The mac and cheese is good, so I take another bite, staring ahead at the water.
“I like to see a woman who eats.” Baylor’s boss slides up next to me, facing the ocean.
Nothing like being shamed when I’m holding a damn appetizer plate. I lose my appetite and struggle to swallow down the last bite I took. I lower the plate, wishing I could dump it now.
He says, “My wife and her friends eat like birds to keep their figure, but they’re much older than you.” I’m not sure why he’s still speaking to me when I’ve given him no indication of interest. But he keeps going. “Baylor’s going places.” That has me glancing his way. He’s grinning like we’re old friends and sharing secrets. He’s older than expected. He has at least ten years on my mom. With white and gray hair combed to the side, he’s smaller in stature standing in opposition to his arrogance, which befits a tall male model, basically Baylor if I’m being honest. “We’re happy he brought you into the Taylor and Goodman family. We’ll be seeing lots of each other. That will be nice. You and I spending more time together. I can take you out on my yacht. Have you ever been on a yacht before?”
It’s not a question, but it sure does sound like a threat of him insinuating more than business acquaintances. “You’re crossing a line you don’t want to, Mr. Goodman.”
“I’ve crossed many lines.” He rocks on the heels of his loafers with his hands tucked in his pockets. I can hear the jangle of change or keys, which grates on my last nerve. “It always works out well for me.”
Squaring my shoulders to face him, I reply, “Not this time.”
“You’revery pretty.”
“I’m also married and have no intention of cheating on my husband.”
His hands go up in front of him. “Who said anything about cheating?”
“Bob?” Hearing his wife standing behind me stiffens my spine.
I release a heavy sigh. He’s good, making it look like I was the one coming onto him.Asshole.
I could bother to tell her the truth, but when I look back over my shoulder, there’s no anger nor jealousy scribed in her expression. Disillusionment might describe it better by the lack of fight in her eyes. She probably accepted this fate years before I entered the picture, trading the lifestyle for happiness.
She puts on a smile that can’t be more fake, and says, “It’s time for the toast, dear.”
He walks by me, hitting me with ire in his eyes when he passes.
If this is what it means to be rich, I choose my life with all the struggles that come with it any day.
I’m still unsure what to do about the bet and the betrayal of Baylor, but a plan finally comes to mind. I cross the lawn, tossing my plate in the trash, and go to him.
He walks to meet me halfway, his smile holding the uncertainty of someone who cares and is worried about me, not someone who would make a lame bet to sleep with me. He extends his arm, then I walk into the offer, and he brings me to his side. He’s still so comforting, like my favorite blanket that keeps me warm on stormy nights.
It’s more difficult to stay mad when I still see him as my friend and feel him as my husband. Yesterday wasn’t that long ago. The impact it made still lingers and thrives in my heart.
He kisses the side of my head, then asks, “You excited to see the fireworks?” There’s such innocence and hope in the question.
It’s not ideal, but I’d rather lose everything than sacrifice my soul. Even him, if it comes to that. “I’m leaving, Baylor.”
CHAPTER 28
Baylor
“Why are you leaving?”
Lauralee wrangles away from me and looks around as if checking to make sure no one is listening. Setting her eyes on me again, she whispers, “I played my part. Now I’m leaving.”
“Three hours? That’s it?”
“That’s it.” She walks away like I won’t follow her.
I’m right on her heels, willing to follow her off a cliff if that’s where she’s headed. “You’re not going to talk to me about it?”
“What’s there to say?”
I catch up to her, matching her pace while trying not to look like I’m fighting with my bride at a company party the day after we got married. “Telling me what’s wrong would help. What did I do, Shortcake?”
