Unbreakable (City Lights, #2)(103)

“Don’t talk about last night. It never happened,” he seethed. “It never happened.”

I watched helplessly as he strode to the bathroom where he threw his razor and other items into a small bag.

“You’re not giving me a chance to explain,” I said.

“I don’t want to hear one of your bullshit speeches.”

“Hey,” I said.

He continued to pack.

“Hey,” I cried thickly, my throat threatening to close on me. He turned and another flash of remorse crossed his features. I guessed the agony in my heart was reflected in my face. “You have to give me time. You can’t just have one night—one night that did happen—” I said, loudly to override his protest—“and expect me to reorder my entire life…completely rip it apart and put it back together just like that.” I snapped my fingers. “I need time. I have obligations…pressures…”

“You have pressures?” Cory laughed bitterly. “Princess, you wouldn’t know pressure if it bit you on your pampered ass.”

I hugged myself, shaking my head. “This isn’t you. You’re hurt and angry and I don’t blame you but—”

“Nope, I’m neither,” Cory said, and the anger drained out of him right before my eyes. “I’m a f*cking idiot, that’s what I am. And just…numb. I’m numb and I’m done.”

I watched him twist a key off his keychain and he set it down on the low coffee table. The house key to the bungalow. He went to the front door, his bag slung on his shoulder.

“What about the inspection?” I whispered. “What do I tell them?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that,” he said, horribly, uncharacteristically caustic. “I’m sure you’ll think of something.”





Chapter Thirty-Seven


Alex



Feeling as numb as Cory had claimed to be, I waited for the inspector from CPS to arrive and dutifully gave the tour. But without Cory there to sign off on the paperwork, the report was all but moot.

The inspector—a tired-looking woman of middle years—was polite but didn’t bother to hide her disappointment. “You don’t know how many of these I do. It’s too bad. Such a pretty room for a little girl.”

After, I could hardly stand to remain in the bungalow. I grabbed my purse and keys, and drove to my parents’ house in Beverly Hills. In the long, circular driveway, I texted Antoinette, telling her I wouldn’t make it lunch today at the Belvedere.

The response came, and it chilled my blood: Phil was watching the Dodger game on Sat. Said he saw a redhead that looked just like u catch a foul & kiss a blond guy. ???

I stared at my phone. My fingers trembled as I typed. You know I hate baseball.

It seemed like an eternity before the reply came. Told Phil the same. Doing party prep? Can’t wait. See you Friday!

I slumped back in my seat, a small moan escaping me. So thoughtless and selfish. How many people had Antoinette told that little anecdote to, before me? What kind of gossip shitstorm awaited Drew at the party?

And god, the engagement party. And the dress fitting today. And the flowers were ordered, the venue booked, deposits paid even with the wedding months away, because the Gardener family was nothing if not efficient and prepared.

And Friday Drew and I would stand before friends and family and make an official announcement, as if our engagement hadn’t been a foregone conclusion for years.

I rested my head on the steering wheel, feeling storm-tossed and drowning, grabbing at anything that would make the yawning chasm of pain in my heart go away.

Maybe I let my attraction for Cory cloud my thinking. Maybe if I put on that wedding dress again I’ll feel all the feelings I should about marrying Drew.

It wasn’t much, but it was all I had. Either that, or sit in the car and cry until I drowned. But I don’t cry. I never cry.

I greeted my surprised parents at their breakfast table, telling them I’d be staying there until Friday. “Is that all right?”

“Of course!” My father beamed. “You know you never have to ask.”

Mother frowned. “I still don’t see why you’re not at home with Drew. What statement is it making to live apart for two weeks? It makes no sense.”

Ralph sighed. “Marilyn…”

“I told you, Mother,” I said wearily. “We’ve been together for years. Being apart for a bit and then coming together at the party sort of legitimizes the whole silly business.”

Marilyn’s eyes widened. “Silly business?”

“Isn’t it silly? To throw a party to announce something that everyone already knows?”

“It’s not just the announcement, darling,” my mother said. “It’s a celebration of the news. The announcement is merely a formality, and quite a nice one, I think. Making a public declaration of your intentions…”

“Are you okay, honey?” my father asked. “You look a little under the weather.”

“I’m fine, Daddy. Just tired. I’m going to go up and rest a bit.” I started upstairs but stopped. “Oh, and how was Palm Springs?”

My mother pursed her lips. “Hot as a furnace. How your father played eighteen holes without keeling over from heatstroke is beyond me.”