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“You’re mad at me, aren’t you.” It’s not a question. He sounds so defeated, my heart is breaking for him. For me. My anger is slowly evaporating, turning more on my mother, which I know is pointless. She’s my mom. I won’t be angry with her forever.
Gage hangs his head, closing his eyes as he breathes deep. “I’m so sorry, Marina. I shouldn’t have done it like this. Imade a mistake. I know you can’t trust me, but now I’m starting to wonder if I can’t trust you either.”
“Do you mean because of the video?” I ask him, my voice barely above a whisper. I can’t believe it. He’s that mad about the video?
“Yeah.” He nods, opening his eyes to stare at me. “You should’ve told me.”
“Right back at you,” I automatically say.
We stand in front of each other, the both of us silent, as if we’re waiting for the other to say something. Anything.
But neither of us do.
Finally he turns and leaves without another word. Just strides out of my office like I never existed and walks right out of my life.
Only after he’s gone do I collapse into my chair, resting my head on my desk as I sob into the pile of overdue invoices that still haunt me.
Gage
You’re still going through with it.” Archer sounds incredulous.
“I am,” I mutter, watching the company I hired repaint the café walls. “She’s given up on this place, but I won’t.”
Two weeks after our big blowup, she hung the closed sign in the door and shut down Autumn Harvest for good. I was stunned. Marina’s no quitter. I have no idea what’s come over her, and since she refuses to see me, I guess I’ll never find out.
Luckily enough she still talks to Ivy, who keeps me fully informed. She says Marina’s considering going back to schoolso she can get her master’s degree. But this time, she’d like to travel elsewhere. Maybe go to an East Coast school. Start over with a fresh new life. I know what she’s really referring to. She’d rather start over.
Without me.
I’ve taken over the business completely. Hell, I own it, so I can do whatever I want to it, right? I had new appliances installed, including a new oven, and I consulted Gina as to which I should purchase.
When I got off the phone with her, she called me Smart Boy—and in the same breath, a total dumbass. I’d reached both the pinnacle of approval and the absolute bottom of disappointment, all at once with Aunt Gina.
“It’s going to look pretty damn amazing,” Archer says, glancing around the room, which is still under a massive construction overhaul. “Ivy’s been keeping me posted.”
“How’s she feeling?” We’re both a pair of overprotective males watching out for her and I know she hates it. Yet she likes it too, all at the same time.
“Feeling a little better, not so queasy. The morning sickness is what’s taking her down so hard. Plus she’s so tired.”
“I know. She tried to get me to let her come for this, but I told her no way. I didn’t want her inhaling the fumes,” I say.
“Good call.” Archer exhales loudly before he turns to me. “Have you spoken to her?”
“Who? Ivy?”
“No, jackass. Marina. When was the last time you talked to her?”
“Not since we split.” I shrug, acting like it’s no big deal, but not having her as a part of my life feels like I’m missing a piece of me.
I fucking hate it.
“Seriously? And I thoughtIwas stubborn.” He shakes his head, looking ready to launch into a big ol’ speech, and I brace myself. “Look, you need to go to her and tell her you’re sorry. Ivy goes and sees her all the time and she says she’s miserable.”
“She never tells me that. Ivy acts like Marina’s just fine.”
“Yeah, well, I think she’s trying to spare your feelings or worry or whatever. She’s not fine. She’s a wreck and plans on leaving to go to college across the country so she can escape her mother. She misses you. Not that you’re supposed to know that.” Archer points at me.
I keep my expression blank. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
