Stone Cold Fox (25)
I practically floated back to the agency, high on the engagement news that fully allowed me to plot my ultimate revenge on Len and company. It wasn’t quite the moment to pull the trigger yet, but all in due time. Collin’s proposal was officially pending, bypassing the all-important step of moving in together, which would surely follow, if not precede. Frankly, it couldn’t come soon enough. I needed to get out of Morris’s place as soon as possible. I could tell he was tiring of my lingering presence without any benefit to him. I knew Morris would never throw me out on the streets, he wasn’t that kind of man, but I also didn’t want to be badgered about earning my keep through anything unsavory in the sheets. He was that type of man, so time was of the essence.
Collin and I had plans to go to the symphony that evening, something I found dull in practice but refined in theory so I had to go along with it and pretend I enjoyed it. An excuse for a new frock was welcome, but more so the adoration of anyone we passed throughout the course of the night. We were a very attractive couple, though I was pulling most of the weight in that regard, no surprise there.
Before the music began and idle chatter swept through the concert hall, Collin revealed to me that the Cases’ Newport home would be ready for us come Memorial Day weekend. Excellent news. He had taken care of business. Collin gave my left hand a squeeze, an exhilarating tell, and I thought about texting Syl to inquire about any ring updates during the intermission, but I stopped myself because I deserved the surprise. Why not? I wanted to start reveling in momentous occasions, instead of constantly looking over my shoulder, waiting for the letdown.
Once I was married to Collin, I would never be let down again.
CHAPTER
6
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, reeked of old money, which, while obnoxious, I honestly preferred because I knew what to expect. Everyone waxed on about the Hamptons, which provided lovely ambience, minus the rampant banter between finance bros or star-fucking bimbos stalking celebrities. It was all so showy. The concentration of rich idiots in the Hamptons was much higher, especially of the new money variety, whereas Newport had a distinctly more laid-back vibe, since the crowd had little to prove in the wealth department. A welcome respite for both Collin and myself. It could be exhausting performing for someone all the time, and while I was always in a mild performance mode to keep Collin secure, I felt more relaxed than I had ever been with him when we chucked our bags into the master bedroom. So much so that I was the one to initiate a daytime romp simply because I felt like it.
I wasn’t naive about my feelings for Collin. I knew I didn’t love him in the way a normal person loved their partner. The Hallmark definition was simply not a priority for me because it didn’t seem to result in anything worthwhile, much less tangible. Feelings were fleeting and fickle, with no guarantees. Belongings, assets and money had staying power if you played your cards right. I would have put up with far worse. Any affection for Collin was due to the affection I had for the life he could provide, but he was a genuinely sweet man, buck teeth and lack of bravado and all, so I counted myself lucky in that regard. That’s not to say Collin wasn’t without his faults. He could be secretive and quiet. He was not a gregarious man, similar to his father in that respect. I wasn’t always exactly sure what Collin was thinking, but he likely felt the same way about me. While his every thought may have been unknown to me, his behavior was almost always predictable, and that was what really mattered. I believed he would always choose me and that was reason enough to stay with him forever if he asked.
When he asked.
“Did you want to go out or stay in for dinner, babe?”
“Let’s go out!” I cheered at Collin, eager to frolic about town in my glory. If he was gearing up to propose as expected, I decided I wouldn’t mind a public display as long as it was tasteful, resulting in polite and genuine applause from onlookers along with a bottle of the restaurant’s finest champagne sent to the table.
“Really? I thought we might stay in,” Collin said, instantly annoying me. If he didn’t want my opinion, why bother asking? “I thought it might be nice for our first night to settle into the house, dine alfresco on the terrace, get a fire going, put some cozies on.” Oh God. I cringed. When Collin said things like cozies it made me want to slap a diaper on him and send him on his way to his mother. His vernacular left much to be desired, but like I said, he wasn’t perfect.
“All right, whatever you want is fine with me,” I told him, before making tracks for the wine cellar.
“Well, I can put in requests? What sounds good?”
“Lobster,” I replied, because it was what you ate in Newport and it was rich, even though I couldn’t think of a more overrated star of seafood. In my estimation, lobster had absolutely no flavor unless it was slathered in butter of all things. Horrendous.
“Great idea. Gale loves lobster, too.”
“I beg your pardon? Gale is here?”
Christ. Would I get no rest on our little lovers’ getaway? The abject cruelty of it all. I rightfully expected some hard-earned PTO, a weekend of my own wherein I wouldn’t have to be so “on,” but I reminded myself there would be no time to relax until Collin and I were married. Don’t get comfortable, Bea. No sick days. No weekends. No summer fucking Fridays.
“Bea, come on, I told you on the way up that we’re going to host Gale and Luke, too.”