Chapter 30
“Stop second-guessing yourself . The dress is perfect.”
I had frantically called Asia when I slipped on the dress, terrified it was way too sexy. It was one thing when I was a guest, but now I was a potential employee and was freaking out.
I had already filled her in on the job offer, and she was unhelpfully supportive, telling me whatever decision I made would work out, when I needed her to tell me what to do.
“But it’s so tight, Asia,” I whined for the fourth or fifth time, and she obviously wanted to slap me through the phone.
“You didn’t bring a backup, so unless you want to go naked, this is what you got, boo.”
I groaned but forced my feet into my heels.
“I’m gonna be sick. This party is going to be miserable. Why won’t any of you just tell me what to do?”
“Because you are too smart to let people make big decisions for you. So don’t let that sketchy new friend of yours who wants to steal you from me convince you to move to Boston.”
“Ah, babe! I love when you get jealous.”
“She can try all she wants, but you’re my best friend. Even if you move to Boston. Which is why I support whatever decision you make, like the true best friend I am.”
“You’re no help and I hate you.”
“Love you, too, even when you’re being a bitch.” She blew me a kiss and ended the call before I could retaliate.
I straightened my dress, doing one last sweep of my appearance. I was pleasantly surprised by my hair, which I had pinned back on the sides but left to fall down my back in long curls. There was no frizz, and I figured it was because of the lack of humidity. Add good hair to the pros list for Boston. My makeup was expertly done, with dramatic liner and mascara to bring out my eyes, paired with a soft pink lipstick. I looked amazing, even though I worried about my dress.
I made my way down to the lobby, where our group would be waiting. We used the far-side exit because it was closer to the venue. Unfortunately, it included an extra staircase, and as I started the descent in my four-inch heels, I cursed the architects who thought it was a good idea to put an exit on a floor lower than the elevator. I didn’t know who they were, but I was 100 percent certain they’d never worn stilettos.
I got my footing down after a couple of steps and looked up from the stairs to find my group. Instead, my gaze homed in on Ben, looking perfect in his tailored tuxedo. He had combed his soft hair back, holding it in place by a bit of gel. His beard was neatly trimmed, and I couldn’t help but remember the way it brushed against my thighs. I swept his body, greedy to take in as much of him as possible.
My eyes lifted back to his face to see him doing the same to me, and his gaze felt like a phantom hand as it slid down my chest, over my hips, and down my long legs. I continued moving on autopilot, but my brain short-circuited from his eyes. They made it back up to my own, and I could see my hunger reflected in them. Our eyes remained locked for the last few steps. I stopped at the foot of the stairs, unable to break away.
He stepped forward, fierce intent written in every line of his tall frame. He stopped in front of me.
“You are breathtaking.” The quiet intensity of his words made my stomach clench.
“Isn’t she?”
Stephanie appeared out of nowhere, or perhaps I was too busy eye-screwing her ex-husband to realize. We jumped apart with guilty expressions. Even if we hadn’t done anything, we both wanted to.
“Breathtaking doesn’t cover it.” I jumped again when I realized James was also waiting in the lobby. He took my hand, kissing it in a gentlemanly fashion, before tucking my arm through the crook of his elbow.
Eduardo joined our little group, too, and the five of us stared awkwardly at each other.
“Well, let’s get going!” I forced a bright smile on my face and half dragged James out of the building.
The venue was beautiful, with large chandeliers and an art-deco design that made it easy to imagine the Kennedys celebrating here in their heyday. The event was large, an attempt to make a lot of donors feel special and remind them why they love Billings.
James led us to our table, offering to grab me a drink before everything got under way. I took advantage of the privacy to have a word with Eduardo.
“President Munchen told me she talked to you about the offer she made me.”
He smiled, but his eyes were sad. “Let’s not talk about it now. It’s a big conversation to have, and we should save it for once we’re back in Orlando. Enjoy tonight and don’t worry about me.”
He patted me on the shoulder before moving off to talk to someone from his school years. I was left alone, waiting for James to come back with my drink.
“You really do look beautiful.” I turned around to find Stephanie with her sickeningly sweet smile. “Your dress shows off how… curvaceous you are.”
The pause was just long enough to make it clear “curvaceous” was not a compliment.
“I couldn’t wear something like that with how petite I am. But it’s no surprise that professor of yours can’t stop watching you. I’m betting you are going to have some fun on this vacation.”
She acted like we were best friends, gossiping about boys and clothing, but I heard the words spoken beneath. Go focus on your professor and stay away from my husband. Mean girls were nothing new, and I had no interest in playing her game. I was a grown-ass woman, not some timid little girl on the playground she could bully. Careful not to draw stares, I stepped closer.
“You clearly know my history with Ben. But I told him I have no interest in getting between his family. This might surprise you, but I love your daughter and would never hurt her.”
I left the words “unlike you” unspoken, but she heard them just the same.
“I am not interested in trading hidden barbs and undermining each other. Our daughters are best friends, and I work with your ex-husband. So it’s your choice. We can be pleasant to one another or we can tolerate each other just enough to trade off kids for playdates. Either way, count me out for the mean-girl bullshit you’re trying to pull tonight, and maybe refocus your energy on winning back the trust and respect of the man you shit all over when you abandoned him and his daughter.”
I mirrored back her fake smile from earlier, spinning on my heel.
“You don’t need him,” she called out.
I turned back to her, finding a desperate glint in her eye even as she kept her chin high. I didn’t know exactly how she meant it. Maybe she felt lost and thought he was the way back to herself. Hell, maybe she really loved him. The part of me conditioned to be kind no matter what it cost me urged me to ask if she was okay. To find a way to make peace.
But her words repeated in my head.
You don’t need him.
Not them.
Whatever anger or self-loathing or insecurity fueled her decisions didn’t excuse the way she treated others. It didn’t make the way she’d forever damaged a little girl I loved okay. And it wasn’t my job to cure someone’s misery at the expense of my own happiness.
“And you haven’t earned them,” I said.
I left before she could respond, deciding to join James at the bar. I needed that drink sooner rather than later. This was going to be a long fucking night.