AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My jaw aches from clenching it. This guy is impossible. “No. I can’t do it. I’m sorry.”
He says nothing, just stares at Oliver’s hand on my shoulder. Finally, he scratches the back of his head. “I don’t know what makes you think this is something you can just turn down. We need you, Sophie. And there’s the library petition to think of.” His voice isn’t cheerful anymore.
Yeah. That’s the risk of my refusal—getting on the council’s bad side and potentially harming any chances for a new library.
Oliver widens his stance. “And I don’t know why you’re not listening to Ms. Lawson. She said no and that’s final.” Oliver’s lips press together so hard the area above them goes white. “Besides, she couldn’t do it even if she wanted to.” He moves his hand to my elbow. “Because I’ve hired her to get some things ready for the resort’s grand opening in a month and she won’t have any spare time to do Longdale Days.”
I glance at him. Hired me?
Mr. Wallis stammers, his gaze on me hardening. “I can’t believe my son’s marrying you.”
I don’t know who looks more surprised. My almost former future father-in-law. Or Oliver.
Chapter 4
Oliver
Uh. Come again?
I look at Sophie in profile. Then I look at the jerk who is not only verbally abusive to her but has said something about Sophie marrying his son.
I look at Sophie again. She’s engaged? My hand now feels stiff against the silky fabric of her blouse. I should remove it because apparently I’m touching someone else’s fiancée. And my hand has just started sweating. I should drop it, but for some reason, I can’t.
Just one more thing I need to apologize to Sophie for.
Soph, sorry for sweating on this nice shirt of yours. Also, sorry for breaking a promise to you last year. Oh, and also? Sorry for the way my thoughts are freaking out about this new development.
Sophie’s engaged. She’s going to marry someone else. I steal a glance at her left hand. No ring. She doesn’t seem like the type who would forgo wearing an engagement ring because she likes jewelry.
And apparently she likes some dude enough to marry him.
Sophie’s eyes are dark, and she worries her lip. Finally, she speaks up. “You need to have a conversation with Troy, Mr. Wallis.”
She clears her throat and gives me a side glance. I don’t know how to read it. I used to be good at understanding all her expressions.
Why didn’t she tell me she’s engaged? How did I not know she was dating—in love with someone? We text almost every day, although the texts have slowed down some since I missed closing night.
At her glance, I drop my hand from her arm. No sweat stain from the faucet-like pores of my palm, thank goodness. But a strange whisper of betrayal pulses through my veins. Not because she’s involved with someone else, but because she didn’t tell me.
“Oliver Tate is right.” Her head points in my direction. “I’m too busy helping them prepare for the grand opening to take care of Longdale Days.”
It’s weird the way she emphasizes “Tate.” Like she’s wielding a dirty word.
The man’s hardened gaze goes from Sophie to me, his eyes boring into mine. I can see how he won his position on the county council.
“You’re one of the Tates, huh?” he asks.
“Yes, I am.” I pause. “And we’re in dire need of Ms. Lawson’s many talents, so good luck finding someone to chair Longdale Days.” I force a grin. “I’ll have our PR rep get ahold of you about Tate International becoming a sponsor. We’d love to contribute.”
Mr. Wallis’s face goes from anger, to confusion, to something like begrudged gratitude. He’s Sophie’s future father-in-law. My stomach drops. What’s going on with me? It’s not like I ever thought she and I would get married. I almost chuckle at the thought. Sophie’s the marrying kind, but I’ll let her have that life choice. Life is too short for me to do something like that. What good is having five brothers, if not for the security that at least a couple of them will marry and continue the Tate line?
“Sophie, I’ll talk to Troy.” His face is splotchy. “You don’t have to decide yet.”
Everything in her tightens up—her smile is soaked in antiseptic. He leaves and the air in the park feels strained, like there’s not enough oxygen. The altitude at Longdale never bothered me before.
But Sophie’s never been engaged before.
As I turn to her, she won’t meet my gaze. That’s when a slice of panic gets my heart racing. And then I’m disgusted with myself. What right do I have to be upset about Sophie getting married? We’ve never dated. We’ve never been on one single date. Those August meet-ups? Totally platonic.
