FOUR MONTHS AFTER THE DIVORCE, THOMAS PRESENTED HIS NEXT PLAN
Another folder.
This time:
real-estate projections,
company forecasts,
investment proposals.
And a family name.
Ashcroft.
Thomas poured bourbon.
“The Ashcrofts could change everything.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ashcroft Capital has the money Carter Development needs to expand.”
Then he smiled.
“And they have a daughter.”
I stared at him.
“Thomas.”
“Just meet her.”
Her name was Brianna Ashcroft.
Beautiful.
Educated.
Sharp.
Her father had access to capital Thomas desperately wanted.
I met Brianna at a dinner Thomas arranged down to the candles.
And the uncomfortable part?
I liked her.
She was kind.
Funny.
Much less pretentious than her family’s money suggested.
We began dating.
Ten months after my divorce from Marissa—
I proposed.
Brianna said yes.
Her father looked almost happier than she did.
Thomas raised a glass.
“To the future.”
I told myself that was exactly what I was building.
A future.
I refused to notice how empty I felt putting another woman’s engagement ring on her hand.
