Romance: Dedication - A Workplace Romance (Dedication Series, Romance, Contemporary Romance Book 1)

by Adams, Nancy

  Keeping busy was good, that way her mind couldn’t dwell on the pain from Franklin’s betrayal. Jane detached herself from the agony. For Nadia’s sake, she told herself. And when she watched her friend walk down the aisle, draped in beautiful fabric, looking like a goddess, all her worries faded away for a moment. Because even though Franklin had spurned her trust, so many other great things had been built from their relationship. For a solitary moment, Jane had everything she needed in her friends joy.

  The ceremony was short and sweet. A few laughs were had when Nadia paused at the end of the aisle to throw one last look back at the door. Once she was Mrs. Schwick, Nadia burst into a flurry of tears, grinning ear to ear as photographs from magazines rushed to take her picture.

  The wedding had gotten so much press that by the time all the guest had arrived at the country club, it’s law was filling with eager paparazzi. Light’s flashed before Jane’s eyes as camera shutters went of. People nearly pushed past her to get a shot of the editor-in-chief of some new design company Nadia modeled for. It was so busy, that Jane didn’t notice Franklin breaking away from the wedding party until his arms wrapped around her.

  “I haven’t seen you all day.” He murmured against her hair, “I am starving, wanna get some cocktails and a snack?”

  Jane was still in his arms. His touch wasn’t the same as she remembered. Was it only a few hours ago that she’d awoken in his arms? They certainly hadn't been so heavy and suffocating then. She wanted to crawl out of his grasps and scream at him. To cause a scene so memorable that it’s be covered in the paper for days on end. Jane wanted to hurt him twice as much as he’d hurt her…

  She drew in a deep lungful of air before she turned, “A cocktail would be nice,” She smiled softly, praising herself on the serene calm that flooded her mind. This was Nadia’s wedding, ruining it with a dramatic breakup would only cause problems.

  “Are you okay?” It was funny how committed someone could be to a lie, Jane thought ruefully, as Franklin ran his hands up and down her bare shoulders. He actually looked concerned.

  “Yeah, I just had a busy morning…”

  “Only a few more hours and we’ll be on vacation,” He gave her a tight squeeze as he lead them across the cobblestone driveway, and into the club. Jane made it through the cocktail hour with a painful smile plastered on her face. It managed to hold through to the grand entrance of the newly minted James and Nadia Schwick.

  Nadia changed into a daring cream colored dress. It was backless with a plunging neckline that showed off a figure that had designers fighting over it. Admittedly, Jane had never seen James look so smitten. He hung onto her, hardly letting her more than a few feet away before he swept her up in another kiss.

  “James, Nadia,” Franklin stood up toward the end of dinner, a glass of wine extended toward the couple. “I wish you all the happiness in life. All the luck and joy in the world. You are a beautiful pair. Nadia,” His smile turned into the mischievous little grin that Jane knew would have her blushing, ‘Nadia, I hope you know what you’re getting into with this guy,” Franklin shook his head, “No one would blame you if you walked out now...As his friend, it’s my duty to tell you that he is….well...he’s kind of a spoiled brat. Not to mention a bit of a jerk. But he’s a jerk that cares deeply about you. For the first six months you were dating, he hired a personal stylist just so that he could look good for you. Not that it worked much,” Once the laughter died down, Franklin went on. “I see how you two care for one another, and it makes me strive to feel the same thing. You’re an amazing couple, and I know this marriage is just the start to amazing things.”

  Nadia smiled at Franklin, but her eyes were on Jane. The models face, as beautiful as it was, held a deep guilt that even Jane couldn’t ignore. Pretty words weren’t ever enough to placate Jane, though. She knew the best liars were ones that could make their victims feel. Franklin was a shark, she’d known that. He was a man that did anything to get what he wanted. So long as he won, the consequences didn’t matter. Jane drank her glass of wine in four deep gulps, knowing that the conversation she and Franklin would have later, would require a few gallons of liquid courage.

  ***

  It wasn’t until the wee hours of the morning that they stumbled into the room. Franklin was clutching at Jane as they stumbled across the threshold, babbling on and on about how no one should ever mix tequila and gin. She dumped him unceremoniously on the bed, watching as he crawled across the edge to scavenge in a bag full of take out containers they’d gotten from the wedding.

  “That was fun,” The mouthful of potatoes jumbled his words together comically. “Want some, babe?”

  “No thanks. I actually wanna talk.”

  “How about we not talk?” Rising from the bed, Franklin moved to stand before Jane, his hands finished with the potatoes, were now traveling along her body. The fork that he’d been eating with stuck out of his mouth, but he quickly discarded that too, in favor of kissing her. “You know the best man is usually supposed to sleep with the maid of honor, but I will not object at all to a change in that tradition.”

  “Oh really? Didn’t think you’d be much interested in sleeping with me now that you got you money.” The venom in her voice was enough sting. She pushed Franklin away, walking over to the bathroom in four big strides.

