Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“It’s so good to see you, hun,” Mrs. Mason gushes, taking my hand in hers and patting the back of it.
The small smile I was able to muster when they first arrived is already starting to fall as I look between them and ask point-blank, “What are y’all doing here?”
Mr. Mason chuckles and smooths a hand down his Auburn red tie. “Thought we’d pay a visit to our favorite girl, of course. Matthew, be polite, would you?”
My ex-fiancé lifts his head and looks at me, his expression schooled into neutral indifference. “Hi, Madison.”
“Hi” is all I can manage.
Then suddenly the three-minute alarm I set on my phone starts blaring.
OH MY GOD.
I reach into my dress pocket and turn it off, blushing as I apologize. I want to run to the bathroom and look at the tests, but I can’t. Not while they’re here.
WHY are they here?!
When I left Montgomery, I assumed I’d never see Matthew or his family ever again. Now they’ve shown up at the worst possible time.
“I apologize if I sound rude, but honestly, I’m really not sure why you’ve all come to Texas,” I press. “Isn’t…Isn’t Matthew getting married this weekend?”
Saturday is July 1st, isn’t it?
The mention of Matthew’s wedding has the three poised Masons appearing, if not quite embarrassed (they would never deign to show that much emotion), at least deeply uncomfortable.
“No.” His dad laughs and squashes the question like he wishes he could extinguish it from existence altogether. “Of course not. That was all such nonsense.”
I look quickly at Matthew to see him wince, but he doesn’t argue. It seems the wedding is off. Does Emma know yet? Is she somewhere distraught over the turn of events? I almost feel bad for her.
Southern hospitality and outright curiosity have me inviting them to take a seat on the couch near the front door. I can sense their relief as they sit—Mr. Mason, Mrs. Mason, then Matthew—all in a straight line facing me as I take the chair across from them.
Mr. Mason clears his throat. “I hope you’ll forgive me for speaking plainly—”
“Actually,” Matthew interrupts. “Could I use the restroom? It’s been a long travel day and—”
“NO.” My response is a bullet fired too fast. None of them are allowed in the bathroom, not while those pregnancy tests still sit on the counter. I force an apologetic smile. “No bathroom.” I point to the sidewalk. “But there’s one at the coffee shop next door if you really need one.”
Mr. Mason sends his son a lethal glare, and Matthew swallows meekly. “It’s fine, actually. I’ll hold it.”
“Right. Now…” His father straightens and reclaims everyone’s attention. “As I was saying, we’re all adults here, and I’d rather cut to the chase so we don’t waste anyone’s time. These last few weeks have been hard on everyone, and we—our entire family—want nothing more than for you and Matthew to get back on track. We’re prepared to make that happen by any means possible, starting with a buyout of Evermore Events.”
My jaw goes slack. What is he talking about?
Mrs. Mason leans forward on the couch, smiling ear to ear. “We’ve already discussed it with Tanya. She’s ready to hand over the reins of the company.”
No. That can’t be right. Tanya loves Evermore Events. I assumed she’d continue building the business for another decade or two. She’s not even close to retirement age.
When I point this out to the Masons, Matthew’s dad laughs. “Well, let’s say things changed. She seems very happy with the arrangement we presented to her, so there’s no need to worry.”
He exchanges a glance with his wife, a look of confirmation that they’re laying out their plan flawlessly. It’s Matthew who’s yet to say a word. He sits on the far end of the couch, studying his shoes.
“Matthew?” I prod.
“Hmm?” He looks up almost dazed.
“Are you okay?”
I’m actually concerned to see him like this. It’s all so…weird.
He looks hurriedly at his father then sits up and fixes his posture. “I’m fine, Madison. Just feel bad for all the trouble I’ve caused.”
He looks at Mr. Mason again, and I wonder if it’s approval he’s searching for. Or maybe just his next cue?
Mrs. Mason clears her throat delicately, recapturing my attention as she smiles kindly. “Maybe we haven’t been clear enough, and I apologize for how overwhelming this might seem, but we’re eager to bring you home, Madison. We want you back in Alabama. We want you to take the lead at Evermore Events, change it however you see fit, with our backing of course.” She laughs lightly, obviously trying to ease the tension.
“With the understanding that you and Matthew remain a couple,” Mr. Mason adds succinctly.
“Remain?”
I say the word harshly, emphasizing it so they all have to endure its awkwardness.
Matthew leans forward, his eyes full of contrition. “Madison, these last few weeks…” He shakes his head. “I was wrong. I should have never considered an end to our relationship, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make it right. This is yours. It belongs to you—” He reaches into his suit pants pocket and extracts a black velvet box. My old engagement ring, the one I hid in the back of the toilet, is nestled in soft velvet, more sparkly than ever. Turns out, he was able to clean it just fine.