Page 40 of Wake Me Up Before You Cocoa

“What’s that glum look for?” she said with a pout. “Did someone stiff you? Or did a check bounce?”

Wade pressed his lips together and tried to hold his tongue, but it was impossible. “I’m not your father, Lydia.”

Lydia stepped back and stuck her hip out. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“My day isn’t ruined if someone bounces a check. I don’t live for money. I can’t understand how you haven’t realized that about me. Sometimes it’s like you don’t even know me.”

“That’s not a very nice thing to say. But I refuse to talk about this outside on the front porch with the entire neighborhood watching.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him inside.

“Nobody’s watching. The street is quiet as a tomb. Besides the front door is set far back from the road.” He knew he wasbeing contrary, but Wade had lost patience. His eyes were fully open, and he was wide awake.

It was obvious that he had made such a mistake to have taken their relationship this far, almost to marriage. There had been signs for a long time, but he’d been so eager to settle down, he’d ignored the warnings.

Lydia took his hand and dragged him into the living room where she pushed him onto the luxurious sofa and began to kiss him. “My parents won’t be home for another couple of hours.”

Wade gripped her arms and pushed her away. “Lydia,” he began.

“What isupwith you? Am I not attractive to you any longer?”

“Your attractiveness has got nothing to do with this.”

She stared him down. “So,whatisthis?”

“You’re a beautiful woman, but marriage must be more than that. We haven’t had a meaningful conversation about our relationship or life together in a long time. If ever,” he added.

“Because you work all the time,” she flung at him, crossing her arms over her chest.

Wade sighed. “You know exactly what I mean, don’t pretend not to. I’m not happy, and I don’t think I have been for a while. The ‘family’ dinner pushed me over the edge. It showed me that our relationship is a fantasy. It’s all about high society living, which is very superficial to me.”

“Is this about the prenuptial?” she demanded, blinking her eyes with impatience.

“It was the last straw,” he admitted. “I read it again the other night and was so outraged, I will not ever sign it. But your father made it clear that without it, he would refuse to set a wedding date or annul our marriage if we were to run away and wed. I can hardly comprehend the nerve to have that drawn up at all.”

“He just wants what’s best for us. I cannot believe you didn’t sign it. Did you bring it with you?” Lydia asked, as if she was going to forge his name on the document.

“No, I burned it.”

“Youwhat?! That’s horrible. Now you’ve insulted my father and entire family.”

“It’s the worst legal document I’ve ever seen in my life. I will not be controlled by your parents or you. This is not going to work, and I finally realized it.”

Lydia’s mouth dropped open. “Are you breaking up with me?” she asked, her voice rising to a squeak.

Wade let out a sigh. “Yes,” he said bluntly. “I will not turn over my life—and my heart—to your father. He’s more than overbearing. He’s—”

“Don’t you dare criticize my father!” Lydia hissed.

“If you’re going to defend him over me, then I think we’re done,” Wade said quietly while he rose to his feet and headed to the front door. “I’m very sorry things turned out this way. I never meant to hurt you.”

“This is my life, too, you know!” she shot back, tugging at the back of his shirt to stop him. Then she burst into tears, wailing as if that would stop him.

Her dramatic weeping had no effect on him. In fact, Wade thought she was being a pretty good actress. It was surprising, and strange. As if his heart had a black hole inside.

“Do I have to give back the ring?” she asked, pressing herself up against the front door as if to barricade him inside.

“No, Lydia, you can keep it. It belongs to you. Wear it, sell it, hock it, I don’t care.”

She sniffed and held up her hand to gaze at it. “I suppose I can take the diamonds out and have a jeweler re-set it into a new design.”

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