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That’s absurd. There is no way she is jealous of me. What is there to be jealous of? She lived a great life up until the last few years, when my stepfather’s gambling addiction got worse.
I look at him, baffled. “No, she’s not.”
“She is. That’s why you get the most backlash from her.” He runs his fingers through his hair. “As long as she doesn’t disrespect you in my presence, she and I will get along fine.”
His phone rings at that moment and he answers, not taking his eyes off me.
“Yes, me and my wife can be there. We’ll see you around eight.” Jasper presses the End Call button.
“Who was that?”
“Frost, one of the board members of Uncle James’s company. He was letting me know what time to meet them, and the restaurant we’re going to.” He wraps his arms around my shoulders, tucking me close to him.
“I’m glad I picked the right person for this marriage,” Jasper says, completely out of the blue. “No one has lit up my world the way you do.”
Poppy
The next afternoon, I wait in line for my cup of coffee. The queue is sluggish, and I need to get back to the office soon because my lunch break is almost over. This is the only coffee shop I love because their drinks are strong. Kind of reminds me of coffee in Seattle.
I brush off my black coat and pencil skirt as I stand behind a gigantic guy who’s blocking my view of the menu.
Someone taps me on the shoulder, and I twist around to find Link hovering over me. He scowls at me as if I’m a child as he folds his arms across his chest.
I swallow loudly, and annoyance overtakes my chest. I do not want to deal with his bullshit right now. I haven’t forgotten about his threat the last time we spoke, and usually I make sure Michael is with me all times, but I told him to stay in the car because it was a quick run.
Today must not be my lucky day.
Bags hang low under Link’s eyes, he looks like shit. His suit looks like he slept in it for days and his hair is a rat’s nest. I try to remain cool as the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. He eyes my wedding ring, and I fight the urge to hide it behind my back. It doesn’t matter if he saw it, it’s not like I care what he thinks anymore. The more I stare at him, the more I feel pity for him. He’s broken and the light within him is now dim, but that doesn’t mean he has to dim mine too.
“I saw your wedding on the cover of a magazine. It was beautiful.”
My wedding was talked about for almost a month, everyone was calling it the wedding of the century.
I’m grateful we’re in public because if he tries to do something, there will be witnesses. He has bad anger issues. He’ll never put his hand on me, but when things didn’t go his way while we were together, he’d punch the wall or throw shit.
Thankfully the line moves, and I finally make it to the counter.
I order myself a tall latte with vanilla and Link orders himself an espresso.
“You only married him so you can help your stepfather’s business. Jimmy told me.” Of course, my brother told him. What a big mouth. He has no loyalty to anyone but himself. “You don’t love him the way you love me.” There is hope in his eyes, and I don’t like it.
I don’t like the way he thinks I’m stupid enough to fall for his shit.
“Loved. I don’t love you anymore, and I’m married to someone else. This conversation is inappropriate, Link,” I snap.
“Let’s talk somewhere private,” he says, downing his espresso.
I don’t want to, but if I don’t hear him out, he won’t let it go, and I don’t want to cause a scene. If the paparazzi spot me with him, they will drag my name through the mud. All it takes is for someone to start digging and connect the dots, but I need to be in public with him.
I yank my hood over my head. “We can walk around the block.”
The way his eyebrows crease tells me he doesn’t like my answer, but I don’t care. I don’t trust him.
SoHo is usually busy, so as long as it’s crowded and there are people around I have nothing to worry about. The tension is thick and unpleasant. Being near him makes me nervous, makes me feel as if I’m walking on eggshells.
He stops to stare into my eyes, and a hint of anger flares in his pupils. “Why would you want someone like him? You can do better than him.”
I roll my eyes. “It’s my choice, Link. And it doesn’t concern you. Why are you concerned with who I married? You weren’t concerned with our relationship when you stepped out on me. You weren’t concerned about my feelings when you slept with one of my so-called friends. And you damn sure weren’t concerned about my emotions when I begged you to love me.”
