Page 13 of His Cowboy Heart

“Thank you,” she said, totally missing my point. “You need to grow up and Abigail is exactly the right kind of woman for you and our family.”

“I’m so glad you approve.”

“And have you thought about Barry’s offer? This seems like a very good time for you to make a career change. I never wanted you to go out on your own. You have a great opportunity working for him. He’ll make you a partner immediately.”

“I don’t deserve to be made a partner.”

“Nonsense. You are Troy Van Rossum. You deserve to be successful.”

I wished I could disappear. I did not want to be social. I did not want to roam through the rooms between passed appetizers pretending I was happy with my life. Any optimism I’d had about this pending celebration had disappeared.

Abigail walked in her eyes damp, and cheeks blushed. She brushed back her hair. “The guests have started arriving,” she said. “The staff is gathering everyone in the main living room but I don’t know if I can face them right now.”

“I’ll leave you two alone,” Mother said, raising her eyebrows.

Abigail stood in front of me. “I want this night to be perfect,” she said, the word as though it had energy. “I want our wedding to be perfect and I don’t want to be surprised by anything or anyone.”

“You won’t be.”

“Do you need to tell me anything about that summer, Troy?”

I swallowed and looked into her eyes. I wanted to tell her the truth, but I couldn’t. “No. Nothing happened. I was a boy. I got in a couple of stupid fights. I hung out for the summer and then I left town. I left and I’m never going back.” I felt a little nauseous.

“Good,” she said, pouting. She wove her fingertips between mine. And held her diamond ring up to the light. It sent rainbows shimmering on the walls. “Let’s go show off this rock.”

“Let’s,” I said.

She turned and kissed me hard.

We walked into the dining room to applause.

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