by Sandi Lynn
“I’m really glad you’re here.” Her eyes swelled with tears.
“Bella, what’s wrong?”
“Thaddeus didn’t go on a business trip. We broke up and he moved out.”
“Aw, sweetie. I’m sorry. What happened?”
“I just wasn’t happy. I haven’t told Mom and Dad yet, so please don’t say anything.”
I reached over and took hold of her hands.
“I won’t say anything. If you weren’t happy, you did the right thing by breaking it off.”
“Mom and Dad are going to be pissed. They loved him.”
“Who cares. Your life isn’t their life. You have to do what’s best for you, not them.”
“I know.” She sniffled as she wiped the tear from her cheek. “I always admired you, Laurel. You are so strong and don’t give a damn what anyone thinks, especially our parents. I really look up to you.”
“That’s sweet, little sister, but I’m not as strong as you think I am.” My eyes filled with tears.
I told her about Wyatt, and the both of us sat and cried together. For the first time, I felt connected to my sister.
The next morning, we hopped into Bella’s car and decided to stop and grab some breakfast first since we had a four-hour drive back to our childhood home.
“Have you ever eaten at Sarabeth’s?” Bella asked.
“No. Is the food good?”
“Oh my God! It’s on the Upper East Side and they have the most amazing coconut pancakes.”
“Sounds delicious. I love coconut and pancakes.” I grinned.
She parallel parked along the curb and we walked a few feet down the sidewalk until we reached Sarabeth’s. I stopped dead in my tracks as we passed the window and I saw Wyatt sitting at a table with another woman.
“Laurel, what’s wrong?” she asked.
I placed my hand over my rapidly pounding heart and a sickness fell inside me.
“Wyatt’s here.”
“Shit. We’ll go somewhere else.” She grabbed my hand and started pulling me along.
“No. We’re going to eat here. I want coconut pancakes and I’m having them. I’m not letting Mr. Wyatt Coleman keep me from that. I’ll just pretend I don’t see him.”
“Are you sure? I think it’s best we go somewhere else.”
“I’m positive.”
I took in a long deep breath before entering the restaurant and kept my eyes away from him. The band aid that was over my heart while it was trying to heal was torn off and the wound reopened, leaving me in more pain than before. Seeing him with that redhead who looked to be at least ten years older than him made my blood boil. The hostess started to seat us in a booth that was across from them.
“Excuse me. No. No. No. We cannot sit there. Perhaps you have a table over on this side.” I pointed.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t seat you in that section.”
“Why not? There are plenty of tables available.”
“But there’s only one waitress on that side and she already has more tables than she should.”
“Listen,” I looked at her name tag on her uniform, “Courtney, for reasons I can’t explain, I cannot sit at that booth. In fact, I need to be as far away from that table where the hot and sexy man and the redhead are sitting. Got it?” I arched my brow.
“Oh. I think I do. Are you his mistress and that’s his wife?” she asked with a whisper.
“Yeah. Sure. That’s it. So please seat us somewhere else.”
“Okay. I understand.”
As soon as Bella and I placed our order, I needed to use the restroom.
“Do you know where the restrooms are?” I asked her. “And please don’t tell me they’re on the other side of the restaurant? Because if they are, I can hold it.”
She let out a light laugh. “They’re down that hallway right there. The first door on the left is the women’s.”
“I’ll be right back.”
After I washed my hands, I dried them off, and when I opened the door to step out, Wyatt nearly knocked me over.
“I’m sor—” He looked at me in shock. “Laurel? What are you doing here?”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. My knees began to shake as his scent infiltrated the small narrow space.
“Wyatt?” I looked at my watch. “Shouldn’t you be at the office?” I asked, as I needed to play it cool.
“I’m here meeting someone for breakfast,” he replied and the sickness inside me grew. “You didn’t answer my question. What are you doing back in New York?”
Frankly, it was none of his damn business why I was here. I didn’t owe him shit. Especially an explanation. He was nothing to me but a man I interviewed for a magazine article.
“I’m here with my sister. It was good to see you, Wyatt.” I tried to walk past him, but he wouldn’t move out of the way. Damn these small New York restaurants.
“Didn’t I tell you to call me if you were ever back in New York?” he spoke sternly.
“That’s right, you did.” I smiled. “To be honest, I’d forgotten and me and my sister have plans. But, like I said, it was good to see you.” I squeezed my way past him and went back to the table, where I could barely breathe.
“You didn’t take your phone with you. I tried to warn you he was on his way to the bathroom. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I took a sip of my coffee.
“No, you’re not, sis.”
“I am. I think I needed to see him one last time because the conversation we just had made me feel so much better.”
She sat across from me with a narrowed eye, disbelieving everything I said. The waitress came over and set our plates of coconut pancakes down in front of us. I glanced over at the hallway and saw him emerge from the bathroom. Instantly, I looked away but could see him coming towards our table from the corner of my eye.
“Shit,” I spoke.
“Laurel, I need to speak to you for a moment,” he spoke.
