Page 84 of Release Me

REBEKKA

I pluck my mobile out of the only handbag Callaghan packed for me—a Marc Jacobs oversized tote in tan that matches my knee-high Louboutins.

Anthony flashes across the screen.

I swear the bastard can somehow sense my happiness and is hell bent on ruining it.

I cancel the call and toss the phone onto the table. It rings again immediately. I cancel that call too. And the next.

‘Asshole,’ Rian spits.

When it rings for a fifth time, he says, ‘Maybe you should answer it.’ He eyes the phone. ‘Or I could answer it for you?’

‘What am I supposed to say?’ I should have known he’d ruin the best day I’ve had in years. He can’t seem to help himself.

‘Tell him you’re leaving him, you want a divorce and that you’re going to marry me the second he grants you one.’ A wicked smile curls his lips up.

‘Very funny.’

‘I’m not joking, sweetheart.’ He eyes me steadily.

‘You’re crazy.’ I reach for my drink as the phone continues to buzz on the table between us.

‘Crazy about you.’ His eyes flick to the phone. It’s relentless. ‘He’s not going to give up. He’ll probably send out a search party if you don’t tell him where you are.’

‘He’ll send one if I do, trust me.’ I take another sip of champagne, but the goodness has gone from it with my mobile blowing up like a bomb between us.

‘Tell him you need some space to figure things out. Tell him you’re staying with me.’

‘That will go down well.’

‘It won’t—but I will.’ He winks again.

‘Such a joker.’

‘Better than being a joke.’

I stare at him for a long beat. ‘Wait, is that what you think you are—a joke?’ I try to block out the incessant buzzing because I have a feeling this conversation is way more important than whatever my asshole husband has to say.

‘I don’t.’ He shrugs. ‘But sometimes I think my family think I am. They’re always ribbing me about the bars and clubs—especially the gentlemen’s club.’

‘Your family adore you. They probably rib you because you’re always ribbing them. No one in their right mind would ever consider you a joke. Look at what you’ve achieved. You’re twenty-seven and you own a string of successful bars and nightclubs.’ I remind him. ‘That’s not a joke, Rian. That’s incredible.’

His mouth curves, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. ‘Maybe. But sometimes I feel I’ll always be the eternal kid brother. They won’t take me seriously until I settle down.’

‘Why didn’t you settle?’ The words are out before I can stop myself.

He doesn’t hesitate. ‘Because I met you.’

The air leaves my lungs in a rush.

His eyes pin mine, steady, unflinching. ‘That night, at your engagement party… something inside of me just… screamed at me. Everyone else faded out. There’s been no one since who’s come close. I tried. Fuck, you know there’s been a lot of women.’ He looks at the floor. ‘But I couldn't settle, when I knew what I was settling forwasn’t you.’

‘Rian…’ My voice cracks.

He reaches across, covers my hand with his, thumb stroking slow circles. ‘I tried, Bekka. But the truth is, the minute I saw you, you ruined me for anyone else.’

The phone buzzes again, insistent and ugly on the tablecloth between us. But I don’t look at it. I can’t. I’m too busy staring at the man across from me, and realising that my heart isn’t just racing—it’s breaking wide open.