  “What?” Said Franklin dumbly, “What are you talking about?”

  “The bet. Between you, Chambers, and Miller?” Jane's voice may have been calm, but the way she wrenched her toothbrush from her makeup bag betrayed her actions. When it got stuck in the zipper, she became so frustrated that all the contents ended up dumped into the sink.

  “How did you know about that?”

  “Nadia told me this morning. I’m assuming James told her after you bragged to him about your conquest.”

  “I...Jane.” Sobriety had come quickly. Jane smiled mirthlessly knowing that she’d killed his buzz. “You can’t think that’s all this was, do you?”

  “You tell me, Franklin. Was any of it real, were you even attracted to me?” Oh, god, she was yelling. And in a few moments the dam would break and the tears would come streaming free. She had to keep under control: Giving him the satisfaction of knowing he’d hurt her wasn’t an option.

  “Of course it was real! I can’t believe you’d fucking think that none of this was real.”

  “Then why not tell me about the bet before? Why did I have to hear it from Nadia on her fucking wedding day?”

  “Because it didn’t matter, Jane.” Now he was yelling Fingers clenched on the door frame as if it was the only thing keeping him from exploding. “The bet meant nothing to me...I swear. I wasn’t even...when I was asking you out” He sighed, “I was trying to get information on Rebecca.”

  There was a long pregnant pause as Jane’s mind worked to comprehend his words. When she finally did speak, her voice was pitched low, hardly audible over the him of the heater. “You were using me to get to Rebecca?”

  “Not like that,” He rushed forward, taking her hands in his, “I just thought that...this is going to sound really fucked up. But I thought Rebecca would be easier…”

  She’d never slapped anyone before. And the sting that radiated up Jane’s arm when her hand made contact with Franklin’s cheek was both surprising and satisfying. What was most satisfying was the look of blatant shock plastered on Franklin’s face.

  “I can’t believe I ever fell in love with a dick like you, McKinnon. What did you do with the money you got from the bet?”

  “I took it,” He said, his face stony, “I took it and put it away for something later…”

  “For what?”

  “Does it matter?” He snapped. “You seem to have made up your mind about me.”

  “How would you feel. If this was reversed, and you found out, 9 months in, how the fuck would you feel?” she furiously shook her head, “You know what, it doesn’t matter. I’m going to pack my things, and then I’m taking a train somewhere. When I
get back to my apartment next week, all your shit better be gone, or else I’m leaving it out on the street.” Luckily for Jane and her dramatic exit, they hadn’t unpacked. So she grabbed her bags and headed toward the door, not caring how much she sagged under their weight.

  “Jane, don’t go,” He was pleading, his voice soft in her ears. The tone was so desperate, so unlike him, that it almost made her stop.

  “Leave your key on the end table when you get your things.” And with that, she was gone, dragging her bags with her down the hall, into the elevator and down into the lobby. Jane didn’t let herself cry until she was in a cab. The driver didn’t say anything, just looked at her every few seconds. It was a horrible cry, filled with body heaving sobs, little hiccuping coughs and rapid pounding on the back seats. Jane’s heart throbbed in her chest, while Jane’s mind replayed every date or dinner that she and Franklin had been on. Why hadn’t she seen it? For a woman that could recognize numerical patterns in business plans, she was shit when it came to love. Maybe it was her fault? The thought was oddly sobering. Her quest for love, and someone to love had lead her into the arms of an unworthy man.

  There was something to heartbreak. It was a cold, ruthless teacher. Jane knew she wouldn’t ever make the same mistake again.

  Also by Nancy Adams

  CHASING LOVE SERIES:

  The Other Man – Book I

  Torn – Book II

  True Love – Book III

  New Beginnings – Book IV

  “A” BILLIONAIRE SERIES:

  A Night With A Billionaire

  In Love With A Billionaire

  The Heart of A Billionaire

  “The” BILLIONAIRE SERIES:

  The Billionaires Heart

  The Billionaires Mind

  The Billionaires Virtue

  The Billionaires Wedding

  The Billionaires Love

  The Billionaires Family

  STAND ALONE SHORTS:

  The Evidence of Love

  The Billionaires Choice

  Something About Her (Millionaire)

  Perfect Stranger

  Or check my author books page here for updated titles!

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  About the Author

  I am just your typical girl. I love Starbucks, sunsets, and yoga. I dream of meeting my prince charming, and having him sweep me off my feet. I dream of one day having children, and raising them to be all that they can be (and more!). I love people, and I love life! I hope that through my writing I can spread just a little bit of that love into the lives of those I may never meet. My work isn't perfect, but it is sincere. It is heartfelt, and it is deep. I express how I feel, what I feel, and what I want to feel through my writing, and I don't know what I would do without it. The mere fact that I am able to share that with the rest of the world is simply a bonus, and I truly hope that my writing makes you happy.

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