“I see. Perhaps you're willing to sacrifice everything to escape your duty to this family,” he said coldly. “But would you sacrifice Sarah, too? Since you truly love her and all...”
“What did you just say?”
“You knew our agreement. I'd leave her store alone if you called off the wedding and gave up Slicker Image.”
“And that's exactly what I did.”
He waved some blueprints in my face. “As it turns out, the spot her shop is on would be the perfect place for a parking lot.”
Without thinking, I lunged for the papers and ripped them from his hand. People gasped as I tore the sheets into tiny shreds. They whispered, afraid of me. Dad didn't even flinch.
“It looks like I'll be needing that land after all.”
“You can't do that. We agreed!”
“Like I said, it was merely a gentleman's agreement. Think of this as another lesson, Asher – always get things signed and in writing.”
How could this be real? Could he actually take Hazel's Curiosities? Was this my fault?
“You know I own that land. I could have stripped it all away from you, from the both of you, any time I wanted.”
Powerless. Weak. The things I hated feeling most in the world. He knew that, too.
“Don't you dare touch Hazel's Curiosities,” I snapped, my voice a throaty growl. “Or the ground it sits on.”
“Maybe I won't. That all depends on what you do for our family.”
It was clear what he meant right away.
“Marry Rosa as we all agreed, and I'll leave Sarah's store alone.”
“As if I can trust your word.”
“That's all you have to go on now. I'll still need to demolish Slicker Image, but I can assure you her shop will be saved.”
Oh, Sarah. Even if I couldn't have her for myself, I knew I'd do anything for her. She loved her store. To lose it would wreck her in so many ways.
If there was any way to prevent such a nightmare, I had to do it. Even marrying Rosa? Yeah. Then Sarah would be okay. I'd be happy enough with that.
Even if it meant letting dad win. Even if I had to marry a woman I basically loathed.
“Fine.”
“Oh? What was that, again? Say it louder so we can all hear you.”
“I said I'll do it. Bastard.”
He broke into a wide grin. “Wise decision, Asher. I knew you'd come to your senses.”
Rosa must have heard my agreement. She rushed over, beer in hand, and threw her arms around me.
“Isn't this wonderful? We're going to be a family! I bet our babies will be so cute.”
My stomach lurched. The room felt like it was starting to spin. I hadn't suffered a panic attack since high school, but that familiar old feeling of terrible dread had come roaring back.
“What's going on here?”
Oh, no.
I found the strength to look up. As I'd feared, Sarah made it after all. She hovered in the foyer, bundled up in her poofy coat, studying Rosa and me with utter confusion.
“Sarah, wait. This isn't what it looks – ”
Rosa dropped the sweetheart act and strutted over to her. “Sorry, honey. I know you had your eyes on my man, but only one of us gets to win him. And that lucky lady happens to be me.”
Sarah's gaze met mine. She was on the verge of crying. So was I.
“Asher...?”
I had to do this thing for her sake. It would save her. So why did it feel completely wrong?
Mom, emboldened by her drink, came to Rosa's side. “I really do apologize, Sarah. You seem like such a nice girl. But my son, well, he has prior commitments.”
“I don't understand.”
“That's all right. You don't need to.” She frowned at the Masters family. “But I must ask all of you to leave. This part of the club is for members only.”
Big tears rolled down her cheeks as she turned, without a word, and raced for the exit.
“Hey, sis, wait up,” Cole shouted, sprinting after her.
Carol shot me a nasty glare. “Come on, mother. I knew this whole thing was a sham from the beginning. Rich pretty boys like him never want girls like my Sarah.”
You're wrong.
Hazel followed but didn't reply. She looked back at me, almost more sad than angry.
Panic swelled in my chest. I shoved Rosa off me and started to run after Sarah. If she walked out that door, I would lose her forever. I knew that.
“Sarah, don't go,” I managed to say, but she didn't look back.
A rough hand grabbed my arm and kept me from going to her. It was dad, of course.
“If you chase her, you know what will happen. Your place is here now, with Rosa.”
He was right, I supposed. I'd done all I could for Sarah.
I just hoped that one day, she understood.
Chapter 24 - Sarah
Christmas Eve day had arrived. The day of my fake wedding – or it would have been, had all our plans gone like they'd supposed to.
Not long ago, even the idea of faking marriage to Asher seemed like a joke.
But nothing was quite the same anymore.
Asher would be marrying Rosa. From the sound of things, it had been planned all along. Why hadn't he told me earlier? I'd never have an answer, not that I really wanted to hear it anyway.
Instead of putting on my gown, here I was watching the register at the store. Outside, the snow fell hard. Church bells sounded in the distance.
Maybe that was Asher, at the altar with his new bride.
The tears came again, for the millionth time. Tears that quickly turned into loud, embarrassing sobs.
“Aw, Sarah.” Lana darted over to give me a hug. “I'm really sorry.”
I just nodded. She'd never liked Asher,