“Wyatt, this is my sister, Bella. Bella, this is Wyatt Coleman. He’s the man I interviewed while I was here a couple of weeks ago.”
“Nice to meet you, Wyatt.”
“Nice to meet you as well, Bella. I was at your ballet performance. You were very good.”
“Thank you.” She grinned in a flirtatious way, and I lightly kicked her under the table.
“Seriously, Laurel, I need to speak to you.”
“I’m sorry, Wyatt, but now isn’t a good time. Bella and I are on a time restriction and we need to hurry up and eat.”
“Yeah. We need to get on the road to Boston. Our parents are throwing our brother an engagement party,” Bella spoke.
Once again, I kicked her under the table for spilling all that information to him.
“I see. Well then, I guess our conversation can wait for another time,” he spoke. “It was really good to see you, Laurel.”
“It was, wasn’t it?” I put on a happy face. “Enjoy your breakfast, Wyatt. It’s very rude to keep your company waiting.”
“Have a safe drive to Boston,” he spoke as he glared at me before walking away.
“Oh my God! That was spectacular!” Bella exclaimed. “You handled that so well, sis. I’m so proud of you.”
I gave her a smile and ate my pancakes. I was still hurting inside. Hurting like a bitch to be exact. But, like I told Bella, I think I needed to see him again, because now, I could put closure on everything. What exactly was I putting closure on? I was putting closure on the fact that I fell in love with him and he didn’t love me back.
Chapter Thirty-One
My parents had really outdone themselves on this one. It looked like a freaking wedding was going to take place instead of an engagement party. White tents lined the backyard with lights that could be seen a mile away. Tables draped in white and pink filled the spaces and were elegantly decorated with floral arrangements of white lilies and pink roses. Fine white china, crystal glasses, and sterling silver silverware occupied eight spaces around the tables. A spe
cial spot was designated for the D.J. as he set up and the bartenders were already in place. The pool was filled with pink rose petals and a couple of swans who eloquently glided among them. The waiters wore black pants and silk black shirts while the waitresses wore short black dresses with white aprons tied around their waists. The caterers scurried around the kitchen, prepping food, making sure everything was ready when the guests arrived. The occasion was formal, so I wore the dress I wore to Wyatt’s fundraiser.
“That’s a nice dress, Laurel,” my mother spoke as she looked me up and down. “Who’s the designer?”
“No one you would know. I got it at Nordstrom, right off the mannequin, and it only cost a hundred bucks.” I smiled, for I knew that would irritate her.
She took in a sharp breath and inhaled the tequila she was holding in her hand.
“You really went all out for this engagement party,” I spoke as I sipped my wine.
“You could have this too if you had a man in your life.” Her brow arched.
And here we go.
“And get cheated on? No thanks.”
Okay, I’d admit that was a low blow, but I was sick and tired of her hounding me about not being in a relationship. She didn’t know the pain I was going through at the moment.
“If you’re making some type of accusation against your brother, you’re wrong. Alfie loves Celia very much.”
“Keep telling yourself that, Mom,” I spoke as I walked away and took a seat on the outdoor swing next to Bella. “When are you going to tell Mom and Dad about you and Thaddeus?”
“Tomorrow. I don’t want to upset them. This party means a lot.”
“Well, let me know when you decide to do it because I’ll be there to have your back.” I smiled as I hooked my arm around her and Alfie snapped a picture.
“Ah, sisterly love,” he spoke.
“I need to talk to you since you weren’t around last night,” I spoke as I got up from the swing, hooked my arm around his, and led him to the gazebo.
“What about?”
“I’m hoping your little affairs are over.”
“Yeah, sure.” He tried to sound convincing.
“Listen, Alfie, Celia loves you to the moon and back. I see the light in her eyes every time she looks at you. If you can’t keep your dick in your pants, then break it off. I don’t want to see her get hurt.”
“Chill out, Laurel. I’ve got things under control.”
“Let me ask you this. What if she was sleeping around with other men?”
“I’d fucking kill her and the guy.”
“Then why is it okay for you to do it?”
“I didn’t say it was okay. Sometimes I need something different. Celia doesn’t exactly fulfill me in the sexual department.”
“Then why the fuck are you marrying her?!” I shouted.
“Because we’re good together in every other way. Men have special needs, sis. There are things I want that Celia won’t do. So, if I get it from somewhere else, then that means I’m happy, and if I’m happy, Celia is happy.”
“Oh my God! You certainly have your father’s blood running through you. Ugh! Karma’s a bitch, little brother. I’ve already warned you about that.”
“I don’t believe in karma. Stop worrying about me and Celia and worry about your own love life,” he scowled as he walked away.
I needed something stronger than wine. The guests started to pour in and the music started to play. I went up to the bar and asked the bartender for a neat martini straight up with two olives. As I was standing there with my elbows rested against the counter, I heard my father’s voice from behind.
“Laurel, sweetheart, look who’s here.”
I turned around and froze when I saw Wyatt standing next to my father.
“Hello, Laurel. It’s good to see you again.”
I swallowed hard.
“Hello, Wyatt. What are you doing here?” My lips gave way to a fake smile, so my father wouldn’t suspect anything.
