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Looking over her shoulder, she pierces me with dark eyes, now brimming with new tears. “Yes. We are.”
Without a second glance, she walks away, leaving me alone with Chastity, whose lips are pinched and glare is stone cold.
“Who was that?” Her demanding tone grates on my last nerve. This woman has acted like she’s had ownership over me from day one. Like it’s her right to order me around.
News flash, sweetheart—not anymore. “She’s none of your damn business.”
“Some strangewomanis in your office without an appointment, and you think it’s not my business?” The indignation she’s now wearing doesn’t seem fake, although it’s hard to tell when the rest of her seems so manufactured. “As your fiancée, I think I have a right.”
“The wedding’s off.” No point sugarcoating it. “The entire deal is done. I don’t want to marry you.”
“Who is she?”
“Christ, Chastity. Did you hear me?”
“Yes, I heard you. I just want to know who she is…who’s so much better than me that you’d break the agreement?”
I hang my head with a sigh. “Aren’t you sick of playing these ludicrous games? Getting married because our families made a deal? Is that really how you want to live your life?”
Her shoulders droop, and for the first time since I met her, she looks downright human.
So much so, I almost feel sorry for her. “I’m not trying to be an asshole here. I just think we both deserve to be with someone we care about. Someone we love.”
My gut tightens, the wordloveleaving me breathless.
Hell, am I in love with Lacy? I don’t know if I even believe in it, let alone am capable of it. Plus, I hardly know her.
But her supple curves, spitfire attitude, and steadfast determination sure do make me feelsomething. Add in the way she’s already fiercely protecting her child…ourchild.
Fuck, I’m a goddamn goner.
“Hey, Ridge.” Mack walks through the open door. “Oh, hey Chastity.”
She ignores the burly redhead blocking her exit, and her focus lasers in on me. “I get it. You think you’re better than I am.”
This woman really doesn’t know when to quit. “No,” I say honestly, “but I do think marrying you would be a mistake. Besides, you don’t really want me.”
“How on earth would you know what I want? You make all these assumptions, but not once ever tried to get to know me.”
“Well, I know you’ve got no interest in being a stepmom. And thatwomanwho just left here? She’s carrying my child.”
Mack mumbles something unintelligible and backs into the hallway, almost knocking over my sister Laken in the process.
Chastity’s mouth opens and closes a few times, and her hands strangle the purse strap slung over her shoulder.
It seems I’ve shocked her speechless.
“Look…” I turn my palms up to show I’m no threat and take a step toward her.
She snarls. “Fine.” And, turning on her heel, storms away, brushing past Mack and Laken as though they’re not there.
They both turn to me…well, no…Mack looks at me, but Laken’s eyes are glued to my best friend, like some lovesick little dove.
"What the hell do you want?” I snap.
His bushy eyebrows draw together in a frown. “Thought maybe you’d like to have lunch.”
“I was just coming to let you know there’s extra in the kitchen if you want some,” Laken gushes before rushing away with her face bright as a tomato.
