’t said that…” I burst out awkwardly.
George shrugs. “Even so, I have a feeling the best thing you can do for him is to just…ask him for help when you get into a tight situation like that. The guy needs to feel like he can be there for you.” He takes a deep breath. “And he is undoubtedly afraid something horrible is going to happen to you…after all the trauma he’s been through.”
I run my fingers through Daisy’s fur, remembering the way Nate so sternly kept me away from the road while he changed the tire today. My heart hurts for him, and I vow to be more careful from now on.
“But don’t let him off the hook.” George stands up and points at me. “He’d better have a good reason for leaving you hanging like this. I’m sure he knows you’re miserable.” George pulls on his jacket. “And if this turns out to just be a jealousy thing on his part, forget everything I said. I’m just giving him the benefit of the doubt, here.”
I nudge Daisy and climb off the sofa, then I wrap my arms around George. “Thank you.”
After a quick squeeze, he chuckles and steps back to muss my hair like the annoying older brother he is before turning toward the door. “The files on your counter are for Monday’s meeting with the Webbers.”
“Got it.” I pad behind him with a nod.
He catches my gaze one last time as he slides out the door. “Oh, and don’t let Mom tell you who to marry. Even if it doesn’t end up being Nate.” He shakes his head. “Mom got lucky with Dad, but she honestly doesn’t know a thing about matchmaking.”
“Don’t tell her that.” I smile just slightly.
“Night.” He grins and shuts the door.
***
The Berkshire is as overly grandiose as I remember it to be. Large crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling in almost every room of the Old English-style resort, and the marble floors in the ballroom where the wedding reception is being held sharply reflect the twinkling lights strung up for the event. Henry and I used to run circles around this room as kids, grasping chocolate fudge pops we stole from the freezer in the basement while George tutted at us. I miss those days.
I weave between guests who all wear varying neutral shades because the bride required no bright colors in the invitation. I personally think it’s incredibly pretentious to tell your guests what to wear, but I suppose if she’s paying for our dinners and our wine, I shouldn’t complain. I pulled a forgotten fitted black gown from the back of my closet for tonight. I was going to pick up a new dress yesterday, but the motivation left me the moment Nate did.
I wish I could say the ceremony was also as simple as the attire, but the fact that we were all given jars of monarch butterflies to release as the bride and groom exited should say otherwise.
When I reach my assigned table all the way at the back of the ballroom, I find my name card and drop my purse onto my chair. I see my parents’ and brothers’ cards to my left, and to my right, Nate’s.
He hasn’t called or texted. It’s been radio silence. And to be honest, it hurts. Even though I promised myself I’d give him the weekend like he asked, a small part of me wished he’d change his mind and call me anyway.
“Best not to think about him, dear.” My mother pats my shoulder as she folds Nate’s card down so his name is no longer visible. “Plenty of other men here who would have put your special evening before their own plans.”
I didn’t tell her what happened—just that Nate had to back out of the trip at the last minute. But I think she was secretly thrilled to hear it. She’s already poised to pair me up with someone else. At least Malcolm isn’t here.
“I was just speaking with Mrs. Coates over there.” She points across the room as she takes her seat. “Her son, Archer, just earned his PhD in Optometry last week. And my, does he have beautiful eyes to go with his career. The clearest blue. I gave her your number to pass along.”
“Mom,” I cross my arms. “Quit giving my number out. I’m not single anymore.”
She fusses with her napkin. “Yes, but these things don’t always last, dear.”
“ Yeah, you’d like it to end, wouldn’t you?” I mumble just loud enough for her to hear.
She gives me a disapproving look. “I just don’t want you to settle.”
She has no idea how far off she is. I start to walk away because I don’t want to hear any of this, but Henry appears in front of me with a glass of wine.
“They have the Cabernet Frac.” He hands it to me. “Figured I didn’t even have to ask.”
“Thank you,” I sigh, taking a sip of my favorite wine. It coats my throat in a warmth that promises to make me forget how irritating my mother is.
