New Beginnings (Marie) by Mel Steele novel Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Marie’s POV

“That felt amazing!” I said, wrapping my arms around Colton’s neck.

He chuckled and kissed me. “I am proud of you”

We went to a few more stores when Colton grabbed my hand and pulled me into a jewelry store.

“We need to pick out wedding bands,” he said with a huge smile.

I was so focused on finding the right band that I didn’t realize more people had walked into the store till I turned right into Luca.

For a brief moment, my heart jumped in my throat. Not in a romantic way, but in the crap I tried to avoid this guy kind of way.

“Marie,” he said, surprised.

“Hi Luca.” I said as Colton wrapped his arm around my waist.

“Hi Luca.” Colton said, putting his hand out to shake Luca’s.

I noticed a tall woman standing slightly behind Luca whom I assumed was his fiancé or maybe his

wife now.

She was pretty with long black hair, big brown eyes, and high cheek bones. To be honest, she looked angry and I waited for Luca to introduce us but he didn’t.

“What are the two of you doing in Florida?”

“We leave tomorrow. I had to come deal with stuff.” I replied. He didn’t know about any of the money I received and I didn’t feel like he needed to know.

“Oh OK.” He looked down right at my ring and back to me.

I smiled. “We are getting married on Saturday, so we figured we should be our wedding band

“You’re getting married?” He asked, confused.

“Yes,” I said, looking up at Colton.

“Congratulations,” Luca said, sounding bitter.

“Luca.” The girl behind him finally spoke.

“What?” Luca asked.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me?”

ན་ནམ།

“No.” He replied, his eyes never leaving me.

“Well, I think we should get going. It was nice seeing you Luca. I called you, you know.”

“When?”

“Months ago. I spoke to your fiancé. I thought she would tell you.” I said, looking at the girl still standing behind Luca. She instantly put her head down.

“She didn’t, but I will deal with that later.”

“It’s not a big deal and congratulations on getting engaged.”

“It’s arranged and what is best for the family.”

“I understand Luca.”

“Hey man, it was really good seeing you. If you can manage to make it on Saturday at 2:30, we are getting married at my parents‘.”

Luca looked at Colton in disgust. “You are getting married at your parents‘ house?”

“I sort of decided on Monday I wanted to get married on Saturday and getting married at Susan’s and Charlie’s is perfect. You know I don’t need anything fancy.” I said, looking at Colton and smiling.

“Marie, can we talk…alone?”

“Go ahead babe. I will pay for our rings and then we can go.” Colton said and kissed me on the

cheek.

“Tori, stay here and pick out whatever you want.” Luca said, his eyes never leaving me.

We stepped out of the store and sat on a nearby bench.

“Are you sure you want to marry him?”

“Yes…In fact, I have no doubt.”

“I’m sorry I never explained why I did’t come back.”

“I understand and, Luca, I will always love you, but it’s time to let me go.”

“I don’t know if I can.”

“Why don’t you give Tori a go? She obviously likes you and she is beautiful.”

“She is isn’t she.”

“He makes you happy?”

“He does and he is perfect for me, Luca. Can’t you see how happy I am?”

“I can, I just wish it was me.”

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I smiled at him. “How about you work on making Tori happy before you lose her and maybe in time she will help you forget about me.”

“I don’t know if I could ever forget you, but she is smart. Like really smart and god so sexy”

I started laughing. “You do like her! Stop being an ass.”

He started laughing at me. “I just don’t like being told what to do.”

“And she does?”

“I never looked at if from her side.”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.

Moments later, Colton came out of the store. Luca stood and shook his hand.

“Take good care of her and I guess I will see you on Saturday.”

Luca kissed my cheek and walked back into the store.

We finished shopping and headed back to our hotel. We decided to order in and relax since we planned to leave early the next morning.

We were cuddling on the bed when the food arrived. Colton opened the door to find it was not food but Steve standing at our door.

“What are you doing here?” Colton asked.

I looked over to see Steve.

“I just wanted to talk to Marie.”

Colton looked over at me and I nodded.

Steve walked in and stood awkwardly in our room.

“You can sit.” I said.

“Listen Marie. I messed up and I have no excuse for why I didn’t take you. I was selfish and I v. really like to make it up to you now. I did have ill intentions when I first found you at your lawyers

office.”

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