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“Explained what?”
“Hmm?”
“You said you could have explained.”
Did I really say that out loud? I shook my head, plastering a smile on my face. “Nothing. I don’t know what I was saying. I was on the run for too many days.”
“How was roughing it? Did you figure anything out?”
“Yes. I don’t like any sheets other than the ones on my bed.”
“That’s my spoiled girl. I knew you couldn’t have gone along willingly. I was telling Ben that you just aren’t the type of girl who roughs it.” He laughed lightly. “Imagine you going anywhere without your face creams and fancy shoes.”
“What do you know about my face creams?” I snapped. God, he really did make me sound shallow.
“Wren, I’ve been with you when you buy your girly things. I’ve never seen someone spend so much money on skincare products.”
It seemed everyone in my life thought I was really as vain as Bryce just described me. How had I not seen it before? Oh, right. Because I only thought of myself. Well, that was going to change. I might be just as predictable as Brock said I was. Maybe I did need the lavish lifestyle and money to survive, but that didn’t mean it was the only important thing in my life.
“So, I think it’s time to speed up the timeline on our engagement.”
“What?” I asked, shocked that he wanted to rush things. “I thought you were still having fun? Besides, it would look strange if we suddenly got engaged.”
“Not at all,” he said, guiding me into the living room. “You were just missing. If anything, this is the perfect opportunity for us. Your life was in danger and it made me wake up and see how short life really is.”
“I don’t know. I think we might be rushing this,” I said, walking away from him. My palms started to sweat at the thought of announcing our engagement. Breathing felt impossibly difficult. Could I really go through with this? Bryce was everything I wanted, but the moment he talked about announcing our impending nuptials, all I could think about was Brock. That had to be a sign.
“Rushing this?” he laughed. “Wren, this is the perfect time. If we wait, it’ll make me look bad.”
My head snapped up at his comment. How dare he look bad after screwing a woman in public. “I think you already achieved that.”
“Wren, let’s not start pointing fingers. We both know what this is.”
“I know, and I don’t blame you for what happened, but I need some time. The past few weeks have been…”
“Which is why we need to seize the opportunity. We don’t have to get married right away, but the timing couldn’t be better.” He took a seat beside me, taking my hand in his. “I’ll have the announcement written up. The last thing we need is someone else deciding what should be written. After that, we can pick a wedding coordinator. You know my mother will want to handle most of the details, so you won’t even have to worry about anything.”
I forced a smile, feeling like I was suffocating. I knew this was the life I wanted, but it was all moving too fast. I just needed time to recover from…from Brock. He’d shifted my focus, making me feel things I had no right to. My life was not his, and I had to get that through my head before I took this any farther.
But Bryce had different ideas. If I pulled away, I risked him finding someone else to take my place. I had worked too hard for my image, and I couldn’t let the life I planned fall apart because I couldn’t get Brock out of my head.
“You know what, I think a well-planned dinner is what we need.”
His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “You want me to propose in public? That’s so unlike you.”
“I know, but I think it would set the right tone for us.”
“Friday night. I’ll make a reservation.”
“I’ll get my hair done.” I stood, letting him know I was done with this conversation. “Oh, and Bryce. Don’t forget the ring.”
“Send over some pictures of what you want. I’ll have my assistant pick it up during the week.”
His assistant was going to pick it up. That was…just like Bryce. As I walked him to the door, I realized this would be my life from now on. His assistant would send me flowers on our anniversary. I would always have to pick out my own jewelry, never getting something genuine from him. And our lives would always be filled with polite conversation.
“Bryce!” I called out before he could get in his car. “Surprise me.”
He looked at me funny, then got in his car and drove away. I might live to regret that.
