Chapter 11 #3
As if pulled by a magnet, he walks across the ballroom, weaving between people, directly focused on her.
When he reaches her, there is a moment of stillness, and then they fall into an embrace.
Not the stiff, air-kiss sort of hug you give a networking contact, but something that’s somewhere between a reunion and a reckoning.
Her arms drape around his neck, and she leans in to say something in his ear.
He doesn’t smile, but he also doesn’t move away. I feel something twist in my stomach.
Who the hell is that?
There’s a hot, prickly shame that comes with being the person left standing alone at a party, even if you’re technically nobody’s date.
The current conversation in the room has shifted entirely; everyone is craning their necks, trying to get a read on the pair.
She must be someone of importance, not only to Aaron but to everyone in this room for the most part.
“That’s Vanessa Moreau,” says a voice beside me. I turn to find Grayson, watching the scene with a frown. “Fashion designer, philanthropist, and Aaron’s ex-fiancée.”
“Ex-fiancée?” Who would have thought she would’ve shown up right after he told me about her in the car? As always, the odds are in my favor.
“Yeah.” He scoffs. “They were together for years, most of their twenties.” Grayson’s eyes never leave from where Vanessa and Aaron are standing—it must’ve been one hell of a breakup.
The two are deep in conversation, heads bent in the way of old secrets and a history that can’t be faked or outgrown.
I downed the rest of my champagne. “How long ago did they…”
“Four years,” Grayson says. “But it was ugly. No one really talks about it. They haven’t been in the same room since.
Well, until now, I guess.” The way he says ‘ugly’ makes me wonder what kind of carnage two beautiful people could inflict on each other.
I want to ask, but I remember I have no right to any of this.
I’m the interloper, the plus-one, the footnote to a reunion.
“Nessa must be having a change of heart now. Probably wants to get back into his good graces, but I’ll never let that happen. ”
I observe the two from across the room. Her hands move lively and free in the space between them.
He leans in slightly, his attention completely on her.
My chest feels suddenly tight. I know I shouldn’t care, especially after enduring an ex who hoarded mistresses like collectibles.
Still, I find myself gripping my glass too tightly, recalling how Aaron looked at me in that tiny dorm room twelve years ago.
Before Vanessa, before bestsellers, before tonight.
Grayson clears his throat, and I realize I’ve been silent too long. “You okay?”
“I’m great,” I lie, pasting on my most courtroom-appropriate smile. “Just taking this all in.”
“You wanna get some air?” He gestures toward an ornate balcony crowded with smokers and people pretending to be on important phone calls. The offer tugs at me, but as my chest tightens and my blood simmers, I just want to be alone.
“I might check out the art displays,” I tell him without waiting for a reply.
I weave through the crowd, sidestepping conversations and avoiding waiters with trays of hors d’oeuvres.
Eventually, I find a quieter spot with illuminated cases showing original comic book art.
I lean in, pretending to look at a vivid battle scene, but my mind is racing.
Why am I even bothered? If anything, this might be a good chance to leave unnoticed.
I didn’t even want to be here in the first place.
“That’s from my first issue,” a voice says behind me, and I turn to find Axel studying me with curious eyes. “You okay? You look like you’re contemplating murder. Not sure if you want to murder my brother or…”
“Just admiring the artistry.” I gesture to the display. Doesn’t seem like I can escape the Singleton brothers tonight. “The detail is incredible.”
“Thanks.” He follows my gaze to the illustration. “This was the scene that changed everything for the character. The moment she realized her powers weren’t a curse, but a strength.”
“What happened to her?” I didn’t do a deep dive into all his characters, and now I feel like crap that I didn’t. I hope he is not offended by my limited knowledge.
“She learned to stop running from who she was,” Axel states, his tone suggesting he’s talking about more than just his character. “Scary as hell but ultimately freeing.”
“Well, congratulations on everything tonight.” I smile at him. “Your brother is so proud of you.”
“Are you and Aaron a thing now? It’s been a long time coming.”
“Oh gosh, no. I’m just an attorney he is shadowing.” I force a smile on my face.
“I want you to know that Aaron didn’t plan on you being the attorney he shadowed, I’m sure he didn’t even know you worked there. He went on Google and saw that your law firm was the best in the city. So, what I’m trying to say is that he is genuinely at your firm to shadow you.”
“If that is the case, why am I here?”
He shrugs, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “I don’t know, why are you? You could have turned him down. After all, there truly is no need for you to be here as an attorney, but on the other hand, as his dat—”
“This is not a date, and he knows that.”
“I let a lot slide during those two months you two were seeing each other, but after witnessing how much he struggled when you ghosted him, I need to be honest. If you’re not planning to give my brother a real chance, just say so.
Don’t leave him hanging or give him false hope.
Aaron clings to the smallest sign that things might work out, so if you’re not serious, please don’t make him believe otherwise.
He’s tough in a lot of ways, but his heart can’t handle so much uncertainty. ” He pushes his glasses up his nose.
“I get it. You care about your brother, as you should. But honestly, I think you lecturing me about your—”
“Let’s be clear, that wasn’t a lecture. I just want you to understand where I’m coming from and to be fair to Aaron, one way or the other. I’m sure you understand that at our age, stringing people along is childish hell.”
“And I’m sure you understand I’m a grown woman and he is a grown man. However, stringing your brother along is the last thing on my mind.” I smile. “But I understand, and I think you should have this conversation with your brother. We both know he is very persistent.”
“I’ve already had a one-off with him. No worries.”
I’m over this conversation.
“You know my best friend, Demetria, did the floral wall for your party.” Time to move this conversation to safer grounds. The last thing either of us wants is a pissing match at his event.
“She did?” Axel’s face brightens, turning to look at the magnificent floral display.
“It’s incredible work. She did amazing. I’m happy my event planner found her.
That floral piece is really a focal point tonight.
” His gaze flicks behind me. I know without turning that Aaron is approaching, the way you sense a weather front or a train through the rails before it arrives. Yeah.
“If you’ll excuse me.” I don’t wait for Axel’s response—barely managing a polite smile before slipping into the stream of party guests in the main corridor.
I don’t want to see him, and I don’t want him to see me. How quickly he’d forgotten my existence burns hotter than a summer morning in Arizona. I may find the man infuriatingly handsome, but I’ve built a career ensuring no one makes me feel invisible, and I won’t start now.