“I told you yesterday we needed to talk, and you blew me off.” Blaine stepped toward her, and she swallowed, fought the urge to retreat. Standing up to him, being firm, had worked last night.
Maybe lightning would strike twice.
“Good grief, don’t look so nervous.” He rolled his eyes, glassy as they were. “I want to talk, and you keep avoiding me. Not answering my calls or texts all day.”
She shot him a look, one that suggested he take the hint.
“I know you’re mad about the whole loan thing, but it’s just business.” Blaine shrugged, his trendy V-neck shirt and navy blazer a stark contrast to the porta-potty next to him. “You never would’ve gotten approved for a traditional loan, and you were supposed to make everything back in triplicate.” His brow furrowed. “Obviously no one could have predicted your little freak out in Saudi Arabia.”
“My freak out?” She crossed her arms, suddenly chilly in her rhinestone-studded leo and leggings despite the warm summer air. “That’s what you think that was? That all of this ismyfault?”
“Freak out, episode—whatever you want to call it.” He shrugged. “And yeah. You got yourself into that situation. I got us out.”
His words burrowed, spread, like a parasite. This was her fault, but not in the way he was implying. Shehadmade the decision to hire Blaine as her manager. Had trusted him, let him “rescue” her with marriage in a foreign country, believed he wasn’t capable of the very things he was doing. Had defended Blaine to the man she was falling for, all in the name of pride. Afraid of being found out.
She reallywasn’tgood enough for Cade.
“The point is you’re okay now.” Blaine’s tone gentled and he touched her arm. “And we’re doing everything we can to get you back in business. I’m here for you.”
She jerked away, angry at him. At herself. “You want to talk? Why don’t wetalkabout how you’ve been stealing my money?”
His show smile appeared, the one he used to negotiate deals with stubborn industry leaders. “Doll. I have no idea what you’re talking about. You wanted me to handle your money when you signed with me—so I made some investments.” He laughed. “You should be thanking me.”
She lifted her chin, grateful for the flowers that hid her trembling hands. “Investments I didn’t approve? In accounts I can’t access?”
Blaine waved one hand in the air. “I have all of that information, obviously. I’ll get it to you.”
“I’m sure. Like you were going to get our marriage handled?”
His confident expression flickered. “I told you, it takes time for?—”
“You filed a marriagecertificate, Blaine. Not an annulment request.”
“I know. That’s required for international?—”
“No, actually, it’s not.” She held his gaze, called his bluff.
His smile faltered. “How did you figure that out?”
“Isthatwhat’s important?” She raised her eyebrows. “Because I think it’s more important that I’m onto you. You’ve been lying to me for months. Maybe longer.”
He shook his head. The wind shifted, bringing the scent of burnt popcorn and corn dog batter wafting over them. “You have all of this wrong. I’m on your side.”
“No, I’m pretty sure I’m seeing it clearly for the first time.” Rosalyn tossed the bouquet on the ground. The breeze scattered broken petals across his loafers. “I know you never tried to get our marriage dissolved. I know you’re a liar. And I know you’re mishandling my money and making decisions for things I never authorized.”
His eyes narrowed. “Is that what you think?”
“That’s what Iknow.” She held his gaze, trying to ignore her throbbing pulse, her panic that Blaine might be even more unpredictable than she imagined. But bullies always backed down, didn’t they?
She squared her shoulders, ignoring the rushing in her ears. The fear threatening to claw her throat. “I want you to pay off my debt to whatever mob boss you borrowed it from, and then I’m out. You and I are done.”
His jaw set. “I’m afraid it’s not that easy.”
“It is for me.” She pointed to the broken flowers. “I know you came here to try to get back in my good graces. But that’s not going to happen.”
“Fine. Have it your way.” Blaine’s lips pressed into a thin line and he backed up, clearing her path to the tent. “But I’m actually here to save your life.”
* * *
