Page 45 of Dancing With Distraction

“Dmitry?” I ask, the word falling from my lips before I can stop it.

He gives a nod. “Have a great night, girls.” And he closes the door again.

My heart hammers in my chest as I pull out my mobile. I’m sure the guy’s got it wrong. Dmitry definitely told me he was out of town this weekend, and even if his plans had changed, how the hell did he pull off a party so quickly? I send off a text.

Me: When are you back in London? I miss you x

“Now what are we going to do?” asks Ashley, rubbing her arms against the cold.

I glance up and see the security man has disappeared from the door. I step closer, looking inside to see if I can spot Dmitry. If he is in there, maybe he’ll let us in.

I try the door, but it’s locked. A woman on the other side gives a wave, and I mouth the words, ‘Open the door’. She glances around before twisting the lock and pulling the door open. “Thanks,” I tell her, stepping inside. “We went out for fresh air and the guy disappeared on us,” I explain, giving a small laugh.

“We’re gonna get kicked out,” Ashley hisses as I grab her hand.

“Keep hold of Emily,” I tell her. “Let’s hide in the crowd so security don’t spot us.”

My phone vibrates and I glance at the text.

Distraction: Back tomorrow.

I frown. His response is short, but maybe he’s busy. I stuff my mobile back in my bag and stop a passing waitress carrying a tray of Champagne. “Is it a birthday party?” I ask, taking a glass. The girls follow my lead.

She shakes her head. “Erm, an engagement party, I think,” she says with a shrug.

My heart rate doubles. “Who’s the lucky couple?”

She points towards the area usually closed off for VIPs. “They’re over there. Honestly, you’d think they were royalty,” she says, rolling her eyes and wandering off.

The music suddenly turns down and I hear the clinking of a glass being tapped with a fork. The room quiets down and everyone turns towards the VIP area. “Hold this,” I whisper to Ashley, handing her my glass.

“Where are you going?” she hisses.

I don’t bother to reply. Instead, I push through the crowd towards the front.

“First of all,” I still at Dmitry’s voice, “we’d just like to thank you all for coming this evening. It was short notice, but my wonderful fiancée managed to pull it off.” He pauses for applause, and I continue forward with my heart in my throat and my stomach churning. Fiancée.

“My father would like to say a few words,” he continues, and the crowd claps again.

I push through to the front, just as an older-looking man stands and takes his place beside Dmitry. On the other side of him stands Vivian, encased lovingly in Dmitry’s strong arms. My heart is beating rapidly while twisting painfully in my chest. It consumes me as I try to steady my breathing.

I watch in horror as Dmitry’s father talks about how proud he is of his son and how the couple’s wedding will take place at the end of the month. The end of the fucking month!

This time, when the crowd claps, I join in, slamming my hands together extra hard and adding a holla. Dmitry’s eyes fall to me, and for a second, he looks confused, unable to place me here in this room full of rich bastards. I see the moment he registers it’s really me because he inhales sharply, which causes Vivian to glance at him in confusion. When her eyes fall to me, she sneers like her plan has finally come together.

“I’d like to say something,” she announces, and Dmitry’s father gives a nod. I should run, I know I should, because her words are going to cause me more pain. I see the evil glint in her eye, but I’m rooted to the spot, sensing Dmitry’s eyes burning into me despite me staring directly at his fiancée. “Dmitry made me the happiest woman in the world when he finally asked me to marry him. We’re so in love, all my girlfriends are sick with jealousy.” She laughs, and the crowd join her. “And I can’t wait to start my life with him and to set up our home, starting with children. He’s always keen to start that part, and apparently, he wants a football team.” More laughter fills the air, suffocating me. Sickness churns inside my stomach, and I roll my eyes before spinning on my heel and storming out.

The second I break out into the fresh evening air, I gasp, placing my hands on my knees and squeezing my eyes closed. I mustn’t cry . . . I mustn’t cry. I breathe in slowly through my nose and release it through my mouth, all the while trying to slow my racing heart.

The sound of rapturous applause inside spills out into the street as I sense him behind me. I straighten up and start to walk away. “Victoria, wait,” he calls.

“Fuck off, Dmitry,” I spit back over my shoulder. “Fuck you and fuck your fiancée.” I spin back to face him, realising he’s already right there. “Your fucking fiancée, Dmitry,” I scream. “You’re getting married!”

He holds out his hands in a placating manner. “I told you things were complicated,” he begins, and I scoff. The urge to punch him is strong, and I ball my hands into fists. “It doesn’t change things between us.”

My eyes wide in anger as I yell, “It changes everything!”

“There is nothing between me and Vivian,” he tells me.

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