“Just because he hasn’t had a change of heart doesn’t mean you can’t.”
“Do you really expect me to forgive him for being a worthless human being? He didn’t give a damn about any of us when he stole millions and ran off, abandoning my mother, my brothers and me to deal with the authorities and everyone he’d cheated. Everyone blamed us because he wasn’t around to focus their anger on. It wasn’t fair. He should’ve stuck by us, but he’s a selfish bastard, incapable of thinking about anybody but himself.”
A second before his rage spun out of control, Oliver became aware of Sammi’s rising dismay and lapsed into silence. His chest heaved as he gulped in air. Over the last few minutes, his heightened emotional state illustrated why she didn’t want to be with him. He was driving a wedge between them with his anger, and if he refused to deal with it, she might leave him.
“You’re right,” he admitted, shying away from his fear of losing her. “I’m angry. But if you think going to visit my father in prison can help me deal with that, then you have no idea what I’m going through.”
“What do you think about this?” Sammi asked, emerging from the dressing room in a strapless satin dress of bold chartreuse that popped against her dark hair.
Kimberly glanced away from her reflection and nodded. “I like it. What do you think about this?” She indicated the blue velvet jacket dress that showed off her mile-long legs and enhanced the blue of her eyes. “Strappy sandals or thigh-high boots?”
“Definitely the boots.”
Sammi dropped her arm onto the other woman’s shoulder, and the two of them adopted the broken lines and bored expressions of an editorial photoshoot. Behind them, several women watched in fascination.
The two models were out shopping for something to wear to a launch party later that night. Adina was introducing a new line of vegan leather purses at Into the Now, a SoHo boutique that featured luxury-brand sustainable fashion, makeup and accessories. Both Kimberly and Sammi had taken part in the media campaign that had preceded the launch and been invited to the opening.
Decisions made, both women made their purchases and headed to a nearby restaurant for lunch. Since Oliver’s proposal two days before, Sammi had been eager to talk to her friend about it but preferred to have the discussion face-to-face.
“Something happened with Oliver the other day,” Sammi said, digging into her salad with gusto.
Kimberly scrutinized her friend. “Something good or bad?”
“I’m not sure,” Sammi admitted. “He asked me to marry him.”
“Wow! That’s fast.”
“Too fast. I turned him down.”
“How come?” Kimberly had been following Sammi’s romantic journey with Oliver and knew all about her friend’s hopes and fears surrounding the relationship. “I mean, you’re crazy about the guy, and he’s obviously into you.”
“I’ve fallen hard for him, but I don’t know if he’ll ever feel the same way about me.” Sammi released a shaky breath.
In the hours following Oliver’s proposal, she’d been clearheaded and firm in her resolve. But the more time that passed, the more she waffled. Would marrying Oliver be such a bad thing? Even though he didn’t love her, she knew he wouldn’t cheat. He’d been clear about his disgust with his father over Vernon’s numerous dalliances and the misery this had caused Oliver’s mother. A man as strong in his beliefs as Oliver wouldn’t go back on them, and even though that meant he had a hard time letting go of his anger, Sammi knew he would devote himself to their family. But was duty enough for her? If her physical passions were satisfied, but her heart remained empty, could she ever be happy?
“I want to believe he could come to love me,” Sammi continued, “but I’m afraid that he’s too pessimistic to let down his walls. It all goes back to how his father treated him as a kid. His older brothers got all the attention while Oliver was ignored and unappreciated. All he wanted was his father’s love, and no matter what he did, how much he excelled in school or at sports, Josh and Jake were the sons their father praised.” Sammi didn’t blame Oliver for being skeptical when it came to putting his heart on display. “And now that his father is back, he’s angry all the time.”
“But it’ll get better after the trial is over, won’t it?”
“I don’t know,” Sammi admitted. “Because he can’t let go of his resentment over how Vernon treated him growing up, his temper keeps him from trusting and opening his heart.”
“Have you brought up counseling?” Kimberly asked.
“I haven’t.” But not because Oliver might be unwilling to talk about his feelings. He’d been in therapy while dealing his addiction. No, it was Sammi whose whole body went cold at the thought of discussing their issues. What if she received clear confirmation that their relationship was doomed? “He’s been angry for so long... I’m not sure he wants to let go of it.” The familiar darkness had become such a part of him that she worried he knew no other way to exist.
“So what are you going to do?”
“If I’m unwilling to raise my child in a negative environment, I need to make a decision about our relationship as soon as possible.”
Later that evening, Sammi’s conversation with Kimberly seemed like an overreaction as she emerged from Oliver’s bedroom. His eyebrows went up as he took in her new finery, and Sammi trembled beneath the onslaught of appreciation radiating from him.
“You look incredible,” he murmured, taking her hand and turning her slowly so he could admire her from every angle. “Absolutely gorgeous.”
He wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed his way along her temple to her ear, where he began whispering provocative alternatives to
