Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
I knew Matthew’s parents weren’t going to love the sudden turn of events. Quick breakups and hasty engagements are potential fodder for political opponents, and that’s not even including the fact that a secretary—while being a perfectly fine job and not something I’d ever turn my nose up at—is not good enough for the Mason family. These are people who don’t address their maids, after all. Men like Matthew Mason III might look the other way when it comes to his son’s discreet affairs with secretaries, but marital unions? Oh no, not acceptable.
I pick at the label on my beer. “She wanted to know if it was salvageable.”
She called me while Matthew was at work. I was in our—Matthew’s—apartment, packing up the last of my stuff, trying to decide if I should hide his mother’s engagement ring somewhere just to scare the living daylights out of him when her name appeared on my phone screen.
I almost didn’t answer. I didn’t want to talk to the mother of my new ex-fiancé, but at that point, I hadn’t fully let go of the fantasy of being Madison Mason, beautiful southern bride and perfect young wife. She would answer the phone.
“Hi, Mrs. Mason.”
“Madison.” She said my name with immense relief. “I’m so glad you answered. I can’t believe what’s been going on. Are you with Matthew?”
“No…he’s at work.”
“Right. Good. Better to keep up appearances for now. We’ll do whatever it takes to straighten this out. Matthew is going through something…must be a quarter-life crisis, and he’s not thinking reasonably. We all know you’re the perfect girl for him. Matthew’s father has already had a word with him, and I expect Matthew will rethink his decision soon, if he hasn’t already. If I were you, I’d continue on as if everything is normal. Have a good shower, style your hair, pick out a nice outfit—do everything just as you usually would. Prepare a home-cooked dinner for when Matthew comes home and let him know that you’re still there, the steadfast woman I know you to be. Don’t let this ridiculous situation with the—the, well whatever she is, shake you up. Do you understand, dear?”
David shouldn’t have taken a sip of his beer, because upon hearing this reenactment, he does a spit take.
“She wanted you to make his fucking dinner?!”
I laugh. “And put on a nice outfit,” I remind him.
“The nerve! Did you tell her to go to hell?”
“Are you kidding?” I sound offended by the idea of it. “I asked her how the family was doing and told her to say hello to them for me, and then I got off the phone and hid my engagement ring in the back of the toilet. It was my one rebellious act in that relationship.”
David tosses his head back and cracks up.
I know Matthew eventually found the ring because the one and only text he’s sent me since our breakup was: I know you’re upset, but let’s act like adults here. That ring could have been lost forever.
“Sounds like you really dodged a bullet. What a crazy family.”
I’m beginning to understand that in a way that was hard to see when I was still in my relationship with Matthew. And though a small part of me still feels some strange sense of loyalty to them—even now I’m tempted to tell David, “They weren’t really that bad!”—I know I’m better off without the Masons than with them.
I finish off the last of my beer just as I hear two undeniably recognizable voices, and I’m already leaning forward to push off my knees as Hunter pulls up two chairs next to ours. Sawyer’s right behind him.
“Madison McCall, just the person I wanted to see,” Hunter says with a grin.
“I was about to leave.”
“No, no, take a seat. Where do you think you’re rushing off to?” He laughs.
I wave a hand down my sweaty tank top and biker shorts. “I need to finish my run.”
His eyes practically bug out of his head. “Run?! In this heat? No, I think you’re better off having another one of those.” He points to my empty beer then motions for Doc and raises four fingers. “Four more Coronas, Doc, and put ’em on Sawyer’s tab!” Hunter winks at Sawyer, but Sawyer doesn’t say a word. He’s standing just off to the side of our group, not looking at me.
David groans as he stands. “Make it three, boys. Wish I could stay, but I’m headed to Lindsey’s parents’ house. My wife’ll have my head if I’m late.”
Hunter doesn’t protest David’s departure like he does mine. “Scratch that! Three Coronas, Doc!”
“Quit your hollering and come order at the bar,” barks Doc. Clearly, he’s had enough.
I hide my smile as David pats my shoulder. “I’ll see you. If you change your mind, you’re welcome to join us for dinner.”