B00Z637D2Y (R) by Marissa Clarke Read Free Book Online Page A

your suggestions, sweetheart.” And then he was gone. Leaving her alone with her ex.
    Staring at the card in his hands, Jason whistled. “Holy fuck. Do you know who that is?”
    She rolled her eyes. “Of course I know who he is.”
    He continued as if she hadn’t spoken, which was his norm when they were dating. He equated her forgetfulness and disorganization with stupidity. What she realized now was that she had begun to believe it, too. “That’s Michael Anderson,” he marveled. “Like, the Michael Anderson of Anderson Enterprises and Anderson Auctions. He’s like…” he lowered the card and stared at her. “How’d you pull this off? How long have you known each other? It can’t have been long. I mean, really, Mia. You and Michael Anderson?”
    “I owe you no answers, explanations, or information. I owe you nothing.”
    Mercifully, a knock came on the front door and Michael entered the room before Jason pressed her any further. “That will be the groomer. You never told me where you want to go for dinner. We can go anywhere you like, Mia mine.”
    Mia mine. He should have been an actor.
    “You’re Michael Anderson,” Jason said.
    A perfect eyebrow arched. “Yes, I introduced myself as such when we first met.”
    “Yeah, but.” He stopped because Michael was no longer paying any attention to him and was speaking with a woman at his door. Clancy, sporting a new blue bow and matching nail polish streaked in between Michael’s feet and launched himself into Mia’s lap.
    “Hi, Mr. Clancy Fancy Pants. I like your new ensemble.”
    “I see you got that dog you always wanted,” Jason said as Michael shut the door.
    “Yeah. Michael is very indulgent.”
    “He’d have to be.”
    Mia cringed a little inside as she finished the sentence in her head. …to put up with you.
    “It was nice to meet you, Jason, but I promised Mia a romantic dinner for two.”
    “Oh, sure.” He stood. “So, are you coming to the wedding, Michael? I mean it’s two weeks out and I’m not even sure how serious you guys are, so I might be overstepping.”
    “We’re very serious,” Michael said without hesitation.
    “Oh, no. Michael can’t take that kind of time off,” Mia interjected quickly. This was a disaster. Michael should have ended this charade after the kiss.
    “That’s too bad,” Jason said with a shrug. “I guess it will be up to me to get you places on time, Mia. I’ll take care of her for you, Michael, don’t worry.”
    Michael strode to her and held his hand out. She set Clancy aside, placed her hand in his, and rose to her feet. She could feel the tension in his fingers. “I never worry, Jason. I take care of things before the fact, so that worry is not part of the equation. Of course I will be attending Sue and Mark’s wedding. I wouldn’t dream of sending my fiancée alone.”
    She opened her mouth to protest, but fell silent when he gave her a look that would wither the strongest will.
    Jason stared open-mouthed. “Wow. You’re engaged? That’s… That’s surprising.” When Michael’s expression hardened, Jason backpedaled. “Um, I mean that’s great. She’s a great girl, yeah. Congrats.” He shook Michael’s hand. “Wait until my friends hear I had drinks at your apartment. Can’t wait to hang out at the wedding, Michael.” And without so much as a goodbye, or even a glance at Mia, he left.
    As if glued in place, Mia remained perfectly still, unable to look at Michael. What had possessed him to say he was going to the wedding? More than that, why did he have to say they were engaged? She pulled her hand from his.
    “What’s the matter?” He set his drink on the coffee table.
    “Look. I appreciate what you did here. It was really cool of you.”
    “But?”
    “But why did you say you were going to the wedding? More than that, why did you say we were engaged? Now it’ll be twice as bad because I’ll show up alone after Jason tells everyone I’m bringing the almighty Michael