Page 94 of Forgot to Tell You Something

So much for personal space. Owen invades mine, grabbing my upper arms. “I won’t let you do this, Tally. I won’t let you throw us away. I was going to tell you about Charlotte at dinner.”

To think, Stefani believed Owen was going to ask me to marry him. Oh no, sweet friend, he was going to tell me about the woman to whom he already proposed. Talk about a knife in the heart.

“Really?” It’s all I can manage.

“Yes. I didn’t talk about her because I never thought I’d see her again. Charlotte means nothing to me.”

“I find that impossible to believe. You were engaged.Two months ago.”

“Charlotte and I haven’t had an actual relationship in years. I stayed because I felt—shit, this is going to sound even worse.”

I release a strangled laugh. “I doubt that.”

“I left Charlotte two years ago.”

“Two months, you mean.”

Owen shakes his head, his lips pursed into a thin line. “Two years. I told you, it was not a happy relationship. When her father found out my plan, he called me. He’s a powerful man with deep pockets. He knew that I needed an investor for the robotics lab, someone with connections within the government. Otherwise, it could take a decade for all the clearances.”

I shrug, uncertain of where he’s headed with this story, and whether I even want to hear more. “What’s the point, Owen?”

“He offered to front the investment money—all of it—if I would reconsider leaving Charlotte.” Owen rubs his brow, looking as nauseous as I feel. “I knew how many people we could save. I accepted his offer.”

If Owen expects me to thank him for his martyrdom, he’s got another thing coming. “I repeat, money can buy happiness.”

“I wasn’t happy, not with her. Charlotte was sleeping with another man. We slept in separate rooms. But her father wanted bragging rights, saying that his future son-in-law helped to spearhead the robotic cath lab. I was his prize pony. The funny thing is, the man hated me until the day he learned about the project.”

“Aww, you poor little millionaire,” I hiss, venom dripping from my lips. “Am I supposed to feel sorry for you?”

I know I’m being evil.

He deserves it.

Every last drop of it.

“No, Darlin, I only want you to understand. Charlotte and I have been nothing more than a paper tiger for years.” He runs his hand over his scalp, the muscle in his jaw twitching. “I never knew I could feel the way I feel about you.”

I hold up my hand. “Just stop with the lies—”

“No, you need to hear this. All my life, I assumed that relationships and marriage were more of an agreement. Crazy, passionate love didn’t exist. Then I meet you, and within seconds, I knew you were meant for me. You can be mad at me, but I swear on my life, there is nothing between me and Charlotte.”

“You act as if your life means something to me.” My voice is so calm, monotone. It’s as if all my feelings have packed up and vacated the premises. Good idea, actually.

“I know it does, because you don’t have a vicious bone in your body.” He picks up his phone. “I was in the shower when you texted. You said you had to speak to me, and that it’s important. Talk to me, tell me what’s going on, Darlin.”

I suck at lying. Always have, always will.Poker face, don’t fail me now. “Perfect timing, actually. I came by to tell you I can’t see you anymore. But you apparently already made that decision. Beat me to the punch.”

“I didnotmake that decision. Tally, please stop. You’re throwing up another wall, but I’ll bash through this one, too.”

“Why bother?”

“Because I love you more than I ever thought I could love another person. Tally, youknowthat.”

I hate that I love him, too.

He has one last chance and his answer hinges on it. “Are you going to see her again?”

“Fuck,” he mutters under his breath. “I don’t want to, but she flew out here to discuss this business proposition—”

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