AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I need to accept that.
Moving on will help me.
“I’m going in,” I tell Ellie.
“No! Do not make me drive up there and drag you out as if I were your mother! I won’t allow you to make an ass of yourself.”
“Good-bye, bestie.”
She’s still threatening me when I hang up.
Eyes are pinned to me when I walk into the pub, and I focus on bringing one foot in front of the other, fearful of tripping. I’m light-headed before even reaching Maliki.
I should be happy.
I’m engaged!
“Well, well, look who it is,” Maliki deadpans, meeting me at the front of the bar as if he’s been waiting for me. “The future Mrs. Kinda Sorta.”
“Not funny,” I grumble, dropping onto a stool.
“You know what else isn’t funny? Marrying someone you don’t love.” His lips curl back in disgust. “But hey, what do I know about love? I’ve never had a healthy relationship like you where I break up with a person a few dozen times.” His response is precisely how I imagined.
I sigh, my shoulders rolling forward. “It’s complicated.”
“Complicated?” His eyes widen. “He proposed. You said yes. And, now, you’re wearing a diamond on your finger. That isn’t complicated, Sierra.”
I can’t stop myself from drifting my hand upward and admiring the ring. Devin did a fantastic job. The view of Maliki’s bitter smile when I look back at him erases all the happiness of my new accessory.
“In fact, why don’t I make you a celebratory drink? What about The Heartbreaker? That’s the future of your joke of a marriage.”
My eyes burn, and a tear slips from the corner of my eye. My hair conceals that side of my face, so I don’t bother wiping it. He can’t know he’s not the only one doubting this marriage.
“Don’t, okay?” I muster out.
He lifts his arms and snarls. “Don’t what? Tell you you’re stupid for saying yes? I don’t fucking lie, Sierra.” He stops and drops his voice when he notices people are staring. “If you want someone to believe in your sham of a relationship, it won’t be me.” He slams his hand down on the bar and backs away. “When’s the big day? According to what I’ve heard, you’re putting something together quick.”
I nod and level my eyes on him. “It’ll be a short engagement.”
He cringes and comes closer. “Holy shit, you’re pregnant. You’re pregnant, and your parents are forcing you to marry him.”
“What?” I shriek. “No!” I hold my hand out and control my breathing. “Look, my mother hasn’t been this happy in years.Years, Maliki.”
“Buy her a fucking puppy. Don’t marry someone to make her happy. That’s the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard.”
“Maliki,” I breathe out.
“I have a job to get back to. Enjoy the married life.”
* * *
Maliki isn’t here tonight.
That’s odd.
He always works Friday nights.
Mikey is running one side of the bar, and Liz is working the other. Liz has made it clear she doesn’t support my closing parties with Maliki. Well, mypastclosing parties with Maliki, given we haven’t talked in weeks.
