AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Whether she’s aware or not is another story.
Isabelle is still waiting to hear the details of the proposal. The one where Connor said he hadbetter ask me to marry him. The one where he slid the ring on my finger, told me another man should do this, then left me standing alone.
Alone.
Engaged.
Wondering what the hell I am doing.
I blink and focus back on my friends, then give them the story Connor and I agreed on.
“It was romantic. We were out on his yacht, cruising along the Hudson, the sun setting. We were in the back of the craft with a blanket over us, drinking champagne and listening to the sounds of the water,” I say, getting far more poetic than Connor had. “Then he just suddenly sat up, kissed me, and slid to his knees. It surprised me, of course. We had only been dating a brief time.”
Isabelle has little hearts in her eyes as she sighs.
Sienna narrows her eyes. “And you said yes that night? Wait, when did you go out on the boat?”
Shit.
She basically knows everything I do every day.
“Oh, well, it was the other weekend,” I lie.
“Didn’t you say he asked you last weekend?” she asks, looking increasingly disbelieving.
Crap.
“Maria, my sister,” a masculine voice says from behind me, and I spin around.
Cade?
Any distraction would’ve been good. But not this one. Not after hearing him discuss a marriage between me and Salvo. I hate that he hadn’t warned me. Or been on my side.
I guess I’m just upset with him, and I certainly don’t trust him.
I turn and force a smile, wondering what he’s doing here? Did he follow me?
“Cade?” I say, trying to get down off my stool, but he’s crowding me. I glance at George, who pushes away from the bar and makes his way over to me with haste.
“Step away from Ms. Mancini, please, sir.”
“Oh my God.” Isabelle gasps dramatically. “Are you mobsters?”
Jesus, Isabelle, no.
“Yes, ma’am. Big dangerous baddies.” Cade smirks, shooting his men standing behind him a grin, then shifts his eyes back to me, completely ignoring George. “Mia, you need to stop this nonsense and come home.”
Despite George’s presence, I wish Connor was here. I know the marriage is a sham, but I don’t like that Cade’s calling it nonsense. I have no doubt my fake fiancé would have something to say to Cade, if he ever had the nerve to say it to Connor’s face.
Does Cade really expect me to grab my purse and say,You’re right, I’m an idiot. Let’s go.
He’s an idiot.
“Is this your brother?” Sienna asks as George says, “Sir, I need you to please take a step back.”
My eyes dart around, aware this is about to escalate. I am furious my friends are going to witness all of this because my brother can’t keep his nose out of my business. I hate that they’re nervous...Well, except Isabelle, who is thrilled by it all.
“Cade—” I start.
