Chapter 41
Chapter Forty-One
Jade
After the excellent meal I decide to head into the crowd. A band is playing, couples on the dance floor. Myles is holding Zara close, his eyes closed as they sway blissfully. I spot Bryce and Claire; he has his hands on her ass, smiling down at her.
I’m not really sure what I’m looking for. I suppose there are a few people here I know, so I should say hello. Then I spot Zach’s golden head above the crowd and realise what I need to do.
What I should have done, instead of taking off to a place where he couldn’t reach me, even though it was the only thing I was capable of doing at the time. He deserves better.
I push through the throng of people, nodding at a few acquaintances, until it clears enough that I can see Zach.
He’s facing the wall, one arm braced above a young woman with her back to the wall.
She has long wavy red hair and is wearing a dress the colour of spring leaves, embroidered and sparkling.
Zach’s free hand slides inside the cup of her corseted top as he leans in to kiss her.
Shit.
Apart from the fact that I’m sure the last thing he wants is his ex-girlfriend interrupting him, this is still a public place. And the woman he’s with has a big diamond gleaming on the ring finger of the hand currently buried in Zach’s hair.
When he lifts his head, I recognise her. Double shit. Rebecca Silvers. Her husband is a big Hollywood producer. He’s also an ex-boxing champ. And the last thing Myles needs tonight is for it to be marred by the kind of mess that will ensue if they’re caught by the wrong person.
I swallow, then march over to them. I put my hand on Zach’s arm as he bends his head for another kiss. Close up, I can smell alcohol.
“Zach!” I pull at him.
He lifts his head. When he sees me, he grins a lopsided grin. “Come to join the party, Jade? I knew you still wanted me.”
Oh my god. I haven’t drunk a thing all evening, apart from water, and I’m glad. Because drunk me might have considered joining in, despite what a spectacularly stupid idea that would be.
“No, I haven’t come to join in,” I hiss. “I think your husband is looking for you,” I continue, shooting a sharp look at Rebecca.
She ducks out from under Zach’s arm. “See you later, honey,” she says, patting Zach on the cheek and sauntering away.
“What the fuck, Jade?” Zach glowers down at me. “Can’t have me yourself so you’ve decided to cockblock me?”
“I’m not cockblocking you. I’m trying to stop you getting your head smashed in by someone’s husband.” I’m so angry I want to scream, but keep my voice low. “You’re playing with fire, Zach.”
“So what?” His voice is slurred and he staggers, slightly. “So fucking what? I can do what I like.” He jabs at me with his finger. “Remember? You broke up with me.”
“You did what you liked before we broke up.”
“Is that what this is about? I told you I’d stop all the other women, if you came back to me.” His voice cracks. “I still love you, Jade. But you told me it was over, so why the fuck do you care who I kiss?”
“I care if it means you get your face caved in,” I hiss. “I’ll always care about you.” I soften my tone. “Always. I’m sorry for how it all went down. I just… I don’t want you to get hurt.”
He’s so close to me, his familiar heat and scent all around.
He bends his head, kissing me before I can step back.
It’s sweet, but that’s all. “I’ll always love you,” he mumbles.
“But I can see it, now.” His hand comes to my face, his thumb stroking across my cheekbone.
His ocean-blue eyes are dark with sorrow.
“Something’s changed, hasn’t it? You won’t ever come back to me. ”
I swallow, shaking my head. “No. I’m sorry.”
He blinks, his mouth twisting. His hand leaves my cheek, but slowly, as though he doesn’t want to let go. My whole chest aches. Despite it all, I don’t want to hurt him.
“I wish you every joy in the world, Zach.” I turn and walk away, not looking back, as the room blurs and shakes. It’s the right thing to do, I tell myself as I move blindly through the throng, ending up at the auction display on the other side of the room.
I need a moment to compose myself, so pretend I’m checking out the lots. No one has written anything under my bid for the Black Axe.
Someone bumps my shoulder. “Those boards aren’t really for fucking tourists. But I guess we can make an exception for you.”
What on earth?
I know that voice. But it’s so wildly out of place that I don’t know what to do for a moment.
“What’s the matter, Jade? Cat got your tongue?”
I turn to see a curvy young woman with dark hair, clad in satin the colour of a grape. She’s grinning, her teeth white against her tanned skin.
It’s Mish.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“I came to apologise. I should have never…” She pauses, looking around. “This is freaking amazing. I’m so sorry I doubted you.”
“Bit of a long way to come to tell me that.” This is the last thing I need. And a painful reminder of what I’m trying to forget.
“Well, I also brought something with me. Something you left on the island.”
“What?” I don’t care about anything I left behind. Apart from my heart, and I doubt she has that in her tiny satin evening bag.
Mish just smiles. “I came with a date,” she says. “But we’re just friends. I think he’s in love with someone else.”
She turns her head. I follow her gaze. And it’s as though my heart slams back into my chest, in all its aching, loving glory.
Standing at the end of the auction display, tall and lean in a flawless black tuxedo, his sandy blond hair tousled, is a man.
It’s Axel.