The Risk: A Billionaire Romance (Wagered Hearts Series, Book 2) (22 page)

“Whoa, slow down there. I don’t want you to get too drunk tonight,” he said. His eyes were full of meaning as he looked at me and I felt like a giant pit had formed in my stomach. Now was the time to do it. I couldn’t let him have the opportunity to actually propose. I had to cut him off before he even attempted it. It would save us both from the humiliation and awkwardness.

“Listen Chad,” I began.

He shushed me with his finger held against his lips. I watched with dread as he pushed back from his seat, reached his hand in his jacket and pulled out a small black velvet box. He got on one knee in front of me and looked up with hopeful eyes. My face went pale and I thought I was going to be sick. Before he could utter a word, I stood up and rushed out to the ladies room.

Once inside I collapsed against the door and tried to take deep breaths as my heart pounded in my chest. I don’t know how long I stayed crouched against the door, but I just knew I couldn’t go back out there. I seriously debated slipping out and leaving the restaurant, but knew that would be too cowardly. I had to man up and end it.

When I was feeling a little more composed, I stood up and walked over to the sink. I still looked a little pale, and there were slight shadows under my eyes from a lack of sleep the past few nights, but otherwise I couldn’t complain. I was glad I hadn’t cried and had mascara streaming down my face. And then I sort of hated myself for caring about my appearance at a time like this.

I had to be firm and resolute. I made a face in the mirror in what I thought was determined yet compassionate expression, but I looked like a squinty-eyed duck instead. Just go out there and get it over with, I told myself. I knew I was just wasting time, but my feet felt like they weighed five hundred pounds. I heard a faint knocking on the door and snapped my head in that direction.

“Hey, Mel. Are you all right in there?” I heard Chad’s voice ask through the door.

“Um…yeah…I’m fine. Just give me a minute,” I called back. I looked around me frantically, for what, I didn’t know. Maybe an escape hatch or a secret portal—something that would save me from having to deal with this situation, but I knew that was impossible. Taking a deep breath I walked over to the door and opened it. Chad stood there leaning against the frame looking pensive.

“Sorry about that,” I said.

“It’s all right. I guess I should have expected it,” he said a little ruefully.

“Chad, I think we really need to talk.”

“I thought you might,” he replied. “Come on, let’s get out of here first. I already paid the check. I hope you don’t mind. I’d rather not go back out there and face the curious stares of the other customers.”

“No, that’s great actually. I wasn’t looking forward to it either.” Once we were outside of the restaurant, I turned to Chad. “I’m sorry. I don’t think this is going to work,” I blurted. “I don’t want to hurt you but I just…I don’t feel the same as I used to. I think you’re a wonderful guy—”

“Don’t,” he said, holding up his hand and stalling me. “I’m not a great guy. I’m a selfish guy. If I were so great, I’d have realized how wonderful you were before leaving you,” he said a little wistfully. “But I don’t want you to feel bad about this at all. It’s not your fault. I knew you probably weren’t ready for any of this yet,” he said waving his hand in front of him. “But I just hoped, you know? And then when your mom hinted to me that you had been talking about getting married, well, I just took her word for it and rushed out to get the ring.”

“Wait what? When did you talk to my mother?”

“A few days ago. She said you’d been talking about our future together and how you mentioned wanting to spend the rest of your life with me. I should have known she was wrong. After all, you can barely stand for me to kiss you, but wishful thinking, you know?” he said shrugging his shoulders.

“I’m so sorry if my mother gave you the wrong impression, but I never said that to her. I don’t know why she would even tell you that,” I said.

I was bewildered and a little upset that my mother had actually encouraged Chad to propose to me. She stepped over the line with her interference. The more I thought about it the angrier I got. Not only was she playing with my life, but Chad’s too. He could have been saved a lot of trouble and humiliation if my mother hadn’t butted her nose in, thinking she always knew best.

“I guess it doesn’t really matter now,” he said.

We both stopped walking and I looked up and around us at our surroundings. I’d been so lost in the conversation and my own thoughts, I hadn’t realized we’d walked so far. We were just outside my office building.

