We are sitting at the table with my friends, I'm on my boyfriend's lap with my arms draped around his neck. I feel his lips on my neck, and I turn to smile at him.
"Where is an ATM? I need to pull out some cash." He asks.
Alex spits his champagne back into his glass when he starts choking. I'm looking at him with wide eyes for help. I was panicking. Ben couldn't go to the ATM because he would see what I've done, and he would leave the party.
"Um...huh...um...I don't think they have an ATM here at the hotel." Alex stutters.
"I'm sure they do. I'll just run and ask the front desk." He says to us with a smile.
"Why do you need money? Everything is covered tonight." I ask him.
"I want to tip the staff. I know how hard they are working."
I look at Ben and bite my bottom lip. "Wait. I have something that I need to tell you."
"Yes, the something stupid text." He grins.
"Do you need to smoke?" I ask.
He looks between me and Alex with a questioning glance. "Um, I was thinking of quitting...but I could use some fresh air."
Outside, the cold air rips through us. Ben wiggles out of his suit coat and wraps it around me. He runs his hands up and down my cold arms.
"Spill it. I can see something is eating you up inside."
Nodding, I tell him that I have a couple things to get off my chest. "I'm still a little angry that you left and hid at Alex's place. This won't be our last disagreement and I need you to promise me that we won't run from it."
"That is fair. I'm sorry that I ran. I'm so sorry that I hurt you." He nods.
"Why did you run? That's what I still don't understand." I ask with big eyes.
"I don't fit into this world and I'm trying. Part of me wants to tell you to go back inside and be with Alex because he is such a great guy. I know that he would take care of you the way you should be. But then there is the selfish side of me that doesn't want to share you and I know that I can take care of you better."
"Please stop being stupid. I want you. I don't know how else to tell you that. Alex is my best friend and yes, he's gorgeous, funny and safe, but he's not you. I love you and I'm sick of trying to prove that to you over and over. I'm so tired of everyone telling me what is good for me or my own good. I'm a grown ass woman that has been taking care of herself since she was 16 years old. I did something so very stupid today that I'm afraid of telling you because I think you'll walk away from me."
"Fat chance of that." He reaches for my hand.
My stomach is turning with nerves, and I hold his blue eyes for a minute.
"You can't go to the ATM because I don't want you to see your balance. I called George and asked him to deposit 100,000 dollars in your checking account. Plus, I asked that he grant you access to all my other accounts. I thought if you had access to the money, you'd feel better, and we'd be on the same playing field. I see now how stupid this is." He drops my hand and glares at me.
"You talk about how people treat you different because they know your story of your parents. You just made me feel like the biggest sack of shit. I don't need your money or want it. I'm okay with who I am." He tells me angry.
"It's not my money." I argue back at him. "You've made the comments about you paying for me or wanting to pay for me. Use this money. I have a bunch more and no one to share it with. My intent was to not make you feel this way, I love you the way you are, but I don't want to lose what we have over money and status."
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Heartlines
Romance*** Complete Story *** Allyson Sicard was in her final year at Harvard and while her roommates were trying to get their Ivy League boyfriends to propose, Ally was trying to figure out which law school she wanted to graduate from. Columbia had always...
