Page 36 of Worth the Fall
“Oh.” He said, putting down the menu and reaching into his pocket. He took out the little velvet box and tossed it on the table. “Right. Here.”
I watched it roll twice before landing upside-down.
The bell on the top of the door rang, announcing the arrival of another guest.
I stared at the table, not ready to meet his gaze as I broke the news. “Harrison, I want you to listen with an open mind, okay? Please don’t freak out or-”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Harrison, we need to break up,” I finally spat out. “I thought I loved you and knew exactly what I wanted my life to end up like, but these past few days-”
“Allegra,” he interrupted.
I finally looked up, angry that he couldn’t even let me break up with him the way I wanted to. “Harrison, please.”
He was snarling.
“Here’s that water for…you…” The waitress said, feeling the tension between us. “Looks like you two need a minute. I’ll come check on you in a bit.” She almost ran away.
I tried again. “These past few days, I’ve had time to-”
“Allegra, I will not listen to another word,” he informed me. “I know exactly what you’re going to say.”
I plucked the napkin from my lap and slammed it on the table. “Oh, really? Do tell.”
“Yeah, I know, and I don’t want to hear all about how you slept with the cowboy and his exciting hick life made you realize you didn’t want me.” He was yelling now, and everyone in the cafe was slowly turning their heads to look at me.
I huffed and crossed my arms. “Is that right? How are you so sure?”
“Because he’s here.”
I turned sharply.
Colton, Jimmy, Alan, and Dean were standing by the door, not bothering to hide the fact that they were staring at us.
Chapter Thirteen
I thought I was going to vomit.
Colton waved slightly, making Harrison laugh out loud.
He was still wearing his rodeo clothes, a dark blue shirt that clung to his chest. His jeans were slightly dusty from the arena. He was wearing his usual tan cowboy hat and, of course, the dark, heavy boots.
I turned back to Harrison, my face on fire. Everyone around us was nearly silent, excited to hear how this situation would explode. “You need to listen to me. Can we go somewhere private to talk?”
He laughed, a mocking, cruel laugh. “What? Are you embarrassed to do this in front of all your new hick friends?”
I felt the need to apologize to every single person in this town for his behavior.
Fine. I guess we were doing this here. “I didn’t sleep with anyone. What I was going to say was that I spent the last few days reflecting and spending time with my-”
“I don’t have to listen to this,” he growled. He pushed his chair back so hard that the legs scraped the real hardwood floors below him. He was standing, but didn’t move, his eyes narrowed at the cowboys, fresh from the rodeo, standing at the door. “Don’t act like you’re here for a nice meal, cowboy. Come on. Have at her.”
I gave Harrison an appalled look. “Harrison. Stop it.”
His gaze turned to me, glaring through his spotless circle glasses. He picked up the velvet box and shoved it back into his pocket. He leaned across the table, getting right up in my face. “Go have your fun with the hick in his barn.” His words were venomous. “See how much your career loves you when I call Craig Sterling Monday morning and tell him you ran off with the talent. See how fast that promotion evaporates when the board knows you chose a good time over this project.”
I never questioned how he knew my boss’ first name, but as he threatened to blackmail me, I knew that his relationship with Mr. Sterling was good enough to ruin mine. I stood up and grabbed his arm as he turned to leave. “Harrison, let me explain-”
