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I see his eyes swing to the table where Dax’s diamond ring is still twinkling on my left hand.

He stretches his legs out and leans back in his chair. “I guess I should congratulate you on the engagement. I’m curious, though. Exactly how long have you been engaged? I mean, up until about three months ago, you were living with me and engaged to me. I’m interested in how all this played out.”

“Love at first sight. You wouldn’t know anything about that. Just drop it,” I tell him.

“Looks like there’s quite a bit of money at stake with this show.” His calculating eyes focus on mine.

I get the feeling he’s waiting for me to crack, but I’m not going to. I should’ve known better than to meet up with him. I’ve got to find a way to get out of here.

My cell phone starts buzzing and ringing as the alarm goes off. I lean back in relief.

“Time’s up, Anthony.” I scoot my chair back and stand. “Are you in agreement about my proposal for the condo?”

He taps his chin and frowns at me. “I’m going to need a few days to think about it. You know how hard it is to find a nice place for a decent price in the city. I’m not so sure I’m willing to give up our condo. Maybe you can find a way to sweeten the deal, now that you seem to be coming into some money?”

I grab my coffee from the table and shoot him a look that would have other people squirming. Not Anthony. He just sits there and smirks as though he knows he has me by the balls.

“The deal I gave you is the only one you’ll get. My next move is to get an attorney. If I have to do that, you won’t get anything.”

Anthony raises his hands and does a slow clap. “Resorting to threats, I see. I guess you’re done playing nice. Tell you what. I can be reasonable. Like I said, give me a few days, and I’ll get back to you.”

“Fine. You know how to reach me,” I say.

I rush out of there as fast as I can. For the first time, I feel truly thankful that he cheated on me. It’s got to be the single best thing that has ever happened to me. I almost married that psychopath. His unhealthy obsession with me has gotten downright scary.

The two biggest worries gnawing at my insides are the condo and the show. I always knew there was a chance he’d find out about the TV show. With how few viewers the station gets, I’d hoped the possibility was a small one. No one could’ve anticipated the show’s popularity. Now that Anthony knows about it, I’m afraid he’s going to use that against me. He’s proven to be a complete slimeball. If he tries to extort money from me, I’m not entirely sure what I’ll do. I guess I’ll have to make good on my threat to go to an attorney and hope they can help.

I just hope he leaves Dax out of it. Even though Dax can handle himself, I’d hate for him to get any more involved than he already is.

All I can do is wait for Anthony’s phone call and hope he takes my deal.

One week later, I still haven’t heard from Anthony. Each day that passes, I grow more and more anxious. Every time my phone buzzes with a text or the phone rings, I jump out of my skin with nervousness.

After our conversation at the coffee shop, I felt confident that Anthony was at least willing to work with me. The radio silence is draining and unsettling. It feels like the other shoe is about to drop, and there’s nothing I can do about it but wait.

And the worst part?

The grand finale is tonight. I never called or texted Dax, as I had promised. After tonight, he’ll probably never speak to me again. I’ve never felt as emotionally unstable and fragile as I do at this very moment. I’m afraid I’m going to completely lose it.

I just need to get through tonight. Then, I’ll call the lawyers tomorrow and figure out this thing with Anthony. I’m so done with all of this.

A hand on my arm startles me out of my thoughts.

“Ms. Roberts, you’re going on in thirty seconds,” says a petite brunette. “Just wait over there for your signal.”

I look around for Dax, but they’ve kept him waiting in another room. I would’ve liked to at least see him once before going out on live TV, but it’s completely my fault that I’m not being given the opportunity.

I should’ve called him like I promised.

The brunette waves me forward. “It’s showtime,” she whispers.

The bright lights of the stage blind me as I slowly walk to the middle of the stage, where a black couch is waiting. I spot the host, Anne-Marie, perched on a black-and-gray floral-patterned chair adjacent to the couch. And there’s Dax, looking as handsome as ever, coming from the opposite side of the stage.

Even from here, I can see his blue eyes sparkle from the reflection of the stage lights. My stomach does a flip-flop when his eyes catch mine. I try not to notice how his dark gray suit fits snugly in all the right places, but it’s difficult when the object of your every dream is walking right toward you.

I’ve never been in front of a live audience or a crowd of this size. It doesn’t take me long to realize how much I dislike it. I wipe my sweaty palms on my black dress pants before taking Dax’s hand.

The lights are so bright, and I’m so nervous. I can’t get a read on Dax at all. His face is impassive as he faces me, but his lips move up into a smile as we turn toward Anne-Marie.