Page 53 of Best Laid Plans

"I'm just telling you that the man you knew isn't this man. This Anson is broken and angry."

"And you're saying I broke him, and he's angry with me?"

He nodded. "Yes, and yes."

I smiled wanly. "You think I'm a deceitful thief as well, Diego?"

"No, querida. I think Anson is a chicken shit who got afraid because of what he felt for you, and took the first opportunity he got to end the relationship that had become his lifeline. And since then, he's hated his life."

"And he blames me for it," I sighed.

"Maybe on the surface. Deep down, he hates himself."

Chapter 21

Anson

"Idon't know what you mean," Bailey demanded belligerently when I asked her what the fuck she was trying to pull when she made it look like we'd been fucking.

We were in her office, and I'd closed and locked the door. I didn't need someone to walk in. I'd have waited to get home to talk to her. I didn't like to bring my private life to Larue Homes, but then I should've never hired my fiancée.

"I'm done." I ran a hand through my hair.

"What does that mean?"

"I meant what I said, Bailey; I'm appalled that you didn't tell me about what Pete did to Nova."

"He didn't do a thing," Bailey bit out. "She did."

"You knew what happened with Carre."

She shrugged. "She probably enjoyed it…her mama was a—"

"Stop it," I yelled. "Just stop it."

I shook my head. I wasn't getting through to her. I wasn't getting anywhere in my life.

"I know you asked for a month for me to think it through, and I have. The engagement is off. I'm going to let Mama and Alma know."

She came to me and put her hands on my chest. Her eyes were wet. "I knew this would happen. She comes back, and I lose you again."

"Again?"

"You dumped me for her last time, too," she accused.

"Bailey, we were over for a while before Nova and I started seeing each other." I was baffled at her recreation of the past.

"Don't do this."

I removed her hands from me, and stepped away. "It's done. Keep the ring. Do what you want with it. You can stay here until the end of the week, and we'll pay you for three months."

"No," Bailey cried out. "I need this job, Anson."

"You don't need the job, Bails, you need the income. And I'm telling you we'll pay you for the next three months…hell, you know what, I'll make sure you get paid for the next six. That's enough time for you to find another job."

"No," she said mutinously. "No. We're going to get married, Anson Larue."

"We're not, Bailey. I don't love you, and the truth is that I have even stopped liking you."

---