“I should get going now. I just want you to know that you’re a great girl, Mel, and I wish you all the happiness in the world. I just wished I could have been the one to give it to you but…anyways,” he said, his voice cracking. “I’ll leave you here then.” He gave me a kiss on the cheek before turning and walking back the way we came. I stood outside on the sidewalk for a while, overwhelmed by everything that had happened tonight.

My heart broke for Chad, but there was nothing I could do for him. I knew in time, he’d get over it, just as I had gotten over him. My mother on the other hand, was another story. It didn’t make any sense that she’d hint to Chad that I wanted to marry him. What was she playing at? I wondered. And why was it so important to her for Chad and I to be together?

It was already past 8pm and I had half a mind to march into the building and straight to my mother’s office to demand answers. Then I realized she was probably out of the office already, and any answers I wanted would have to wait until the morning.

I didn’t know what was wrong with me. I had a perfectly beautiful woman in front of me who’d been making eyes at me all night, and I couldn’t go through with it.

“So, what do you say we go back to your place?” she asked in her deep sultry voice.

“Maybe another night sweetheart,” I said, giving her a tight smile.

Since the night of the launch party, I’d gone on several more “dates” with Emilia. She was pretty, fun, and not very demanding of my undivided attention. I knew all she wanted was to be seen and photographed with me. It was enough for her that the papers were speculating about our relationship. Normally, I would shy away from such blatant publicity, but for some reason, I really didn’t mind now. I actually made it a point to go out with Emilia, and if a photographer happened to be close by, I’d smile at her or grab her hand. Maybe deep down I hoped Mel would see the photos and realize what she let slip away.

I shook my head. It always came back to Mel. Damn her. I didn’t know what hold she had over me, but I just couldn’t shake her from my mind. No other woman had ever had that effect on me. Not even the beautiful and alluring Emilia Holliday. She pouted at me with her full pink lips and then laughed.

“I see how it is,” she said, eyeing me keenly.

“And how is it?” I asked, pretending to sound interested. In truth, I was a little tired of the charade. It’d been diverting at first, but not even her charms could pull me out of my funk. I was growing bored and weary of the pretense and the effort it took to look and sound interested. All I wanted was to…I didn’t even know. All I knew was something had to change.

“You’re in love with someone else,” she stated.

It took all my effort to school my features so that I didn’t show any hint of surprise. I had no idea she was so perceptive or that I had been so obvious with my feelings.

“It’s true, isn’t it?” she said triumphantly.

“Would that make you happy if it were?” I asked.

She was silent and looked thoughtful for a moment before answering. “I don’t suppose it makes that much of a difference to me one way or another,” she said. “Though, I guess we’d have to end our little…uh…partnership if you were. Unless—”

“Ryan! What a coincidence running into you here,” a voice called from behind. I turned my head to see Rob and Stella making their way over to our table.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I hope we’re not interrupting anything,” Stella said, eyeing us apologetically. “I told Rob we shouldn’t bother you.”

“Nonsense! We’re all friends here,” Rob said. He held out his hand to Emilia and smiled, “I’m Rob Benedict, a friend of Ryan’s. And this is my sister, Stella.”

“So nice to meet you,” Emilia said, giving Rob an appraising look.

I took a sip from my water to hide the smile that was threatening to break free. Already, I could see the wheels turning in Emilia’s head as she sized Rob up. She had already moved on to her next target, and I couldn’t say that I was upset or even surprised by it. In fact, I wished her luck. Judging by the dumbstruck look on Rob’s face she probably didn’t need it.

“What are you two doing back in town? I thought you were in London?” I asked.

“We just got back, actually. Our parents came with us, though,” Stella answered, a glint of amusement lighting her eyes.

Rob finally tore his eyes away from Emilia and grimaced at me. “It’s been bloody awful, mate,” he said. “I thought I’d left my mother’s apron strings behind when I moved out of the house, but she’s been worse than usual with all this talk about weddings. I’ve half a mind to head back to London if I didn’t think she’d follow me there.”

“Oh? Is someone getting married?” Emilia asked.

“My cousin Roman is,” Stella answered.

