An Engagement in Seattle - Debbie Macomber [120]
“We’re dead serious,” Chase responded.
“Lesley?” Tony looked at her, clearly expecting her to deny it.
“It’s true,” she said with as much conviction as she could manage.
“That’s ridiculous. You’ve never mentioned anyone named Chase and I know for a fact that you weren’t dating him before school was out. Isn’t this rather sudden?”
“Not in the least,” Chase said as if they’d been involved for years.
“Lesley?”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about my fiancée,” Chase said, smiling down at her.
It was all Lesley could do not to tell them both to stop playing these ridiculous games. Tony regarded her with a tormented expression, as though he was the loyal one and she’d betrayed him. Chase wasn’t any better. The full plumage of his male pride was fanned out in opulent display.
“You can’t possibly be marrying this man,” Tony said, ignoring Chase and concentrating on her instead.
“I already said I was.” She hated the way her voice quavered. Chase didn’t seem pleased with the lack of enthusiasm in her trembling response, but that couldn’t be helped.
“The ceremony’s tomorrow evening,” Chase added.
“Lesley, you don’t love this man,” Tony continued, his gaze burning into hers.
“You don’t know that,” Chase challenged.
“I do know it. Lesley loves me. Tell him, sweetheart. You’d be doing us both a grave disservice if you didn’t tell him the truth.”
Lesley could see no reason to confess the obvious. “I’m marrying Chase.”
“But you love me,” Tony insisted, his voice agitated. She noticed that he clenched his fists at his sides as if his temper was about to explode. He’d fight for her if necessary, he seemed to be saying.
“You’re already married,” Chase told Tony with evident delight.
Tony turned to Lesley once more, ignoring Chase. “Marrying April was a mistake. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. If only you’d returned my calls… I love you, Lesley. I have for years. I don’t know what came over me.… I can see now that April and I were never right for each other. I’ve been miserable without you.”
“You don’t need to listen to this,” Chase hissed in her ear. He tried to steer her past Tony and toward the front door, but she was rooted to the spot and unable to move.
“You’ve got to listen,” Tony pleaded, “before you ruin both our lives.”
“Where’s April now?” Chase asked.
“She left me.”
“You’re lying.” Chase’s voice was tight with barely restrained anger. “You said she was visiting her mother for a week.”
“She phoned and told me she’s not coming back. She knows I love Lesley and she can’t live with that anymore. It’s a blessing to us all.”
“If you believe him,” Chase said to Lesley, “there’s a bridge in Brooklyn you might be interested in buying.”
“I’m telling you the truth,” Tony insisted. “I should never have married April. It was a mistake on both our parts. April knows how I feel about you. She’s always known. I can’t go on pretending anymore. April can’t, either. That’s why she went to visit her mother and why she’s decided not to come back.”
“I’m marrying Chase.” Her voice wavered, but not her certainty. She couldn’t trust Tony, couldn’t believe him. Chase was right about that. He’d lied to her before, and the experience had taught her painful but valuable lessons.
“Lesley, don’t,” Tony cried. “I’m pleading with you. Don’t do something you’ll regret the rest of our lives. I made a terrible mistake. Don’t compound it by making another.”
“She doesn’t believe you any more than I do,” Chase said calmly.
“The least you can do is have the decency to give us some privacy,” Tony shouted, frustrated and short-tempered.
“Not on your life.”
“You’re afraid, aren’t you?” Tony shouted. “Because Lesley loves me and you know it. You think if you can keep her from listening to me, she’ll go through with the wedding, but you’re wrong. She doesn’t need you, not when she’s got me.”
“But she hasn’t got you. In case you’ve forgotten, I’ll remind you again—you’re married.”
As he was talking, Tony stepped closer to Chase, his stance challenging.
Chase dropped his arm from Lesley