“My mother and sister will be there,” he drones on. “And other people, too.”
“I don’t give a fuck if the Pope, Jesus, and Mohammad show up.” I wave him off from my seat.
“Do you have to cuss like that?”
“Fuck yeah, I have to fucking cuss like that. Don’t like it? Fucking dump me.”
“Fine. Go in there and act a fool. You’re the one who will be embarrassed, not me. Or would you prefer that your mother not get the surgery?”
My nostrils flare, and other than muttering jackass under my breath, I don’t give him the sharp retort he deserves. My mother getting out of that chair is more important to me than getting one over on this asshole. When this is over, I’m the one who will have everything.
He pulls into the parking lot of Paulene’s, and I’m shocked to see that the parking lot is nearly full.
“I thought you got this for a private party?” I do my best to sound almost bored, but I love a party. I love the food, the ambiance, and especially the music and dancing. I will ignore his ass all night and spend time with my girls.
“I did.”
“Then why are all these cars here?”
“For us,” he announces, and my eyes narrow. “Don’t do that. You’ll go cross-eyed.”
“Well, I’m sure you and your money would fix it. Maybe you can blackmail another year of marriage out of me.”
“Another year?” He laughs until he snorts. “Okay.” He shakes his head as if I’m the delusional one. “Remember that my mother is here.” I arch an eyebrow at him. He opens his door, but I have mine open before he can get to my side.
He helps me out and tucks my arm into his. It’s a cold February night, and the long, layered skirt swooshes around my ankle.
We step inside Paulene’s, and the place looks different from the last time I was here. There’s one long table in the middle and small round tables all around. The place is decorated in silver, but I’m too busy looking for my friends to take in my surroundings.
The room erupts in cheers when they see us. Daxton puts his arm around my waist as if he’s a proud husband to be, and pulls me close.
“When the hell did you plan this?” The day after he blackmailed me, there was an announcement of our engagement in the town paper. It was everywhere before I even woke up the next morning. My phone rang so much, I had to turn it off, and that was only a few days ago.
The supposed wedding is a week from tomorrow. Dax told me he had it under control, so I didn’t ask any questions. I plan to show up in my grungiest pair of white sweatpants and a matching sweatshirt.
The engagement announcement said that Daxton Hunt, though not a resident of Shadow Cove, is a silent partner in many businesses in this town. He’s credited with ensuring that Shadow Cove is a thriving community.
I initially thought we were going to the courthouse, but now I’m not so sure. My gut is telling me he planned somethingglamorous. And that can only mean he’s been working on this for a lot longer than just a few days. There’s no way he could put together this party and a wedding on such short notice, no matter how much money he has.
That’s another thing I don’t know. His pockets run deep, but I don’t know how deep. What I do know is that I’ll spend money until he either grants me a divorce or goes broke.
I take both his hands in mine and look into his deceptive little eyes.
“When did you plan this?” I smile so that the guests will think we’re just a couple having a short conversation. “You couldn’t have done all of this a few days ago.”
He bends down and presses his lips to mine.
“Oh, Bella, I can’t reveal all my secrets, can I?” His eyes light up in mischief, and his lips twitch,
“When?” I press.
“That’s for me to know.”
“You trapped me.”
“You trapped yourself.”
The conversation ends when we are inundated with guests. I grab a flute of champagne from a passing server, but his mother runs to us and takes me in her arms. I melt and hold on to her. She pulls away and kisses my cheek.
