Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 89238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Sebastian isn’t moving though. He wags a finger at me. “This engagement is a PR stunt. The two of you are trying to look like the cute, fun couple. Trying to impress somebody. And I can guess who that might be.” His eyes are gray pools of jealousy as he looks my way. “I made you a good offer. Your store should be mine.” Then, he turns his focus back to Gage. “And I don’t believe you’re getting married. As I said, she never even mentioned you when I asked her out two months ago. I bet you don’t even know her.”
Gage breathes fire, moving me behind him as he advances toward the man. Sebastian backs into the corner of the hallway as Gage stares him down. “You think I don’t know the woman I’m marrying? Think again. I know her favorite food is a chicken sandwich with sriracha. Her favorite artist is Roy Lichtenstein. Her favorite sport is football. I know, too, her favorite color isn’t red. It’s yellow because she wore a yellow dress the day I asked her to marry me, and I know she made me so damn happy when she said yes. She buys Mia and Lola makeup, and looks spectacular putting it on, and looks even more beautiful without it. I know she listens to her friend’s podcast, and shops at her other friend’s jewelry store, and can make friends with anyone. I know she’s fearless and brave. I know she’s the best listener and has the biggest heart. I know exactly why she loves to make chocolate, and it’s about so much more than money, and you will never know these things about her. I know, too, that she loves cherry scents and soap that smells like fruit, not chocolate bath bombs.” Gage takes a deep, fueling breath, then cocks his head and says, “And I know the sounds she makes when she calls out my name.” His voice is filled with the fury of a thousand suns and the protection of an unbeatable army. “Now get the fuck out of her business, and if I ever see you here again, I won’t be so nice.”
My stomach flips. In the midst of all this heat and rage, all these arrows thrown, it actually flips from the way Gage speaks—so possessively, so passionately.
Sebastian lifts his chin, then holds up a hand as if to say you’ve made your point. He wedges past us toward the store, but turns back once again.
“You can give speeches all you want. But I know this is a game.” He points to Gage, then me. “And I’m not going away easily. First, I’ll tell your happy little landlord that you’re faking it, and then I’ll let the world know.” His gaze slithers to me then. Only me. “And see if you can be everyone’s chocolate darling when you’re just a liar.”
For the next five hours, Sebastian’s parting words echo in my head.
You’re just a liar.
It’s savory night at Special Edition. We spend the whole evening serving chocolate squares with potato chips, chocolate truffles with everything bagel seasoning, and chocolate truffles with—of all things—olives.
As Gage makes dirty gin martinis, and everything bagel seasoned ones too, I spend savory night watching, waiting, fearing.
Every time the door opens, I tense.
Check for Sebastian.
Wait for him to blow our cover.
He never shows. Neither does Felix.
I feel oily the entire time. I feel exposed. I feel…afraid.
And I fake it, smiling and serving. The lines are certifiably to die for, and yet, I want to curl up in a ball.
Mercifully, at ten p.m. we close. Gage and I haven’t had a chance to talk since Sebastian left. It’s been go, go, go.
Once everyone leaves, it’s just us at last, and I want to collapse in his arms. Just like a real fiancée would do.
26
A PROPOSAL
Gage
Talk about a Freudian slip.
At the end of the evening, my own words are still playing on a loop in my mind.
My wife.
That asshole was right. Of course she’s not my wife. But the words slipped off my tongue so easily. Without a second thought.
But with zero regrets.
Even when he called me on it, I felt no remorse for having said it.
His accusations only fueled me. Made me want to protect Elodie even more from him.
I still do.
Now that the lines are gone at Special Edition, I lock the door, lower the blinds, and pull her to me. Instantly, she buries her face in the crook of my shoulder, like she’s wrung out. “I’m so sorry you had to deal with him,” I say, apologetically. “I wish I’d been there sooner. I wish I hadn’t gone to the other shop. I hate that you had to deal with him alone.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’m glad you were there at all.”
“I heard the tail end when I came back. I could barely believe what he was saying,” I say, and my tone is gentle for her, but inside I’m seething still, hearing his smarmy voice, picturing him standing too close to my woman.