“How lovely! I just love weddings,” Emilia gushed prettily. Even though I knew it was all an act, I still had to marvel at and admire her talent. It was no surprise why she was one of the most sought after actresses in Hollywood. She really was quite believable when she wanted to be.

“Yes, well, you might think differently if that’s all that’s been shoved down your throat for the past few months,” Rob grumbled under his breath.

“Listen, Helen’s planning on throwing a house party next weekend at my beach house in the Hamptons. Why don’t you two come by and just relax for a little while, before the wedding. A sort of calm before the storm,” I suggested.

“That sounds like a brilliant plan,” Rob said, seizing on the idea. “Lord knows I could certainly use the break.”

“Thank you, that sounds lovely,” Stella said more reservedly.

“Great. I’ll see you two next weekend then,” I said. “And if you see Roman before I do, please extend the invitation to him and Lily. I’m sure they’re about to tear their hair out too.”

“That’s no less than what they’d deserve,” Rob muttered.

Stella punched his arm and gave him a scathing look, before composing herself and turning back to us. “We’ll be sure to do that,” she said. “We should let you two get back to your dinner now. It was great running into you.” She tugged on Rob’s arm to get his attention and they said their goodbyes.

“I’ll be happy to see some familiar faces at the house party next weekend,” Emilia said, keeping her eyes on Rob and Stella’s retreating forms. I looked up at her, my eyes widened. “Oh, don’t look at me like that,” she said. “Helen invited me a week ago. It’s all she can talk about. I’m not a stalker, you know.”

“I never thought you were,” I said, trying to hide my earlier reaction.

“Besides, you need my help.”

“How so?”

“I’ve decided what you need to do to win over your lady love.”

“And what’s that?” I asked more curious than annoyed at her presumption.

“Make her jealous,” she said.

“I thought that’s what I was doing. It doesn’t seem to have worked,” I admitted in spite of myself.

“You haven’t been trying hard enough. Don’t worry, now that I know what’s at stake, I’ve got a plan.”

“Thank you for your offer, but it’s quite unnecessary. She’s no longer available.”

“That’s no reason to give up. As long as she’s breathing you’ve still got a chance,” Emilia said, undeterred.

I sat back and crossed my arms over my chest, examining the surprising woman sitting before me. She had hidden depths I’d never expected. I marveled at her perseverance and was debating whether or not to take her up on her offer. I didn’t normally like to discuss my personal life with others, much less get them involved, but her offer was tempting. Then I remembered Mel had already made her choice. She could very well be engaged to Chad right now. There was no point in pretending or playing games.

“I wish you were right,” I said. “But I have to refuse. It’s a bit…complicated.”

“Are you sure? I can be quite convincing.”

“I don’t doubt that. But I think your effort would be wasted.”

I arrived into work the next morning after the disastrous proposal dinner with Chad feeling and looking like hell. I’d been up all night tossing and turning in my bed wondering what my mother was thinking. Why would she even hint to Chad that I was ready to marry him again when I’d never mentioned anything of the sort to her?

At first, I was fuming—angry at her interference and presumption; then I began making excuses again. Maybe she thought those were my wishes? Maybe she was just trying to look out for me? After all, I’d made it no secret before how I thought Chad was the love of my life. She might have just assumed I still felt that way.

When I got to my cubicle, Candace was already there. She turned around once she heard me, an unsettled expression on her face.

“If I were you, I’d turn around and walk right back out to where you came from,” she said.

I took a seat and scooted closer towards her. “Why? What’s going on?” I asked, confusion etching across my face.

“Your mother’s been on an epic rage all morning. The beast is back,” she said.

I felt my stomach drop at her words. Since getting back with Chad, my mother had actually been kinder and gentler, not only to myself, but to the rest of the staff. She hadn’t been on one of her famous rages for weeks, but hearing the news that it was back was troubling. Deep down, I knew it had to do with Chad and me. How she already knew about our break up was still a mystery to me, but I was sure she knew. She seemed to know everything.

“Should I be scared?” I tried to play it off lightly, but it sounded fake to my own ears.

“We should all be scared. I swear, I need to find a better job,” she whispered.