White Lies (A Twisted Fate Series) (Volume 1) (13 page)

Chewing my lip, I looked down. Tack was on my mind. I had no idea who the man was, but he had gotten under my skin. “Do you think it’s too early to move on?”

Mildred scoffed. “Willow, dear, after what Alex did to you?” I looked up, shocked and filled with shame. She continued, “You did nothing wrong, darling. Through it all, you stayed faithful to your vows. He was a truly nasty man for what he did to all of us. There aren’t many who would have stayed with him after all the terrible things he said to you. Chris and I pretended not to hear the fights, but we did.”

And she only knew a portion of the story.

“He was a piece of work. Why do I keep remembering the good times? Shouldn’t I be able to just be over it all?” If only she knew everything…

A soft sigh filled the pause. “Sometimes remembering the good helps validate what we did.” The bed dipped beside me. I liked her thought process about validating—it made sense. “It’s okay to move on, Willow. Who’s this man you’re thinking about?”

I shrugged. “I was curious.”

She patted my leg. “Don’t rush. Follow your heart.”

That was tough as I worked through it. I played with the hem of my T-shirt. “What if my heart tells me wrong… again?”

“Did it the first time? Was there no doubt?”

Her words penetrated through my thoughts. There had been some—no, actually there had been a lot of doubt when Alex asked me to marry him. It was the guilt that persuaded me. Alex had played the guilt card perfectly, manipulating me with his accident along the way. Prick. His fake accident since Tack confirmed the military was all a lie.

My silence was answer enough.

She stood. “I thought so. Willow…” She paused while I looked up. “I’m not saying go marry the first guy who makes you feel something. But don’t beat yourself up for Alex’s lies and deceit. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.”

With Gabe, initially there had been no doubt about my feelings. I would have risked everything for him.

But was I ready to put myself on the line like that again? I wasn’t sure. All I needed was to remind myself of Alex’s betrayal.

“Thank you, Mildred.” I stood to give her a hug and she brought me to her. “I appreciate you always being there for me since Mom couldn’t be.”

These were the conversations I imagined Mom and I having while eating a pint of ice cream. After all, she believed ice cream was the be-all and end-all. Her words brought happiness to me.
“Willow, if every argument had ice cream, the world would be a better place.”

Mom may have had a point.

Mildred patted my back. “I wouldn’t dream of being anywhere else.” We stayed in our embrace a little longer before she let go. “Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes. I made homemade ravioli with the primavera sauce.”

I raised an eyebrow. “That’s Carson’s favorite. He may tackle you from happiness.”

She giggled. “I hope so.”

“Mildred!”

She moved her hand in a dismissing motion. “Please, I have eyes. I can appreciate and hope for a little hugging.”

A full smile stretched across my face. Carson was definitely easy on the eyes. Most girls flocked to him. Whenever he dated someone, apprehension initially filled their eyes about our relationship and what I meant to Carson. Because of our closeness, most girls worried we were undeniably in love with each other. However, after hanging with us a few times, those worries eased as they experienced our platonic relationship.

Once, in high school, we tried kissing. Terrible was an understatement considering how brotherly and awkward it felt.
Ugh.
I shivered unpleasantly at the thought.

Before leaving the room, she pointed to a small manila folder on the table. “Since Carson was using the office, I cleaned out Alex’s old paperwork I found the day he fired me. I found those on the floor behind a bookshelf. When he fired me, he threw them on top of a stack of books. I noticed today they were still there.”

She shook her head, distancing herself from what I assumed was the memory, before looking at me again. “Thought you might want to go through it.”

That was not my idea of a good time—going through Alex’s stuff—but probably a good idea. “Thanks.” The door nearly shut when I called, “Mildred.”

“Yes?”

“What happened that day in the house when Alex tried to fire you?” Tears formed in her eyes. “You don’t have to tell me.”

Picking at an imaginary piece of lint on her apron, Mildred said, “I was in the office cleaning, when I saw this folder on the floor behind the bookshelf. As I placed it on his desk, Alex walked in, his foul mood evident. Asked me what I was doing. I said cleaning. Called me a few names and said to pack my bags and leave. I think he wanted to start something with the first person he saw.”

“Thank you, Mildred, for staying with me and putting up with all you did.”

“We’re family, Willow. That’s what family does. You’ll find your way again. I know it.”

The door shut without a sound as she left me alone with my thoughts.

I hoped so.

Why had I fought for my relationship with Alex for so long? Now that I was free from the toxicity, I knew I’d made the wrong choice staying with Alex. I’d helped in a few battered women’s shelters. It was always similar stories. The woman loved him, believed her companion had changed, was unable to leave… until it was almost too late.

The same held true for the relationship I’d been in. I also wondered how someone wasn’t able to see what was going on. Now, I knew. Sometimes the trees grew so thick around you that you weren’t able to see where you came from or where the path led.

Seeing the papers, I was not in the mood to deal with them today, even though I knew I should be. Later.

My real phone rang. It was Marissa. We’d been friends for a long time but drifted apart over the last year since Alex had come back into my life. She was one of my few friends who knew about my marriage.

Come to think of it, I isolated myself from almost everyone since marrying Alex. He hated crowds, he hated my friends, he hated going out. How had I let this happen? It had been slow, but he’d nearly managed to do it. I used to be extremely active, socially. Now, I painted and had spent an enormous amount of energy keeping my life together.

Was that his plan all along?

It wasn’t until I distanced myself from the situation I saw all he’d truly done.

The phone rang again. “Hello.”

“Oh, Willow, it’s so good to hear your voice. Is this a good time?”

I missed my old life as I heard Marissa’s voice. “It is. How have you been? I’ve missed talking to you.”

