Page 9 of Just Another Chance

As though in a daze, I accept it and look down. I don’t understand.

“Fill in whatever amount you want– within reason, of course. Whatever it’ll cost to get you out of Tanner’s life.”

My mouth drops open and shock fills my gut. “You’re trying to pay me off?” I can’t believe this.

“You’re holding Tanner back from the life he should be living.” He tosses another disapproving glance around my apartment. “Let’s face it, Addison. You’re a nobody from South Grove. Tanner needs a woman by his side who is befitting of his station. And that, my dear, is not you.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, trying to appear strong. But inside, I’m crumbling fast. “He loves me, and I love him.”

“If that’s true then why is he at Le Cirque with Chella right now?”

Doubt fills me and it’s getting harder to breathe.

“If you don’t believe me then go take a look for yourself. I’ll even have my driver take you over there.”

I have no idea what to do. I trust Tanner, but why wouldn’t he have told me if he was going to dinner tonight with this woman? And who is she, anyway? I suppose I could ask him later.

Or you could go ask him right now,a little voice says.

When Thomas sees me hesitate, he stakes me right in the heart with his next words. “Addison, I hate being the bearer of bad news here, but Tanner has lost interest. He’s moving on and you need to do the same. The truth is, he planned on breaking things off with you tonight.”

What?My chest tightens and I refuse to take this man at his word. Only one person can reassure me and that’s Tanner himself.

So, it’s time to get some answers.

“Where’s your car?” I ask.

4

TANNER

Dinner with Chella seems to drag on and on, and I keep looking down at my watch. I’m on the verge of making an excuse and cutting out early but decide to just suck it up. If I bail, then I’ll be mad at myself for not holding up my end of the bargain. Despite this being a favor to my father and the fact that I don’t give a crap about his business, I’m a man of my word.

Chella Lockheed isn’t at all what I expected, though. Considering she’s a socialite and the daughter of one of my dad’s business associates, I figured she’d be like all the others– vapid, spoiled, boring and only able to talk about the country club or the latest exotic vacation her father paid for her to go on with her friends.

But she strikes me as a woman who’s…hell, I don’t know. Been around the block a few times? First of all, she’s not wearing the typical good girl, preppy outfit. Instead, she’s wearing this slinky number that hugs every one of her generous curves. It’s borderline indecent and I think the waiter is thoroughly enjoying the way her bosom is practically spilling out onto the table.

Me, though?Not so much.

I’m not attracted to women who have the constant need for sexual attention. I prefer subtlety and hints at what lays hidden beneath a woman’s clothing. My thoughts turn to Addie who looks sexier in an oversized sweatshirt and baggy pajama bottoms than Chella in her barely-there dress.

When the food arrives, I’m beyond grateful and dig right in, eating faster than usual. I just want to get out of here and go over to Addie’s. The engagement ring in my pocket reminds me of how special tonight is going to be.

After visiting every high-end jewelry story in the city, I finally decided that nothing was good enough for Addie. I found a ring designer and commissioned him to design an engagement ring for a small fortune. But I didn’t care how much it ended up costing because it needed to be original, special and beautiful– just like our love.

The end result is stunning, and I hope she likes it. Just thinking about proposing tonight is making my palms sweat and I set my fork down. I take a sip of wine and realize Chella just asked me something. But I have no idea what.

“Sorry?” I ask. A part of me feels bad because I know that I’m being terrible company tonight. But I’m not good at pretending or putting on a show. I’ve never liked to play games or been a good bullshitter like Nash and Crew. With me, what you see is what you get.

I don’t know if that’s good or bad, but it definitely makes me easy to read. And right now, Chella must see I’ve mentally checked out of our dinner.

“I asked what you like to do for fun,” she repeats in that throaty voice of hers.

I’m not sure if the huskiness of her tone is natural or because she smokes. With a sigh, I decide to let her know that despite what my father may have told her, this is only a business meeting.

“Chella, I have a girlfriend.” So much for letting her down easy. Maybe I’m being presumptuous, but she’s been giving me the eye since we sat down, and I don’t want to encourage her.

She laughs and takes a sip of her wine. “And?”

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