“Your father invited me. I wasn’t sure until the last minute if I was going to be able to make it or not.”
“I’ll let the two of you talk,” my father spoke. “I have to go greet some of the other guests.”
I needed to play this smooth. There was no way I could let on to the fact that he broke my heart and that I had been a psychotic mess ever since I left New York.
“What’s going on, Laurel?” he asked.
I grabbed my martini from the bar and downed it.
“Another one, please,” I spoke to the bartender. “What do you mean?”
“You were very cold to me at the restaurant yesterday.”
“I apologize if I was. I didn’t mean to be. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming tonight?”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were in New York?” His eye narrowed.
“I asked first,” I spoke as I arched my brow.
“You’re not winning this one, darling. I’ll answer your question as soon as you answer mine.”
“Then I guess you’re never getting your answer.” I smirked.
“Wyatt Coleman.” An older man approached us. “How are you, son?”
“I’m excellent, Joe. Give me just a second.”
As I started to walk away, Wyatt lightly took hold of my arm and whispered in my ear.
“I will get an answer, even if I have to fuck it out of you.”
I swallowed hard as the hair on my arms stood tall.
“Never going to happen. We had our fun and now I’m having fun with someone else.”
I walked away with my drink in my hand.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Dinner was being served and everyone was asked to please take their seats. At the back of the tent was a small rectangular table for two where Celia and Alfie sat as though they were on display for everyone to admire. I took a seat at our family table next to Bella.
“What the fuck is going on? Why is Wyatt here?” she asked.
“Apparently, Dad invited him.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. He won’t tell me until I tell him why I didn’t tell him I was in New York.”
“Then ask Dad.”
“I couldn’t find him.”
I looked up and saw my mother walking towards the table with Wyatt on her arm.
“You may sit with us, Wyatt,” she spoke. “In fact, sit next to Laurel since the two of you already know each other.” She smiled.
One. Two. Three. Calm down.
“I’m surprised you showed up.” He leaned closer and whispered in my ear.
“I really didn’t have a choice.”
“Who is this person you’re having fun with?”
“A guy I met when I got back to Seattle,” I lied.
“Then all I can say is he has excellent taste in women.”
“Damn right he does.”
I heard Bella snicker, so I lightly kicked her under the table.
“Bella, baby, I’m so sad Thaddeus couldn’t make it. Who knows, maybe we’ll be doing this again soon. God knows you’re our last hope.” My mother glanced at me.
I took in a long deep breath as I felt Wyatt’s hand gently squeeze my thigh under the table.
“Stay calm, Laurel. Ignore her,” he whispered.
My father finally joined us, and I noticed one of his buttons on his shirt was undone. That explained why I couldn’t find him. This was too much, and I was going to snap. My mother and her snide comments, Alfie’s piss poor attitude and lack of respect towards Celia, my father having sex with someone other than my mother at his son’s engagement party, and Wyatt Coleman, the man whore himself showing up and sitting next to me. This was a bad idea coming here.
“Adalynn, why is your tennis coach here?” my father asked.
“Why not? He’s known Alfie for a long time. Maybe I can ask the same about your secretary.”
“That’s the tennis coach?” Wyatt whispered as he nodded to the next table.
“Yep. S
itting right next to the secretary.”
Dinner was over, and cake was being served when Alfie stood up and demanded everyone’s attention, so he could give a gushing speech about his future wife. As he was in the middle of telling everyone that Celia was his soulmate, a woman walked in and interrupted. All eyes turned to her.
“Alfie, I didn’t know any other way to get your attention. You won’t return my text messages or my phone calls.”
“Charlotte, what are you doing here?”
“Alfie, who’s that?” Celia asked with a nervousness in her voice.
“Who is that?” Wyatt asked me.
“I’m going to say it’s one of the women he’s been sleeping with.”
Shit was about to get real for the Holloway family and I was just going to sit back and watch it all go down.
“She’s a friend,” Alfie replied. “I have no idea what she’s talking about, but I’ll take care of it.”
“A friend? Is that all I am to you? That’s not what you told me the last time we were together.”
“Charlotte, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Dad, can you please have her escorted out?”
“I’m fucking pregnant, you idiot!” she screamed from across the tent.
My brow raised, my mother placed her hand over her chest, and my father sat there shaking his head.
“Welcome to my dysfunctional family.” I glanced over at Wyatt.
“Yes, indeed. I can see now what you were talking about.”
Discussions got heated. Celia stood there in full blown shock as tears streamed down her face. Her mother and father ran to her side. My mother stood up and chimed in and let the poor girl have it.
“I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but you are to leave the premises immediately! Alfie is engaged to be married and you come to my home with this preposterous story! Only a trashy woman would do such a thing. It’s obvious you have no idea whom you’re dealing with.”
“I’m pregnant and your son is the father!” she shouted. “He told me I was special and that he was going to break up with her.” She pointed to Celia.
“My son would never cheat on his fiancée,” she growled. “You’re delusional and if it’s money you want, you can forget it.”
