“Winifred.” My father’s words are sharp as a knife.
“What? He does.” I’m ignored by both of them as my father rushes to make him feel comfortable. What about me? I think. I’m his own flesh and blood, and he’s more concerned about making Cane comfortable. No wonder my mother’s a functioning alcoholic, usually nowhere to be found.
The lunch goes from bad to worse. If it weren’t enough that Cane Danson’s pompous attitude leaves much to be desired, you should see the way he eats, smacking his lips and talking with his mouth full. I feel like I’m trapped in a nightmare.
After the bill comes—which my father picks up, of course—Cane asks to walk me to my car.
“Of course you can,” my father answers for me.
“I’m actually in a bit of a rush,” I say, trying to ignore the green bits of kale salad stuck in Cane’s teeth. “I have…plans.”
“It’ll only take a minute.” Cane stares at my chest again. I want to smack him upside his tiny little head.
“No, thank you.” I grab my purse, and for the first time in my life, ignore my father’s wishes. “Father, good to see you. Cane, nice meeting you.”
“The pleasure was all mine.” I’m already walking away before he completes his sentence. Not wanting to risk him catching up with me, I practically run to my car, slip the valet an extra fifty to cut in front of a lunch-drunk couple, and burn rubber out of the parking lot.
I scrunch my nose up, willing the sting of tears to go away. I drive and drive, listening to music and trying to clear my head. It isn’t an accident that I drive by Jase’s house, but his bike is gone, which is probably for the best. What am I going to do?
Hey, remember me from last night? Let me tell you all about my rich girl problems.
Fuck. My. Life.
Hours later, I finally head home. I hand off my coat and head up the stairs, but my father’s voice stops me. “Winifred, come down here.” When I turn around, his arms are crossed over his chest. “We need to talk.”
I let out a long sigh and do as he asks. “Father, I know what you’re trying to do.”
“I do nottry,Winifred. When I put plans in place, they’re as good as executed. You will marry Cane. It has already been decided.”
“But it’s my life. I went to the schools you wanted. Studied the subjects you wanted. Hell, I even wore the clothes you wanted.” I tear off my blazer then steel myself, speaking slowly so that my voice doesn’t shake. “But I will not marry that weasel of a man. I don’t care how rich he is.”
“You spoiled little brat.” My father steps toward me. “You don’t know how good you have it. Your whole life has been nothing but a cakewalk. But I’m putting my foot down. Either you marry Cane Danson, or I’m cutting you off. No more money, not from me.”
“What do you mean? I have a trust.”
“A trust that isn’t due to you until you’re twenty-five. Until then, it’s in my name.”
“You’re serious?”
“Dead serious, Winifred.” My father places a hand on my shoulder, softening his voice. “Darling, I’m doing this for your own good.”
I shove his hand off and rush up the stairs to my room, slamming the door behind me. This cannot be happening to me. I shove my face into my pillow and scream. Meanwhile, the only person I want to vent to is Jase, but something tells me he’s not exactly open to hearing it.
Chapter Six
Jase
I can’t stop thinkingabout Winnie. As much as I hate to admit it, the woman’s been on my brain since the second she left. It’s been nearly two weeks, and I can’t concentrate on anything but her. Even when I go to the bar, I’m staring at the door, hoping she’ll somehow make her way back to me.
It’s enough to make me want to punch the wall. I’m not a relationship guy, and this is totally off-brand for me. But something tells me that Winnie would be the kind of woman I could marry.
If she weren’t the daughter of a multi-millionaire, you idiot.
“Jase!” Gunnar’s voice snaps me back to the present. “That bike’s not going to fix itself, you know?” In the corner, a vintage Norton Commando stares back at me. Normally, I’d be drooling, dying to get my hands on it.
“Yeah, yeah,” I say. “I know. Who’s the boss here, anyway?”
“Tony Danza?” Gunnar shrugs, smiling at his bad joke.