“I’ve missed you, too. Willow, I’m so sorry about Alex. I called Carson to check on you and he told me. I know how much you loved him.”

Marissa had always been a good friend to me. At one point, Alex was truly nasty to her and she stopped calling. We fought, but he won in the end since he removed her from my life. “I did. It was rough, though. Enough about me, how have you been?”

Definitely time for a subject change.

Excitement greeted me on the other end. “I’m getting married in six months.” A pause. “Oh, shit. Willow, I’m so sorry. That was unthoughtful of me with what’s going on. I didn’t call to tell you that. I honestly called to check on you.”

Marissa was always putting everyone else’s feelings first. She was the last of my friends to distance themselves. “Don’t worry about it at all. I’m glad to be getting good news for a change. When did he ask?”

“Two months ago.”

Since marrying Alex, I’d missed so much. Regret washed over me. But I was finding myself again. Repairing the damage. I pushed forward. “I’m sorry for everything.” My voice sounded thick with emotion.

“Willow, don’t you dare think twice about it. You had to do what you had to in order to make your marriage work. The girls and I are still here for you.”

“I love you guys.”

“We love you, too!” A knock on the door from her side broke her focus. “Give me ten.” A few words were exchanged, and then Marissa’s voice came back on the line. “Since I let the cat out of the bag, I do have a question for you.”

I stilled myself for what was to come, hoping Marissa hadn’t seen Alex tromping around town with anyone. With trepidation, I asked, “What’s that?”

“Will you be a bridesmaid? I know it’s short notice, but I’ve been holding a spot for you.”

Wow, she was serious. Even though I’d been out of their lives since marrying Alex, Marissa had kept me in her thoughts. Hope flowed through me. I hadn’t lost everything. Alex hadn’t been successful with everything he did. “I would be honored. What do you need from me?”

“Nothing, the dress shop had your measurements on file, so you have a dress being made. We’ll have to get fitted.” She sighed. “I hate talking about the wedding. I feel like I should be there for you. Can I do anything?”

“Trust me. I need the distraction. I want to be there for you guys.”

A pause stretched on noticeably long. “We’re having a weekend getaway in two days at Martha’s Vineyard. It’s a huge group of us going.”

“Just girls?”

“No, the whole gang.”

That sounded heavenly—seeing everyone again. Maybe that would jolt me into moving forward faster. “Do you mind if I bring Carson?”

She squealed. Actually squealed. “I love Carson. Yes, bring him. It’ll be like old times.”

Through our school years, we all hung out together. Generally, Carson and I went together unless we were seeing someone. “It will be. I can’t wait.”

Marissa went on to say, “Okay, I’ll send over the details of where we’re staying. I’ll put you down for two bedrooms in one of the houses.”

“Sounds perfect!”

A weekend with my friends was enough to lift my spirits. Though hard times had fallen, my true friends were still there for me.

Ignoring the pile of paperwork, I made my way down to the kitchen. The smell of oregano and cheese greeted me. I was ravenous. Carson was there serving two plates in business slacks and a dress shirt. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and I could tell he was stressed from the way he held his shoulders. “Hey there, I was about to come find you. Mildred made my favorite.”

“She told me. She hopes you tackle her. I’d watch your step.”

The serving spoon stopped halfway between the ravioli and the plate. His eyes widened. “You’re fucking with me.”

I shook my head and tittered, “I swear. Scouts honor.” I pressed on. “Want me to see if she wants to come to your place and play house?”

The giggles came unbidden from me. They escalated at the look of horror on Carson’s face. “Willow, she’s like a mom to me. You’re scaring me. That’s just… no.” He shook his head.

A snort broke free. “Your face.”

Carson placed the spoon back into the warming tray and shivered. “It’s good to see you happy again.” He walked closer. “Are we good?”

“We are. I’m sorry I snapped at you. It’s just… I shouldn’t have done that.”

Strong arms came around me. “I understand. You’re strong to be handling all this. Just know I’m here.”

“Thank you. Now let’s go upstairs on the back deck and eat our ravioli while you tell me about what happened in the hotel empire world today.”

“W
ake up, sleepyhead.”

Groggily my eyes opened. The plane was quiet. We weren’t moving. “Did we land?”

“Yeah, about five minutes ago. I had to finish a phone call with my European managers.”

The drive to Martha’s Vineyard was around five hours with an hour long ferry ride on top of it. With work piling up, Carson suggested we fly so he could get some work done. As soon as we boarded, I went to the bedroom at the back of the plane and fell fast asleep.

The interior was masculine and trendy, exuding power. Sleeping was the easiest way to get rid of the nerves of flying. Popping my neck, I sat up. “Is everything okay over there?”

He dragged a hand down his face. “It will be. I checked on you a few times and you were out. How are the nerves?”

“Good.” I stretched and felt a cool breeze on my stomach where my shirt rose. Quickly, I pulled it down. “It’s a lot easier when you fall asleep before takeoff. I like the new plane with the bed.”

When Carson took the hotels international, the company invested in this plane to expedite his travels. “I’ll let Dad know you approve of the purchase so we won’t have to return it.”

I swatted him on the stomach. “You’re crazy. I like this one better than your other one. I didn’t wake up once.” My voice turned serious. “Carson, if you need to travel for work, you know I’ll understand, right?”

“I know. I will be soon. I’m able to still manage things if you want me to stay with you a little while longer.”

I was relieved. It helped having him around. “Yeah, I’d like that. At least through the week, if that works.”

Hopefully by then we’d have a few more answers.

He looked at his phone and responded to a message. “Are we ready to head to the house?”

“Yes.” I had left out a teeny tiny detail of who might be staying in our house with us. It was hard maintaining a straight face.

Skeptically, he raised a brow. “What are you hiding from me? I know that look, Willow.”