“At work, at home.”
“Why haven’t you called me?”
“You said you needed space.”
“Charlie, I said you needed to think about what it is you want,” he corrects me before placing his hand on my chest. He picks up the phoenix sitting on my collarbone. “How did he know to get you a phoenix?”
“Excuse me?” I ask, my pits of my stomach are prickling with nerves.
“You have a tattoo right here,” he deadpans, pointing to where I’m inked. “How would he know that?”
My heart beats rapidly, thumping so loud and restricting my ability to breathe.
Think, and do it quickly!
“He doesn’t know that. My Facebook profile pic is of a phoenix. That’s how he knows,” I respond calmly, but my insides are screaming at my vagina to go sit in the naughty corner for fucking Lex behind Julian’s back.
“Have you fucked him?”
“You have nothing to worry about,” I lie.
I could have easily ended this right now, been honest and moved on with Lex, but I love Julian. He’s my fiancé, and Lex is nothing but an ex-boyfriend right now. I’m terrified of making the wrong decision, not wanting to lose either of them. And I hate myself for being selfish, but I don’t know what else to do.
With a straight face, I use the tactics I learned in law school. Never show emotion nor let your opponent see your weakness.
Julian pulls my hand toward him, examining the ring. After a few moments, he intertwines his fingers with mine and draws me closer to him. Placing his lips on me, he kisses me deeply, rushed, and with force. I allow him to do so, sucking on his lip gently to ward him off the trail he has been way too close to.
“Gorgeous, I love you. Let’s skip this whole wedding thing and take off to Vegas tonight. You and me.”
“Julian, don’t be ridiculous. We can’t just run off and get married tonight.”
“Why not?”
“Because we aren’t ready. Our friends and family will want to be there. Please just calm down.”
“Well, this weekend I want to take you to Vermont. Just you and me.”
“I can’t, Julian. I have plans.”
He withdraws his body, creating a distance as anger smolders across his normally beautiful face. With his jaw clenched and fists tighten into balls, so much so I can almost see his body jittering.
“With Lex?”
“No, he won’t be there. I’ll be at The Hamptons. How about next weekend?”
He continues to stare at me, waiting for me to crack under the pressure. I spent years learning how not to crack, and it’s paying off right now.
With a tight grip on my arm, I’m slightly taken aback by his possessive nature. “I believe you, but you listen to me, Charlie… Lex isn’t who you think he is. He’s a ruthless man. You don’t get where he is today by playing nice. This fifty-million-dollar deal he is wrapped up in right now, there’s plenty of strings attached. You think he is the Alex you knew back in high school? Think again, Charlie. I have no doubt he won’t stop till he has you, but if you choose him, don’t expect to be the only woman in his life.”
With that said, he releases his grip on my arm and walks out the door.
***
Elijah and I are sitting at a coffee shop waiting for Adriana who claims she needs to grab some stuff for our weekend away. I remind her there are shops in The Hamptons, but she’s adamant she can only find what she needs in the city. I don’t ask any more questions, it’s probably some sex toy.
Nikki, Rocky, and Will drove up with a friend of theirs who’s staying a few houses away from us, early this morning. Nikki texted me saying the place is gorgeous, and so is the weather considering it’s mid-September.
I’m looking forward to a relaxing weekend away, especially after what Julian said to me. I decide to push those thoughts and his threats aside. He’s jealous and wants to scare me. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself. To give myself a mental break, and choose to leave my engagement ring at home. I don’t need a reminder of Julian every single time I look at my hand.