The next few days were long and lonely.

I didn’t hear from Hunt. When I told him I would say yes to Thorn’s proposal, he turned white. His usually tanned skin paled. The color of his eyes dulled. Instead of arguing with me, he walked out of my penthouse without saying a word to me.

I hadn’t heard from him since.

Maybe he didn’t want to continue our arrangement once I was engaged. Maybe it was too difficult for him, to see me wear another man’s ring. Or maybe his plan backfired, and now there was no reason to stay.

I really didn’t know.

When Saturday arrived and I still hadn’t heard from him, I knew he was gone. It was his quiet way of excusing himself from our arrangement. A conversation wasn’t necessary because his silence was enough.

I put on a navy blue gown that had arrived at my penthouse a few hours before. I did my hair in big curls, wore diamond earrings that would match the ring Thorn was about to give me, and I wore a diamond necklace with a circular pendant in the middle. We’d been planning this for a long time, and I should feel excited.

But I didn’t feel an ounce of joy.

When I fell in love with Hunt, I pictured the way he would ask me to marry him. I pictured the white dress I would wear to our wedding. I imagined myself pregnant with his child, heavy around the stomach as I waddled through the house. I picture a life full of laughter, good sex, and happiness.

But that was never going to happen.

I was marrying Thorn. We would love each other, but we would never love one another passionately. I would have my partners, and he would have his. We’d have sex, but it wouldn’t be often. He would be my best friend in the world, my closest confidant.

But he would never give me butterflies.

He would never make me weak.

I knew I had to accept that and move on.

The light over the elevator lit up, and the doors opened.

Thorn was here to pick me up.

Except it wasn’t Thorn. It was Hunt.

He walked into my apartment in jeans that hung low on his hips and a t-shirt that fit nicely against his chest. His eyes roamed over my appearance, taking in the diamonds in my ears and the curves of my tight dress. He walked up to me, his broad shoulders shifting with every step he took.

As always, I held my breath. Anytime he was near, I wasn’t myself. I wasn’t so confident, wasn’t so cold.

He stopped directly in front of me, invading my personal space like he owned all of it. He refrained from touching me, but I could feel his hands all over my body. I could feel his fingers in my hair, feel them at the back of my neck. “When he asks you to marry him, you’re going to think of me.”

The statement was so blunt that it took me a moment to digest.

“And if you’re going to think of me, then I should be the one asking you.”

When I looked into that unbelievably handsome face, it was hard to resist. There was nothing I wanted more than to see him give me a ring then return home to a night of kissing and touching. “I wish you were, Hunt…”

“Then let me be the one.”

I bowed my head, unable to look at the plea in his eyes. “It’s over. You didn’t give me enough to believe you, enough to trust you. I said no to your father because I couldn’t betray you. But now I need to do the best thing for me. If you can’t accept that, then we should stop seeing each other.”

A quiet sigh escaped his lips. “Baby…”

“I mean it, Hunt.”

“I don’t want to stop seeing you.”

“Then we need to stop talking about this. Can you do that?”

I didn’t get an answer, but he looked into my eyes as acknowledgment.

I stepped around him and grabbed my clutch. “You should go. He’s going to be here any minute…”

Hunt walked back to the elevators and hit the button with his finger. He turned his eyes back to me and watched me as he waited for the elevator. His eyes scanned over my face like they usually did, blanketing me with affection and love. The muscles of his throat shifted as he swallowed. The elevator doors opened, but he didn’t step inside right away.

He kissed me instead. It was a soft kiss, full of restrained passion that he couldn’t allow to break free. His fingers dug into my hair slightly so he wouldn’t mess up my curls. There was no tongue, but his lips felt perfect against my mouth. When he ended the embrace, he kept his face close to mine. “Thorn is a lucky man.” He dropped his hand and walked into the elevator. He hit the button for the lobby but wouldn’t make eye contact with me. He stared at the buttons as he waited for the doors to close.

Slowly, they came to the middle until he was gone from sight.

And then he left.

---

“You look beautiful.” Thorn smiled at me before he leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. It was a special embrace, affection that we never showed unless people were watching. It was nice, an ode to things to come.

“Thanks. You look nice too.”

“Well, I always look nice.” He smiled before he grabbed my hand and pulled me into the elevator. We rode it to the bottom just as Hunt had five minutes earlier. Thorn escorted me to the back seat of his car, and the driver pulled into traffic.

Thorn looked out the window and watched the lights go by.

I tried not to think about Hunt.

“Everything alright?” he asked without looking at me.

“Yeah.”

He turned his head toward me. “You’re sure? Because speak now or forever hold your peace.”

There was nothing waiting for me with Hunt. Nothing but hesitation and uncertainty. I remained loyal to him even though I didn’t have to, but I had to put myself first. I had to do the right thing for myself because he wouldn’t do the right thing by me. “I’m sure.”

A handsome smile spread across his face. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

Silence fell again, and Thorn fished out his phone. He took care of a few messages, and by the time he was done, we pulled up in front of the restaurant. He got out first and then helped me out, his hand steady on mine.

When I thought about spending my life with Thorn, I didn’t have a single fear in the world. I knew he would always be honest with me, not feeding me lies to hide his true nature. He would only show me the respect that I deserved. He would be affectionate, loyal. He would be a great friend and a wonderful husband. He was a handsome man, so I knew our children would be beautiful. He would be a wonderful father, a great family man. I was a lucky woman to find such a great man. We wouldn’t know passionate love, but I could always find that elsewhere.

He guided me into the restaurant, and at a special table right next to the window were his parents and some of our friends. They all knew what was going to happen, but they had no idea that I knew as well.

Hopefully, I was believable.

Hopefully, Hunt wouldn’t haunt me for the rest of the night.