“Ella’s looking at you, Henry.” My mother juts her head toward the other end of the room.
“No, she’s not,” he replies, clipped.
I turn to look, and no, the small blonde my mother has been trying to set him up with since childhood is indeed not looking at him.
She clicks her tongue and shakes her head. “Time is ticking…”
Ignoring her, Henry glances at the empty chair beside mine. “George said you and Nate had a falling out?”
My mother sits up in her seat. “You had a fight?”
I squeeze my eyes shut and rub my hand across my forehead. The wine isn’t strong enough for this. “We didn’t have a fight. Just a misunderstanding.”
“Is that why he canceled?” she asks.
I shoot a death glare at Henry, who shrinks back in apology. “We’re working through it, Mom. It’s fine.”
Henry shuffles uncomfortably, then he darts his eyes between the door to the hall and me. “Want to see if they still have that freezer full of ice cream in the basement?”
“Maybe you should take this opportunity, Rose.” My mother ignores him as she sits back and regards me hopefully. “Just end things now, before they get messier.”
“Please, stop, Mom.” I grit my teeth.
“I’ll have Mrs. Coates tell Archer to give you a call tomorrow—”
“STOP,” I say loudly enough to draw a few glances from nearby tables. I set my wine glass down hard and lay a firm gaze on her. “Just stop. Please. I can’t take it anymore.” A knot forms in my throat as I catch Henry’s shocked expression in my peripheral. I’ve never stood up to her like this. “I’m not you, Mom. I’m not choosing my future husband based on how many sports cars he owns.”
She leans back and blinks at me like I’ve just stabbed her in the chest with one of the steak knives from our table.
Tears prick my eyes as I glare at her. “You’ve never once asked me what I want. What I’m looking for. Not once.” I gulp back the sting in my throat. “All you care about is making sure your precious daughter marries a man with the right last name. It’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard, and I’m so done with it.” My chest heaves up and down as I try not to lose my confidence when her eyes widen. “I’m done trying to live up to your outrageous expectations. You’d rather coerce me to marry the man who cheated on me because he’s got a nice car—which he almost crashed with me in it, by the way—than let me be happy with the man I actually love.”
It slips out before I can stop it, and I clasp my hand over my mouth as a sob threatens to emerge. I momentarily catch both hers and Henry’s jaws hanging open before I turn from them and push my way back through the crowd, absolutely crushed that I’m admitting this while Nate sits at home stewing in his anger and betrayal.
But it’s true.
I love him.
Fully and truly and deeply. I love the man who’s made life feel more real and raw and beautiful than it’s ever been. Nate is the key to freedom after a life living in a diamond-studded cage, and I can’t imagine locking myself inside again.
I eye the exit and shield my teary eyes from prying guests as I rush through the room. Then I push open the door and step out into the chill of evening air. But just as I do, I collide with the chest of someone who was coming inside.
And it’s warmth, and cedar, and cinnamon .
I’d know that scent anywhere.
I peer up at Nate as he takes my shoulders in his hands and steps back, concern spreading across his face.
“What’s wrong?” he asks urgently, pulling his brows together and running his hands down my bare arms. “What happened?”
“You’re here ,” I gasp.
He’s wearing a perfectly tailored black tux with a matching vest and a grey tie and oh my, I’ve never seen him so dressed up like this. I wipe my cheeks and step back to get a better look. His beard is trimmed closer than he usually has it, I’m pretty sure he has actual product in his hair, and he’s exchanged his brown work boots for a pair of black patent leather oxfords. I lift my eyes back to his and gape at him. “Why…why are you here?”
“Because I was stupid to leave things the way I did, and I had to see you. I’m sorry.” His blue eyes express his apology more than any words could. He tilts his head. “Why are you crying?”
I shake my head. “I just…ugh, I went off on my mom. I’m so…” A sob catches in my throat again. “I’m just so tired of it…”
Nate wraps his arm around me and pulls me toward a bench on the sidewalk in front of the resort. Then he shrugs off his jacket and drapes it over my shoulders. “Sit. Tell me what happened.”