Chapter 3

The next morning, Lucas was waiting for me on my usual route.

When he saw me driving alone, he let out a sigh of relief.

"Rachel, I brought your favorite waffle. Look, they're still steaming fresh," Lucas said.

He swung open my car door with practiced ease and hopped right in as he'd done this a hundred times before.

The aroma of waffles filled the car, and I frowned slightly.

"Get out," I snapped.

Lucas froze for a moment and continued, "Rachel, are you still mad at me? I had amnesia back then. I didn't know about us. If I had, I never would've said anything to hurt you."

Before I could respond, he placed the waffle in front of me like a prized offering. The smell of the cheap ingredients made my stomach turn.

Without a second thought, I snatched the breakfast from his hands and tossed it out the window into a nearby trash can.

"I don't eat waffles," I said, looking him dead in the eye.

Lucas slapped his forehead, looking annoyed. "Sorry, Rachel. I got my memory back, and I still can't remember what you like. It's my fault," he said.

"So, what do you want to eat? I can have my driver go get it for you," he suggested.

"Let me say it one more time. Get out," I said coldly.

Lucas shot me that cocky grin and added, "Rachel, I get it, and I'm sorry. If you need to vent, hit me. I'm back safe, and both our families are still counting on the wedding.

"Come on, you've been pissed at me long enough. We've been through so much together. Are we going to let something this dumb ruin it all?"

I wasn't in the mood to play games. I waved for security and had them toss him out.

No sooner had Lucas been kicked out than his girlfriend showed up.

"Lucas, didn't you say you were going to get me breakfast?" she asked, sounding sweet and innocent. It was the same girl I'd seen at the bridal shop before.

She looked about twenty and was pretty cute.

Lucas had good taste in girlfriends. I'd give him that.

"Emily, just behave, okay? I've got something to deal with right now. Head back by yourself," Lucas said, slipping a bank card into her hand.

"There's 30 thousand dollars on this card, and the PIN is your birthday. Buy whatever you want. If that's not enough, let me know," he added.

After fussing over her for a while, Lucas finally got her to leave.

Her name was Emily Lane. She was twenty-two, working part-time at a coffee shop to help her struggling family. Her parents only cared about her younger brother and made her quit school so she could earn money to pay for his tuition.

When Lucas heard about all this, he didn't even blink. He bought the coffee shop and threw in a luxury villa for her.

Lucas had left his jacket in my car, and when I came back, I walked right into this drama.

"Your jacket got my car dirty," I said, dropping it at his feet.

Lucas's eyes sparkled, and he said, "Rachel, you still care about me, don't you? Otherwise, you wouldn't have come all this way to bring me my jacket."

Lucas hurried to explain, "Come on, it's not what you think. That girl has it tough. You won't believe how messed up her parents are."

I interrupted, "Whatever is going on with her family has nothing to do with me."

Lucas was about to say something else when my phone suddenly started ringing.

I answered right in front of him.

"Honey, why aren't you upstairs yet?" Adam's voice rang out through the speakers.

I had the speakerphone on, so Lucas heard every word.

"Something came up here, but I'll be up in a bit," I replied.

Adam's warm and caring voice came through again. "Honey, take your time and drive safely. Both of us will be waiting for you at our usual spot. Love you."

Before I could say anything else, Lucas snatched the phone out of my hand.

"Who the hell are you? Rachel hired you to play this role, didn't she? How much did she offer? Whatever it is, I'll give you double. I'll make it ten times," Lucas yelled.

Adam replied coldly, "Lucas, this is Rachel's husband. I don't want you to bother us anymore."

Lucas thought the voice sounded familiar, but he couldn't figure out who it was.

He was about to press for answers when the phone suddenly powered off.

I rubbed my temples, realizing I'd rushed out without charging it.

I snatched the phone back and turned to leave.

"Rachel, you don't have to go to all this trouble to get under my skin. That man you had on the phone is a pro you hired, right? I have to admit you almost had me fooled," Lucas shot back.

Lucas slapped his forehead, annoyed with himself. Then he added, "I almost forgot. There's a business party tonight. I'll be representing the family. You have to be there."