David scoffed. “I could have her if I wanted her.”
Everly gasped. As if the cheating wasn’t enough, the woman had to be the sexiest woman alive. She would never measure up to that celebrity. David was handsome, driven, and intelligent. He could have almost any woman he wanted.
Right now, Everly was keenly aware of how much she didn’t want him.
He obviously thought he could have herandother women, and she couldn’t let that be her lot in life.
David’s voice was quieter now and tinged with remorse. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t mean it.”
“I don’t care. I’m glad I didn’t do anything with you that I’d regret.” Well, she regretted spending so many years of her life with him, but she couldn’t change the past.
“How long are you going to make me wait?” he asked.
Everly wanted to laugh and tell him to hold his breath. She didn’t want him to die, per se, but she might feel better if he passed out from oxygen deprivation.
“You can wait for the rest of your life. I was wrong to trust you.”
David huffed. “This is ridiculous. We’re getting married.”
“No, we’re not. This is the end. I’m not marrying you.”
“Everly. We’re supposed to get married,” David said as if reminding her of her duty.
“Getting married to me isn’t a task on your to-do list that you can just check off. It’s over, and we’re not getting married.”
“We agreed to get married.”
A nervous chuckle bubbled out of her chest. “We also agreed to be faithful.”
“We can still make this work.”
Everly’s anger burned hotter by the minute, and she didn’t care if people were staring. If they stayed on the phone, things would only get worse.
“I need to go,” she said quietly.
“Everly, don’t go. Come to Cleveland. We’ll talk more when you get here.” There was a gentle plea in his voice, but it did nothing to turn her heart to him.
“I’m not coming.” She couldn’t get her flight refunded, but she could cancel the hotel room she’d booked for the weekend. Maybe she could even return the expensive ball gown she’d bought for the banquet.
David growled low and menacingly. “You can’t be serious.”
“I am. I won’t be with a man who doesn’t respect me enough to be faithful.”
Her mini speech sounded strong, but she couldn’t take credit for that life lesson. Her mom had always built her confidence, fearing Everly would feel inadequate in the shadow of an athletic prodigy. Her mom had always reminded her to know her worth and to not let anyone disrespect her. She’d gotten the first part down, sort of. The last one was tougher since the primary factor was another person–someone she couldn’t control.
“Everly, please get on the plane. We can talk this through.”
“I don’t want to talk it through. It’s best we go our separate ways.”
“You can’t do that. Give me another chance.” His voice was panicked now, but his pleas didn’t hold weight.
Her voice shook. “I’m sorry. I can’t come.”
“Everly!”
She quickly ended the call and dropped the phone onto the table. She tucked her shaking hands between her knees and pushed out a deep breath with puffed cheeks. She’d done it, but now she felt sick to her stomach. So many thoughts rushed through her head at once.
The wedding. At least she hadn’t planned anything yet. Maybe she’d been dragging her feet for a reason? She’d thought the cold feet were normal. Had her hesitation been more than that?