their classmates asked. “You look like you’re ready to blow your lid.”
Ryan inhaled deeply and schooled his expression. “Sorry. I was deep in thought about a deal I’ve got going.”
“Are you sure?” the man inquired. “Because your deadly glare was aimed at Hugh over there.” He inclined his head toward the man of the hour.
Everyone was fawning all over Hugh and, while Ryan hated to admit it, he was jealous. He had to let go of the notion that he and Jessie would ever be together. Time and time again, he’d watched her choose Hugh over him and tonight had been no different. He needed to move on with his life for good this time. The time for looking back on what might have been was gone.
“Yeah. I’m good,” Ryan replied. “I’m going to cut out, it’s been a long night and I’ve seen all I need to see.” Ryan turned on his heel and walked out of the ballroom toward the valet. Regardless of the kiss he and Jessie almost shared, they were over. He wasn’t willing to play second fiddle to any man and certainly not Hugh O’Malley. One day he would find the woman meant for him. She certainly wasn’t in this ballroom.
* * *
“Babe, I’m so happy I came,” Hugh said after the crowd surrounding them dissipated, leaving him and Jessie alone. He swept her into his arms, but when he bent to kiss her, Jessie turned her head to the side. His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “What’s wrong?”
Her lips twisted in a cynical smile. “What’s wrong? Really, Hugh? You didn’t even tell me you were coming and I’m supposed to welcome you with open arms?”
His blue eyes regarded her warily. “Actually, yeah, that’s what I thought. Excuse me if I thought you might be happy to see me.”
Jessie sighed. She should be happy to see him, but her reaction to Ryan tonight was a problem. She turned away from Hugh and walked swiftly toward the covered terrace. The committee had bedecked it with string lights and balloons. Since the night air held a chill, heaters had been strategically placed around the terrace.
Hugh followed her, catching up in two quick strides, and spun her around. “Jessie, what’s going on?”
“Nothing.” She looked down at the floor.
“We may have been apart for a while, but I can tell when you have something on your mind. What is it?”
After almost kissing Ryan, Jessie realized she was done with playing the “perfect couple.” She was tired of living up to everyone’s expectations. She knew her parents thought they would get married; expected her to be the dutiful daughter she’d always been. But Jessie didn’t think so. If she and Hugh were meant to be, there was no way Jessie would have had such an intense and passionate encounter with Ryan. She had to do the right thing and end their relationship.
“I can’t do this.”
“Do what?”
“Be with you,” Jessie stated. “We. Aren’t. Working. We haven’t been for some time because you’re across the ocean. Besides, you and I both know that we’ve been together mainly because of our parents’ wishes, not because it’s what we both want.”
“I’m sorry, Jessie. I know I’ve been caught up in my career, but surely you don’t mean what you’re saying. I’ve worked so hard for us—to build a better future.”
“Hugh, we haven’t lived in the same place, let alone the same country, for years. How are we supposed to get married one day if we never spend any time with one another?”
Hugh ruffled his hands through his dark curls. “I can’t leave my job right now. I’ve got major deals in the works. It would ruin everything I’ve been working toward.”
“I know. Your career has always been more important than our relationship, which is why I think we need to break up.”
“I see.”
“Please tell me you understand,” Jessie pleaded.
“I do. I haven’t been there for you and now you’re evaluating if you want to continue our relationship. But instead of breaking up, why don’t we take a break and think about what we both really want?”
Jessie lowered her head and tears clouded her eyes. She’d always thought they would be together forever, but she wasn’t so sure now, not after tonight with Ryan. She glanced up at him through wet lashes. “Yes.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” Hugh pulled her into his arms, cradling her underneath his chin. “It’s all right, take all the time you need and I’ll do the same. But know I’m rooting for us.”
Jessie wished she could say the same, but the way she’d felt tonight with Ryan showed her she wasn’t as all-in on Hugh as she’d once thought. Otherwise why had she been thinking about Ryan the way she had tonight? She’d also come to realize that her own happiness came first, not what her parents or the citizens of Falling Brook expected from her.
“Can we keep the break private?” Hugh asked, glancing down at her. “I don’t want to make it public or tell our parents yet in case...” His voice trailed off.
Jessie understood. Hugh had always cared about what people thought of him—how he was perceived. She was sure he thought there was hope they would get back together. And why wouldn’t he? They were Falling Brook Prep’s golden couple. “Of course. It will stay between us.”
They left the terrace and went back into the party, pretending to be the happy couple in front of their peers. But deep down, Jessie knew it was over between them because tonight her eyes had been opened to not only stop living her life according to her parents’ expectations, but finally to do what’s right for herself.
Copyright © 2020 by Harlequin Books S.A.
Read all the stories in the
Dynasties: Seven Sins
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One man’s betrayal can destroy generations.
Fifteen years ago, a hedge-fund hotshot vanished with billions, leaving the high-powered families of Falling Brook changed forever. Now seven heirs, shaped by his betrayal, must reckon with the sins of the past. Passion may be their only path to redemption.
Experience all Seven Sins!
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Luxury, scandal, desire—welcome to the lives of the American elite.
ISBN-13: 9781488056871
The Bad Boy of Redemption Ranch
Copyright © 2020 by Maisey Yates
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