AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Stephen tugged at his collar.
“If you’re concerned about either of us hurting Allison, you don’t need to be. You should be more worried about Allison leaving broken hearts behind.”
Marigold had a feeling it wouldn’t just be Stephen and Leon having a broken heart. Allison was conflicted about her feelings for both of them, and Marigold knew she didn’t know who to pick. If it was her, she wouldn’t want to choose. Having the two guys would make it feel like she was in heaven.
As if she would be that lucky.
“If you don’t tell her, she’s not going to be aware of it, is she?”
“Trust me, Marigold, when you find yourself feeling very strongly about someone, you're going to struggle to find the words.”
Marigold looked across at her friend.
“You do know that this move might not actually happen. She hasn’t accepted the offer. They’ve given it to her, but Allison’s yet to accept it.”
“I heard something about it, but I thought that was just people talking.” Stephen looked bemused. “Has she really not accepted that job?”
“Not yet. I think she’s planning on waiting a few more days.” Marigold paused and sipped her drink. “Maybe she thinks she’s going to get a better incentive.”
“Has Darren offered her more to keep her, then?”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.”
Marigold watched as the emotions changed on Stephen’s face. It almost made her burst out laughing. His mouth fell open as he stared at her.
“Are you suggesting...?”
“I’m not suggesting anything. But maybe Allison’s expecting something to happen that might help her stay in Vancouver. She’s got two offers she doesn’t know about yet. How about letting her know they’re available?”
“Were Leon and I that obvious?”
“You could say that. Let’s just say I know what to look for.” Marigold smiled and touched his arm. “If it makes you feel any better, I don’t think she would be able to choose between either of you. Both of you are on an even playing field.”
Stephen undid his bowtie.
“It doesn’t really make me feel better. I can’t see how Leon and I telling Allison how we feel about her is going to stop her from leaving the club and the country.”
“You never know. If it’s the right incentive...”
Then Marigold saw two people entering the room. A tall, perfectly groomed man with blond hair and wearing a tuxedo like he had walked off the catwalk and a beautiful dark-haired woman wearing a gold dress clinging to her cleavage with a deep V between her breasts and a slit in her skirt going up to her hip. She did look stunning, and looked like the cat had got the cream.
Marigold’s heart sank.
“Oh, you have got to be kidding me.”
Trey was here. And he was walking in with Allison’s sister, Robyn.
Fuck. This was not going to be a good evening, after all.
#
Darren looked at himselfin the mirror, and wondered for the hundredth time how he had managed to get himself into this. This was the last time he played a drinking game with his housemates; they seemed to wipe the floor with him.
Now his punishment as the loser was to go out in the Santa costume and parade himself around the room for a while. Stephen had been bemused when Darren said he would split the time with him, but it looked like he was relieved he didn’t need to do it all evening. How he had managed to get talked into doing it, Darren had no idea.
Then again, how did any of them get talked into it? Marigold was going to think he was mad.
Maybe he was. Darren did a lot of stupid things when he was with his two closest friends, and they always managed to get him into situations he wished he could get out of. Hopefully, this would be the last time.
