AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Nothing good comes from mixing work and feelings. I learned that the hard way.
But I couldn’t stand idly by as my friend was being humiliated in front of dozens of people. The moment I saw panic flood into her face, all my rational thoughts ran off course. I had to fix it.
“Mom,” Molly implores. “Please, let me explain.”
Vivian Greene looks tyrannical. She gives her daughter a sour look, clearly conveying that Molly will be the one to pay for my uncharacteristic act of chivalry.
Why isn’t she out there grilling Lance for embarrassing her daughter?
“You have five minutes, Molly—five—to break it off with Mr. Hudson of Massachusetts and get back out there to reconcile with Lance. We need to clean up this nightmare you’ve created.”
“No.” Molly’s lip trembles. The same plump lip that was just pressed against mine.
“What do you meanno?” Vivian snaps.
“We’re in love,” I chime in.Why am I unable to keep my mouth shut?The only people I’m this protective of are my family, yet today’s events have brought out a side of me I’ve never known.
“That may or may not be true, but my daughter is engaged to Lance Bradbury.” Vivian shoots Molly a seething glare. “And she should be out there, acting like his fiancée.”
“No, Mom, please listen.” Molly looks smaller than she usually does. Younger, even. I suppose we are ten years apart, yet I’ve rarely felt that difference until now.
“This deal with the Bradburys is important to your father, to our business,” Vivian bites out.
“I understand that, but my trust allows a love match.” Molly tries to steady the tremble in her voice.
How many clauses are in this trust?
“We already discussed this. Now come.” Vivian turns toward the door. Molly remains stuck to her spot on the library floor.
“Don’t you care that Lance was caught with the caterer? At our wedding shower?”
Molly hasn’t mentioned her fiancé much. There was always something that felt off about their relationship. Lance never came as a plus-one to the office events she organized. I assumed he was a busy guy, and he is…just not with work.
Vivian’s exterior seems to fracture, as if she’s finally hearing her daughter. “You know we’ve—” She shoots me a look and lowers her voice before turning back to Molly. “Your family is counting on you.”
“I love Matthew.” Molly utters the words out loud. I force myself to ignore the brief spark they ignite in my chest.
“If I may interject here.” I clear my throat. “When I saw your daughter today, it made me realize I’ve been head over heels for her since we first met. I had to act.”
Vivian addresses Molly.“What is this need toact? Have you been sneaking off to meet with this man?”
“N-no, of course not,” she stammers.
“We’ve been respectful of the arranged engagement, but I know we’re both certain about our feelings. It was only a matter of time before we felt ready to tell you,” I lie.
“This is not the time nor the place for this. Molly, you need to get yourself together and fix things with Lance.” Vivian spears her pointer finger into the air. “Remember where your loyalties lie. You have five minutes, and I expect to see you out there.”
Molly fidgets with the ring on her finger, an extensive stone on a plain silver band, and watches her mother leave.
Maybe I haven’t quite pieced together how opposite our lives are.
Hell, her fiancé’s family owns a townhouse in Tribeca with a library of antiquarian books and a shelf filled with pristine first-edition classics.
Molly’s eyes are glassy as she gives me a skeptical look. My heart aches. I hate seeing her like this. “Is twenty-five million dollars enough for you to marry me?”
“As I said, it’s not a big deal to me.” Love has been off the table for so many years, I can barely recall how it feels. But this is Molly. My friend. It won’t get messy. “We can figure it out.”
Sure, I’m an entrepreneur with a cozy five-bedroom home in the suburbs of Greenwich. I paid off my mortgage. I invest in start-ups. All in all, I’ve done well for myself.
