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“Collins, what’s wrong?”
“Do you think this can work? I mean, on paper, this shouldn’t work. Shit, his dad isn’t accepting of this relationship. I mean, Victor is more suited to someone like you than for me. Massey, what if he sees the differences are too much there, and he wants a high-class woman who can work a country club setting?” I say without a breath. I huff at the flood of anxiety. It felt good to get it out and off my chest.
“Well, here’s the thing… you are stupid.”
I breathe a nervous laugh. “Interesting response. Baring my emotions, and you call me stupid.”
“Listen and listen well. I don’t think he would do anything he didn’t want to do. I’ve heard briefly about the falling out with his dad.” She tries to ease my fears. She holds up a picture of us and her manicured finger taps on Victor’s face. “Look at how happy you make him. He’s just as far gone in this relationship as you are. Seriously, he’s just as stubborn as you, too.”
My eyes water as her words soothe the ache of anxiety.
“You hold your ground, he holds his. He’s also used to women adjusting to his way of life and following his lead. You’ve never cared what anyone else thinks. This is your life, period,” she explains. “He sees the value in a person like you. You don’t overstep or look at him as a meal ticket. You show him what’s important in life. In return, you don’t expect him to take care of you. That’s a relief to a guy like him. He actually wants to provide for you and you push back and turn it into a partnership. Even though you are poor as dirt.”
There she is, there is my best friend. “True.”
“This will only work if you want it to work.”
“I do. I really want this to work.”
“Then fuck everything else. You guys will be fine.”
I have to shake my head at Massey. I stand and hug her. “Thanks.”
“Always,” she whispers. “Big waves…”
“Big rewards.” I respond.
We walk back to the living room and Lawson jogs over to Massey, immediately taking her hand in his. He walks them back into the small crowd of people. Then Victor notices our presence and cautiously approaches.
“Baby?”
“I’m good. I promise. Now, let’s go give these people food poisoning.”
His concerned face turns to excitement.
“Lead the way.” He gestures.
Everyone takes a seat around the big dining room table, settling in. As we reach for the dishes in the middle of the table, the doorbell rings.
“Who could that be?” I turn to ask Victor. He looks suspicious.
“So, I did a thing.”
Victor launches himself from the table and rushes to the door. He takes a moment, looking back at all of us before reaching for the door handle. When the door opens, I understand why he was cautious. This is like opening Pandora’s box.
“Oh, shit,” Massey, Lawson, and I say at the same time.
This can go bad quickly.
Chapter 23
Collins
What the hell was Victor thinking? The entire table sits with their mouths gaped open at the sight of Taylor standing in the foyer, staring at us. His smile drops, and I realize he didn’t know that we didn’t know he was coming.
“Hey, thanks for coming. You are right on time.” Victor guides him toward us.
“Thanks for having me,” Taylor quips.
