Page 136 of When Fate Breaks

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I sharply snap my eyes to Blake’s. “I just don’t know what I was thinking when I asked you to come here.”

Blake lets out a shaky breath, stepping closer to me. “Are you sure about that?”

“I didn’t even think you’d answer,” I say, forcing my voice to stay even.

Another step. “Ialwaysanswer.”

I continue to stand my ground. “I didn’t think you’d want to see me.”

“Ialwayswant to see you.”

Despite the whoosh of air that leaves my lungs at his reply, I continue. “I didn’t think your company would even let you come out here.”

Blake stops then, the corner of his mouth turning downwards. “There is no company, Evangeline.”

“What?” I question, sure that I heard him wrong.

“It’smycompany,” Blake says. “I’ve owned my own for the last four years.”

I’m speechless. Completely and utterly speechless. I don’t understand how I couldn’t have known this, but then it clicks into place.

Di Fazio

Landscaping & Design

It’s been painted on his tool trunk this whole time and I never put two and two together. That’s the name of his company. That’s why he was able to come here so easily and on such short notice. That’s why he refused to let me pay for his plane ticket, saying his company would cover it. That’s why he’s been so flexible about staying as long as he needs to.

He’s been the one calling the shots.

Blake owns his own company. His own landscaping design company. One that’s well off enough that he can leave it for weeks at a time. And I didn’t know it. I feel tears burning at the back of my eyes.

How could I not have known that?

“So, of course I came out here,” Blake continues, pulling me from my thoughts. “Because I’dalwaysgo anywhere for you.”

My gaze falls, my tongue pushing into my cheek to suppress the emotion welling in my eyes.

“What’s your next excuse?” Blake breathes.

My head shakes, both because I don’t have any more excuses and because I still can’t speak.

I can feel Blake watching me, his presence looming. “Why are you marrying him?”

“Blake, I’ve told you,” I groan, exasperated.

“You haven’t.”

“The Van der Michaels are the reason the store made it through my parents’ divorce!” I cry. “They’re the reason it still exists now. Remy was present during the darkest part of my life. He was there for me–”

“Was he there for you?” Blake asks, taking yet another step closer to me. “Or was he justthere?”

A dumbfounded scoff leaves my throat, my eyes burning with frustration.

“Why are you marrying him?”

“Why do you keep asking me that?!” I fume, throwing my hands in the air.

“Because, Evangeline, I’ve asked you three times now and not one of your reasons has been that you love him.”