Love Triangle Six Books of Torn Desire - Willow Winters Page 0,436

I’m still getting used to it. I know he’s busy on a project, but I wanted to stop by and bring him something to eat.” I hold up the bag.

“That’s sweet of you.” She frowns. “But Mr. Bradford isn’t here.”

I swallow hard, my heart dropping to the pit of my stomach. “What do you mean?”

She looks at the computer monitor in front of her. “Yes. It says right here that he signed out as unavailable for the rest of the day.”

“When?”

Hesitant, her eyes float back to mine. “I can’t be sure, but I haven’t seen him since I got back from lunch at one.”

“Did he go to a client meeting?” I start to grasp at straws.

“No. He wouldn’t mark himself out for something like that. It would say where he was and who he was meeting so we’d have it for our records.”

“Huh.” I stare off into space, wondering why Wes would lie…and who belonged to that voice on the other end of the phone. The thought of him cheating on me had crossed my mind earlier. Now it’s back. Why would he cancel our dinner and tell me he had to work late unless he’s doing something he shouldn’t be?

“I’m sorry,” the receptionist says, looking uneasy.

Smiling, I return my eyes to her. “Don’t be. I may have misunderstood when we spoke earlier. I’ve been so frazzled with planning the wedding, I’d forget my brain if it weren’t attached to my head.”

Her shoulders relax, relief seeming to wash over her. “If he pops back in, I’ll tell him you stopped by.”

“That won’t be necessary.” I turn, my mind reeling as I make my way out of the building.

The instant I’m outside, my eyes zero in on a nearby trash can and I head toward it, tossing Wes’ food into it. I look up at the cloudy sky, feeling like I’m at a crossroads. I never thought Wes to be the type of person to cheat on me, but maybe I was wrong. Maybe I’ve been wrong about him all along. No one can be that perfect all the time, can they? Truthfully, if I didn’t hear a female’s voice on the other end of the line, I wouldn’t be thinking this way. But the sensuality in her tone and huskiness in his response make me rethink everything.

I pull my phone out of my purse and dial his cell, hoping to give him a chance to explain. His voicemail kicks in on the second ring, indicating he purposely sent my call there instead of answering. I stare straight ahead at the busy city plaza, not really seeing anything.

Perhaps this all happened for a reason. Perhaps this is exactly the wake-up call I need. Perhaps this is the universe’s way of steering me in the direction I’ve been fighting against for years.

It feels like a weight’s been lifted off my shoulders. A smile crosses my lips at the thought, remembering something Aunt Gigi often said to me.

“You’ll know you made the right decision when you feel stress leaving your body.”

Her words pushing me forward, I glance back at my screen, dial another number, and bring my phone up to my ear.

After a few rings, the call is answered. “Brooklyn? Are you okay?”

“I’m great.” I pause, drawing in a deep breath. Shouldn’t I be upset over the idea that Wes could be cheating on me? Even if he isn’t, shouldn’t I be angry he lied, angry he canceled our date? But I’m not. I feel…free. “Is that invitation to go with you and the girls tomorrow still open?”

“I thought you had engagement photos and other wedding stuff.” I can hear the surprise in Drew’s tone.

“I do.”

“Then…”

“I’d rather spend the day with you.”

He exhales a short breath. I imagine a smile building on his lips, forcing his dimples to pop. Few people can make those dimples appear. His girls definitely can, but so can I. That has to be worth something, right?

“Want to meet at the café at nine? Gigi will throttle me if she finds out I took the girls to the city and didn’t stop by to see her.”

“Sounds perfect. See you then.”

As I’m about to end the call, Drew speaks once more. “Hey, Brooklyn?”

“Yes?”

“Is everything okay? I mean, is there a reason you’re skipping your engagement photos? Are you prepared for the potential backlash?”

“I don’t care about that anymore. The wedding is in less than three months. By the time the photos are ready, we’ll be married. It’s pointless.”

“And the caterer?