Page 67 of One Night in Hawaii

“I asked if you wanted Giorgios or sushi for dinner,” she said.

“Neither.”

“I want the two of us to have a chance to talk and enjoy some time together.”

I stared at her and tried to see what I saw in her in the beginning. In the beginning, I saw a beautiful woman who knew the right people and carried herself well. “I don’t want dinner. I would like you to leave.”

Ashley’s face contorted into a scowl and her eyes narrowed as if she was trying to burn a hole through me. “What the hell is wrong with you?” she hissed. “We need to talk about our future together. You can’t just ignore me. We’re going to be married.”

“No, we aren’t.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” she sneered. “Your mother and I have been planning our wedding.”

“Again?” I scoffed. “Aren’t you tired of burning money?”

“We’re going to do it in Italy this time,” she said as if I said nothing. “We’re thinking something a little smaller but it will be more romantic. I already have a new dress.”

“Your first dress was never used,” I reminded her.

“It’s bad luck to wear it after what happened the first time.”

“What happened?” I asked with a laugh. “Nothing happened the first time. You ran away. You chose not to walk down the aisle and marry me. I wonder why that was?”

“I’m sorry for that,” she said. “I got cold feet. I’m good now.”

“Oh, I’m sure you are,” I said with a laugh.

“Let me get you another drink and then we’ll talk,” she said.

She took my glass and walked away. I pulled out my phone, unable to resist the only connection I had to Shiloh. I sent her another text, letting her know I missed her.

“Who are you texting?” Ashley snapped. “You’re smiling. You never smile. Who made you smile like that?”

I looked up at her and took the drink. “The woman I’m about to marry.”

Ashley’s face contorted into a snarl as the drink sloshed over the rim of the glass. “What woman?” she spat. “You’re going to marry me. You promised.”

“I promised to consider it,” I corrected. “And I have. I’m not interested in marrying you anymore.”

Ashley’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You can’t just change your mind like that. You’re mine.”

“I’m not anyone’s property,” I shot back. “Least of all yours. We’re done, Ashley. I think it’s time for you to leave.”

Her face twisted in fury as she threw the glass at me. I jumped back just in time to dodge the flying glass, but it shattered against the wall behind me. I stood up, trying to keep calm.

“Ashley, you need to leave. Now.” I said in a low voice.

“No, I won’t leave. You belong to me. I won’t let you go,” she screamed, her eyes blazing with anger.

“Please, this is exactly what you want,” I said. “Save the antics. I don’t buy them for a second. This is you pretending you want me so you look like the victim.”

Her tears and anger evaporated in an instant. “If you choose not to marry me, you’re breaking the contract.”

“It’s cute you think that,” I said. “But as a matter of fact, you’re the one that broke the contract.”

“But I changed my mind,” she sneered. “I’m back. I’m here begging you to take me back. I’ve agreed to marry you. You’re the one refusing me.”

I had been waiting for the moment I could tell her I knew about her affair. It was something I wanted to savor. “Did you know there’s some fine print in all that paperwork that states cheating is grounds for breach of contract? Technically, you would be breaking the contract and you will be on the hook to pay for the wedding you blew up. And I want that ring back.”

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