Page 46 of Yours to Conquer

“Go on. Tell me what I need to know.” I feel like I’m going to be blindsided. Will she tell me she had a relationship with him? Doesshe know something that will help me work through my decision? Not only do I have an entire relationship to consider, but I also can’t forget I may be carrying his child. What do I plan to do about that?

“I know Anthony. I’ve known him for years. He was engaged to my sister.”

My heart squeezes at the mention of him being engaged. I feel like the ground just dropped out from under me. I grab for the table and hold on while the earth gobbles me up. He has never mentioned a former fiancée. He’s never talked about any relationship. I just assumed he was like me, either a serial dater or too busy to date at all.

“Forgive me for being speechless, but I’ve never heard of a long-term relationship, not to mention a fiancée. Herein lies my problem: it’s not the girl in the photos I’m concerned about; it’s the sneaking around. He’s supposed to be in Dallas, and yet, here he is at a hotel in Phoenix.” I scroll back to the picture of him walking into the Royal Palm Resort.

“It’s not my place to tell you Anthony’s business, but I’m going to because I think you need to hear it.” She scoots her chair closer to the table and closes my computer. I’m assuming she wants my full attention.

“Okay, I’m all yours.” I lean back in my chair and get comfortable.

“Seven years ago, Anthony and Roseanne met at one of Damon’s clubs. They both hit it off, and things went swimmingly well for a couple of years. Before I go into that, though, you have to get a good feel for my family. I told you my dad wanted boys to take over the firm. He had three girls. Imagine his disappointment when his oldest started dating a chef. Anthony had done well by then. He had a few restaurants, but nothing like the world domination of fine dining he has today. I think it was the situation with my sister that forced him to step up his game.”

Roxy picks up our cups and walks to the coffeepot torefill them both. She sets mine in front of me and retakes her position next to me.

“My dad was an enormous influence in her decision to break his heart. He wanted all of us to marry his partners if we weren’t going into law ourselves. Roseanne studied law, but she wasn’t interested in being a partner. She liked the prestige of the degree but had an adverse reaction to working.”

“What happened that broke Anthony’s heart?” I’m completely caught up in her tale. I’m learning something about Anthony he didn’t opt to share about himself. I kind of feel like a voyeur, looking through a private window in his life.

“We grew up very privileged children. Money was never an issue, and we never really heard the word no. Our parents had their thumb over us regarding careers and coupling, but everything else was fair game. We learned to live a life of excess, having closets full of Louboutin shoes and couture dresses. Anthony proposed to Roseanne on the second anniversary of their first date. He’s romantic that way. He pays attention to the details.” She pauses for a moment, and I take that time to gain my bearings. I don’t enjoy hearing about him almost marrying someone else.

“Roseanne said yes. She was listening to her heart. Unfortunately, she had to listen to my father, and his voice spoke louder than Anthony’s words of love. My dad reminded her that she lived the life of a princess. There was no way a chef was going to keep her in the lifestyle she was accustomed to. It didn’t matter he had many locations already open; he’d need to make millions to compete with the picture my dad painted. In the end, my sister chose money and status over love.”

I feel a tear slide down my cheek. I can picture Anthony’s face as she broke his heart. I brush the stray tear away and tell her to go on.

“My sister walked into his restaurant the next day and handed him back his ring. Two weeks later, she married a partner from the law firm. The message to Anthony was,you’re notgood enough or rich enough to hold on to me. He begged her to come back but gave up when the wedding photo hit front and center of theLos Angeles Times. I think he took his anger and aggression and applied them to making his millions.”

“What does your sister think now?” I am curious to know if she regrets throwing him over for a bigger fish.

“I don’t know because I don’t talk to my family. Knowing my sister, I’d imagine she thinks she chose poorly. If she’d just supported her man, she could’ve had it all. She seems happy enough. She gets the clothes and club memberships that are important to a woman who’s empty inside. I’m happy he didn’t marry her. He would’ve spent his entire life trying to please her and never succeeding.”

I think back to dinner with his parents. Claire mentioned he'd brought one girl home before me. They called her Rose. I bet the girl was Roseanne.

"That's awful. However, I don't know how this has anything to do with my situation. I'm not tossing him aside because he's not enough for me. I couldn't care less about money. I'm done because I don't want to be that girl who is oblivious to her boyfriend's philandering. I don't want the press writing stories about how I overlook his dishonesty and infidelity because he's rich. I wouldn't have cared if he lived in a beach house or a flophouse. I'd have loved him, anyway." My eyes burn with the unshed tears I'm suppressing.

"All I'm saying is this, I haven't seen Anthony for many years, but I believe I know who he is. I don't think he's cheating on you, and if he's lying, it's for a reason he will reveal when he thinks the timing is right. He's not a deceptive man; he's a man who loves completely. If he's in love with you, there will be no room for anyone else."

I stare at Roxy for a minute and wonder if I just made a huge mistake. Am I finding him guilty before he even gets his trial? I'm so confused, and my feelings are so conflicted. I hug Roxy for taking the time to talk to me. I know it wasn't easy for her to tell me a story that wasn't hers to share, but I'm glad she did. I stand up and hug heragain and then plod slowly to my room. I feel both emotionally and physically drained.

The pattern on the ceiling seems to change the longer I look at it. I have so much to consider. I rub my stomach and think about the little Anthony that could be growing inside my belly. Am I prepared to be a single parent? Am I prepared to end a pregnancy? The thought of aborting my baby makes me sick to my stomach. If there is a baby, they didn't ask for the parents they got; it's just the luck of the draw. I contemplate that thought for a minute. I, of all people, know you should never blame a child for conditions surrounding their birth.

At that moment, I realize if I'm pregnant, I will have this baby. I will love this child as my mother loved me, albeit I hope to live to old age to watch my child grow. I feel a huge weight lift off my chest. I know Anthony would be a great father, and even though we wouldn't be together, we'd co-parent perfectly. He is a good man, despite what we're going through.

My palms are sweaty,slipping slightly from the steering wheel as I turn into the parking garage at Ahz. The table should be set for tonight. The staff is always happy to accommodate you when you're dining with the owner. I slide my car into a spot in the first aisle and walk toward the entrance. I'm a messy mix of emotions right now.

Anthony asked me to wear something sexy, but since this is not the reunion he expects, I am wearing a pair of jeans and an off-the-shoulder purple tunic. I meander my way through the restaurant and into the private dining room. My watch shows it's six thirty. He should be here any minute. I almost get to the table when I hear the door open behind me.

My heart is in my throat.

He stands before me in a beautifully tailored suit, his five o'clock shadow giving him a rugged, scruffyGQlook. His blue eyes light up when he sees me, and I watch as he drops the briefcase from his hand and makes a beeline for me.

The air pushes from my lungs as he embraces me a bit too hard. His lips crush against my mouth, and for a moment, I almost forget why I'm here. I push against his chest, breaking the connection, and immediately say, "We need to talk."

His eyes open in surprise and disappointment washes over his face. He looks at me cautiously.

"Have a seat. I ordered us dinner. I hope you don't mind. I figured you'd be hungry when you arrived." He pulls out my chair and takes a seat beside me without saying a word. I look at his face and see the confusion in his eyes.

"I missed you. I'm so happy I'm home. I was lonely without you." He stares at me. I look into his eyes and see the fear. Is it fear of being caught, or fear that something significant has just happened and he hasn't a clue?

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