Love Triangle Six Books of Torn Desire - Willow Winters Page 0,435

construction next week.”

I sigh, my shoulders sinking. I’m not sure if I’m more upset over the fact I won’t see Wes or because I hoped tonight would be the turning point in our relationship, the night I solidified my resolve that this is the path for me. I need that. I haven’t seen him since Wednesday morning when he asked me to drop off his dry-cleaning. Yes, it’s only been two days, but with each day I don’t see him and spend time with Drew, the fluctuation of my emotions becomes even more unstable.

“I can’t tell you how sorry I am. If it makes you feel any better, I’d much rather be with you than pull an all-nighter at the office. I promise, I’ll make it up to you.”

“When?” I press as that same female voice sounds in the background again.

“Soon,” he replies in haste. “Listen, I have to go.”

“Okay.” I pause. “What if I brought dinner and dessert to you? Or maybe just a quick dessert?” My tone is seductive.

“Baby, I wish I could. You have no idea how tempting that offer is. Any other time, I’d take you up on it, but this is a huge contract for our company. We could lose millions if we don’t get this done.”

“Of course.” I try to mask my disappointment. “I’ll let you get back to it.”

“Thanks, baby.”

I linger on the line for a moment, waiting to see if he’ll say he loves me. Nothing but dead air. When I glance at my screen, I see the call has disconnected. Doing my best to shake off the doubt filling me, I put my car in drive and pull away from Molly’s house.

As I sit at a stoplight on my way back to my place, I think of Wes and our relationship, how different it is from Molly and Noah’s. I can physically feel the love they have for each other. I have since the beginning. While Wes is courteous and affectionate around me, I’m not quite sure I feel his love. That’s probably why everyone was surprised to learn of our engagement, why I was surprised when he got down on one knee. We’re not the kind of people to show our affection through grand romantic gestures. But maybe we can be.

Pulling a U-turn, I head in the opposite direction of my house and back toward downtown Boston. Knowing Wes like I do, he hasn’t stopped to take a break to eat lunch or dinner, so I pick up sushi from one of his favorite places near his office in the Financial District, then walk the few blocks to his building. If I really wanted to surprise him, I should have gone home and grabbed one of my long trench coats, stripping off everything else except the coat. Heat rushes through me at the thought. Maybe another time.

I enter the large skyscraper, feeling dreadfully underdressed compared to everyone else coming and going, most of them wearing designer suits and expensive shoes. After signing in with the security guard in the lobby, I proceed to the elevators, wondering how Wes is going to react to seeing me. I’ve never done anything like this, never surprised him at work or at home. Noah surprises Molly all the time when she’s out at one of her favorite writing spots in the city. He brings her a chocolate chip muffin from the café or lunch he packed just for her. It’s such a simple gesture, but I know how much Molly loves and appreciates how he takes time out of his busy schedule to see her. Wes surprised me with flowers a few days ago. It’s time I return the favor.

When I reach the floor where his architecture firm is located, I step off the elevator and into the frenzied reception area. The phone seems to ring incessantly as employees hurry by. I’ve been here before, but never unannounced. Wes was always expecting me. I’d even been marked in the receptionist’s calendar. I’m not sure how to feel about the idea that I’m just another item in Wes’ schedule. Will I always just be someone he has to make time for, not someone he genuinely wants to see?

“Can I help you, miss?” the bubbly, red-headed receptionist asks as I approach the front desk. I don’t recognize her from the few times I’ve been here.

“My name’s Brooklyn Tanner. I’m Wes Bradford’s girlfriend.”

She waggles her eyebrows. “Don’t you mean fiancée?”

I shake my head. “Yes. Sorry. I guess