The Wedding Pact Box Set - Denise Grover Swank Page 0,235

decision when he leaves you for some other woman. And we both know he will.”

He was giving voice to the fears that niggled at the back of her brain. But the night she’d spent with Garrett had only pointed out all the inadequacies of her relationship with Neil. Deep down she’d always known she was settling, and now she had the proof.

“Blair. I still love you,” Neil pleaded, tears in his eyes. “I’m begging you to think this through. I can’t stand back and let him do this to you.” He paused, his eyes searching hers. “I’m willing to overlook your indiscretion. I understand why you did it, and I forgive you. I still want to marry you today.”

She groaned. “How can you say that? I wouldn’t be so understanding if it were the other way around. I’d be handing you your ass on a platter.”

“I know. It only proves how much I love you.”

“I can’t marry you, Neil.”

He took a breath and looked at her with eyes full of understanding. “Darling, don’t make a decision of this magnitude based on one night with a man who is determined to break us up. How can you be sure that this isn’t part of his plan?”

“He wouldn’t do that.” She pushed on. “In fact, Garrett said you’re hiding something from me.”

He paused. “What exactly did he say?”

“He said you were hiding something big.”

Neil paused and then shook his head. “If he’s talking about Layla, that’s his story to tell. I won’t hurt you that way.” When she started to protest, he said, “You’re still wearing my ring.”

She glanced down at her hand. This ring had been nothing but trouble. She’d gladly take it off and give it to Neil, but according to Garrett, it belonged to him, not Neil. Which meant it wasn’t hers to return.

“Why are you still wearing the ring, Blair? Why not just take it off and give it to me?”

“I can’t.”

He grabbed her hand and held tight. “Because you really do love me, even if you can’t admit it. You still want to marry me.”

“Garrett says the ring is his.”

“And yet you’re still wearing it.” His tone was harsh.

She took a deep breath, her voice wavering. “I’m sorry.”

“He asked you to marry him and you said yes? After one night?”

She cringed. “Yes.”

His face reddened, his hand holding hers tighter. “You made me wait months to propose—you said you weren’t ready. Yet you accept his proposal after one night?”

“Neil.” Her voice broke. She might not love him, but it still killed her to hurt him like this. “I’m sorry.”

He released her hand and sat back in his chair, staring out the window for several seconds before pulling out his phone and glancing at the screen. He stuffed the phone back into his pocket and gave her a soft smile. “All I want is for you to be happy. If this is what you want, you have my blessing. You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

“Then I wish you the very best. Both of you.”

Her mouth dropped open.

“Don’t look so surprised. I care about you . . . and despite everything, Garrett is my cousin. He’s family.”

There was no way he could be handling this so well. What was he up to?

“Why don’t you let me walk you back to his room, and we can sort this all out.”

She shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Was that why he was taking it so well? Did he want to go over to confront Garrett?

He grimaced. “Blair, this entire situation is incredibly awkward. Not only are we canceling a wedding, you’re planning to marry my cousin. The least you can do is help come up with some kind of story that will allow me to save face with my family.” When she didn’t answer, he added, “This affects Garrett too. If you really don’t care about how this is going to affect me, at least consider him.”

“I really think this is a terrible idea, Neil.”

“I’m trying to be the bigger person here, and I’m willing to let bygones be bygones. Are you really going to refuse me?”

He was right. This would be awkward. If they could come up with some kind of understanding now, it would go a long way toward keeping their family from being torn apart. Over her.

“Okay.” She looked into his face. “Thank you.” She still wasn’t certain it was the right decision, but she had to admit he was being reasonable. Still, she hated springing this on Garrett.