So his influence will be an ongoing problem. One I’m not sure I want to deal with.”
“Then I guess you have to decide if being with Angela is worth it.” She glanced up at him.
“Who’s the parent here?” he teased. “I’m supposed to be the one dishing out the sage advice.”
“Actually, there are some things I need to tell you.”
“What is it, sweetheart?” He tensed.
Annabel turned toward her father and took a deep breath. “The wedding is off.”
“But the wedding is just a few weeks away.” His eyes widened and lines spanned his forehead. “Did you suddenly get cold feet?”
“I didn’t.” She stood, pacing the floor. “Mason did.”
Anger flared in her father’s eyes. “Why would he call off the wedding at this late hour?”
Annabel sat in the chair facing her father and folded her legs, yoga-style. “You know that vote of confidence? I could really use one of those right now, Dad.”
Her father sucked in a deep breath, as if preparing himself for impact. He nodded. “All right, Annabel. Let’s hear it.”
“I purchased some property.”
“You bought a house?”
“No. I purchased commercial property for Fairy Godmother. An old salon and the building next door to it. The salon is the perfect space to do the makeovers, and the space next door will house a high-end vintage consignment shop.”
“Annabel, you didn’t—”
“I know you don’t see it as a viable business, Dad. And maybe you’re right. But I believe in this idea, and I’m going to try it.”
“You’re as stubborn as your mother.” He smiled faintly and raked his fingers through his hair. “Especially when she believed she was right.”
“Exactly.” Annabel relaxed a little. “This venture is very important to me. I get to touch people’s lives in truly amazing ways, and it makes me happy.”
“I take it that Mason doesn’t see things that way.”
“No.” Annabel shook her head. “And he’s not willing to compromise. Guess he didn’t get the memo. That’s what marriage is all about.”
“I’ll have a little talk with Mason.” Her father stood, his features tense.
“I appreciate the offer, Dad. But please don’t. It’s over.” She shrugged. “I’ll admit, I was hurt at first, but I’ve had some time to think about it. Mason and I want very different things from a relationship. This is what’s best for me. I’ll be fine.”
“All right, pumpkin.” His forced smile made it obvious he was unconvinced that she didn’t need him. He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “But if you need me for any reason, you know I’m here.”
“I know. Thanks, Dad.” Annabel sank back onto her chair and watched her father leave.
Annabel worried her lower lip with her teeth as she twisted the large engagement ring on her slim finger. Her relationship with Mason had ended so abruptly, she’d barely had time to allow her new reality to register.
She was no longer getting married. A fact that she was surprisingly calm about. Perhaps even relieved.
Annabel slid the ring from her finger and put it in her jewelry chest. She’d return it to Mason. She had no doubt the jeweler would take it back.
But what about her?
The floor-length champagne-colored designer bridal gown with countless glittering crystals embedded in the organza overlay of the gown had cost nearly fifty thousand dollars. There was the expensive custom wedding band she’d purchased for Mason and all of the money for the reception hall.
Her father had sunk a small fortune into this wedding. And Mason had called the wedding off on a whim in what was essentially a tantrum.
Annabel felt better by the minute about not marrying Mason. But there was no way he was going to just call off the wedding and then walk away scot-free, leaving her family to foot the astronomical bill.
Not if she had anything to say about it.
She plopped on her chair again, turned on the television and scanned the channels. A commercial for Farrah’s came on. Annabel smiled thinking of the rich, creamy lemon icebox pie that was her favorite. And of the handsome stranger she’d encountered there earlier that day.
Annabel shrugged off the memory of the man’s sexy smile and the penetrating gaze he’d leveled at her, his eyes an intriguing shade of blue.
She was ending one misguided relationship and starting a new brick-and-mortar business on top of the vlog. Another entanglement was the last thing in the world she needed.
But there was no harm in daydreaming about it.
Roarke stood by the bar, sipping scotch and soda as he scanned the historic Crystal Ballroom located in the Rice Hotel in downtown Houston. The venue dated back to 1913 and had soaring thirty-five-foot ceilings, beautiful mahogany French doors and an elegant lobby with gorgeous crystal chandeliers. They’d been there less than an hour and he already had a collection of lipstick imprints on the side of his face, courtesy of older women he hadn’t seen since he was in high school.
“Here’s where you’ve been hiding.” Angela stood beside him. “Tired of little old ladies kissing your cheek and telling you what a big boy you are now?”
“Very funny, sis.” Roarke scrubbed at his face with a damp bar napkin. “I agreed to be your plus-one for tonight. I didn’t agree to make out with every retirement-age woman in the room.”
“But you’re so good at it, little brother.” Angela was clearly amused. “Seriously, thank you for coming. Esme, Melinda and Tatiana all had plans tonight.”
Tatiana Havery had been one of Angela’s best friends for as long as he could remember.
Angela thanked the bartender for her apple martini. She sipped it. “Mmm... That’s good.”
“I’ll have what she’s having.”
Roarke’s attention jolted to the source of the familiar voice. He’d only heard it once, but he’d never forget it.
“Lemon icebox pie,” Roarke said as his gaze met her warm brown eyes. Eyes he hadn’t been able to forget since he’d seen them in Farrah’s Coffee Shop a few days ago.
“Two pies,” she responded with a tip of her chin. Her smile lit up the entire room. A smile he could easily get lost in. She turned to his sister. “Angela, it’s good to see you.”
“Wait...
