Page 51 of Billionaire Temptations

“Then let’s get you home.” His thumb grazed over my cheek. “Nice touch about the wedding date.”

“Thanks. Your mom was getting on my nerves.” I laughed.

“So,how did it go last night at dinner?” Kara asked as she and Molly sat across from me in the restaurant.

“I told them we set a date. September 10, 2016. I couldn’t stand Carol’s whining anymore.”

“When are you breaking it off?” Molly frowned.

“Next Friday night. We’re going to his parents’ house for dinner.” I picked at my salad.

“What’s wrong? Are you still sick?” Kara asked. “You’re barely eating.”

“Yeah. This flu is killing me.”

“Maybe it’s not the flu. Maybe you’re making yourself sick over what’s to come. It happens, you know.”

“I don’t know. I don’t want to end things with Max. I know we were never a real couple, but I like being with him.”

“Maybe once all is said and done, he’ll change his mind and not want to let you go.”

“I doubt it. I almost told him the other day that I loved him. I had to catch myself, and then I started to panic. What if I would have said it?”

“It’s a good thing you didn’t because there’s no telling how he might have reacted.”

The two of them finished dinner, and I had mine wrapped up to go.

I’d spentthe week going to school, coming home, and taking long naps. I hadn’t seen Max since his birthday, but we talked a few times. We had put our plan in motion for tonight, and I was a nervous wreck. Maybe the girls were right. Maybe I was making myself sick over this whole thing, and depression seemed to be settling in. But I had a tiny piece of hope that I clung to that Max would tell me that he loved me and he’d call this whole break-up thing off.

“You ready?” he asked as he took my hand.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” My stomach was twisted in the tightest knot possible.

We sat down for dinner with Carol and Bradshaw, and the game began as I looked at Max.

“I don’t understand why you couldn’t have called today. You told me you would, but as usual, you can never keep your word.”

“Not now, Emma. I already explained to you how busy I was.”

His parents looked uncomfortable as they kept their heads down while they ate.

“So is this how it’s going to be, Max? Work before me?”

“Emma, I’m not discussing this now,” he spoke through gritted teeth.

“That’s your problem. You never want to discuss anything. Half the time, I feel shut out.”

I threw my napkin down on the table, got up, and walked away. Walking outside to the back patio like we planned, he followed.

“Throw your hands around. Yell. Press your finger into my chest in case they’re watching.”

I did just that. We yelled back and forth and put on a good show for his parents. I took the ring off, placed it in his hand, and stormed through the patio door.

“It’s over, Max. I just can’t take it anymore. I can’t be with a man who puts his work before me. I should be the number one priority in your life. Me, Max. Your fiancée. The girl you supposedly love.”

“Emma, please don’t do this. I’ll change. I promise.”

“You’ve already shown me that you can’t keep your promises, and I refuse to live my life with someone like that. I can’t. I just can’t!”

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