Page 28 of Chasing His Bride

“I know.” My words are barely a whisper, because I know I’ve been fooling myself for thinking this could be more.

“I can’t love.” He hesitates for a beat of my heart as I take in his words. “That’s why I married you, because it doesn’t matter. We don’t matter,” he says, his voice shaky. I notice he doesn’t look at me, but stares at the wall. “I’m…”

Don’t say, You’re sorry.

I won’t be able to contain my tears if he shows me pity.

I sigh and hold up my palm to stop him from talking. “I never said I loved you, just that I could,” I say, trying to backpedal. Trying to make this easier, not only for him, but also for me.

“Sorry, Amber,” he says, saying the word I don’t want to hear and making it worse, not better.

I wish we could end this conversation.

“I got the message... loud and clear. Stop worrying; I won’t stalk you.”

But I know I definitely need the Atlantic Ocean between us. And the sooner I do, the better it will be for my heart.

I know he doesn’t want to commit to anyone. That’s why I was perfect.

I need to get on with my life. I told him what he wanted to hear. I told him I was the same, and the fact we live on different continents sealed the deal. He would never have married an American; that would be too close for comfort for his hardened heart.

I hate my heart got involved—when his heart didn’t.

I wait for Jack to fall asleep; it doesn’t take him long. It never seems to, he sleeps like a baby.

When he is, I push myself out of bed, dress as quickly as I can, and find my clothes that were strewn around his apartment as we rushed in after dinner.

I take my purse from the nightstand and stroll into his living room.

After finding a pen and notepad, I leave him my email address and a quick message to go with it.

FOR THE DIVORCE PAPERS, AMBER

From the doorway to his bedroom, I look at him one last time, Then I take out the check he gave me, take a picture to prove to my friends I won the bet.

I’m sure they’ll agree.

One Million Dollars.

It’s over.

I leave check with the message.

He can have the marriage certificate for free…

I’m no longer for sale.

Chapter 11

Amber

For two weeks, I’ve moped around the office at work. Jade, Bree, and Charlie agree I won the bet, though they all think I need locking up for getting married in the first place.

I only told Bree about the million dollar check, showing her the picture on the airplane.

Again, she thought I needed putting in a straight jacket for not cashing it in.

We ended up having a discussion where she admitted she never gave a blow job to the air steward.

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