Page 61 of Without Regret

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

Emma

“Really? That would be awesome. We’ll have so much fun.” Avery appeared excited that I might join them.

She seemed to be the only one. Adrienne was frowning, and Trevor looked annoyed.

I honestly didn’t want to go club hopping, but if it got me out of this party early and gave me an excuse not to talk with Trevor, I’d dive into anything. Including an evening with Avery and Ms. Barbie. Adrienne was the epitome of a debutante. Diamonds as big as some women’s engagement rings sparkled on her ears while everything she wore screamed expensive. She was the type of girl Trevor probably went to university with, someone who frequented parties like this and who could charm the father of any of her boyfriends.

I thought perhaps I could ditch the party, go with the girls, and then bag once we reached the club, effectively getting me out of everything. Most especially, I wanted to avoid talking with Trevor. Not that I hadn’t missed him this week, too. But that was part of the problem. Because him missing me. Me missing him. It wasn’t part of the plan. Feelings were getting in the way of my judgment, and it was time I took control of them.

The only problem was this was all well and good in my head, but the practical application was failing. I couldn’t get rid of the feeling I wanted to pry Adrienne’s hands from Trevor’s forearm.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m in need of a drink. Um, Avery, I’ll let you know for sure later about the club.” Although Simon was leaving straight for the airport, perhaps he could carve out ten minutes to swing by our hotel, so I could hitch a ride with him and manage to get out of absolutely everything. I could also simply call up an Uber.

I made a beeline to the bar where I ordered a vodka tonic. Trevor’s family home was massive and lovely, I noticed, walking with my drink in hand from room to room. I caught Simon’s eye, but noticed he busy in conversation. Going out to the back patio, I let my gaze go straight past the pool to the pool house. Memories flooded over me from Monday night.

“Are you seriously going out to the club tonight?” Trevor inquired, appearing from nowhere. The huskiness in his tone made my body shiver.

I turned to see him, fully appreciating how very handsome he was in his suit. What was underneath, however, could really turn me on. “I’m not sure yet.”

“Either you’re hoping to avoid me by a night out with my sister, or you’re trying to tell me something.”

I was confused. “Tell you what?”

“That you’re going out to look for something or someone else.”

I fought my temper. “I said we were exclusive, didn’t I?”

“For all I know, you refusing to talk to me is because you’ve broken things off.”

“For all I know, you would rather go out with what’s-her-face tonight.”

He smiled, taking a sip of his beer. “For someone who keeps saying this is casual, your jealousy shows a different side.”

“Yes, well, for someone who agreed to be exclusive, you are certainly jumping to conclusions about me wanting to go to the club.”

“Touché, sugar. But I don’t enjoy this unsettled feeling between us. That’s why I hoped to talk.”

I was about to tell him I couldn’t do this here. Not at his family’s house with his father mingling and his sister somewhere around. But I was interrupted when his father came up—with Tom, of all people. I knew the arse would be here, but to see him with Trevor’s father made my stomach turn. God only knew what sort of lies he’d be spreading. The man seemed to thrive on poisoning the waters, and I was often his target.

“Ah, there my son is. Preoccupied with your lovely presence, my dear. What was your name again?” He was looking at me.

I’m nobody. The insecurity sprung up, but I managed to speak. “I’m Emma Brown.”

“Ah, from London as well. What is it you do for the Stone Group?”

I was about to respond that I helped coordinate the deals for Simon, but Tom, in true twat fashion, spoke up first.

“Emma is just our assistant. Coffee fetching, filing, and the occasional trip to plan.”

Before I could even decide if I’d bother to respond to his snipe, Trevor fired back. “Simon would tell you the same thing I will. Emma is the glue that holds the team together, coordinating everything from the audits to the real estate necessary for these purchases. She also performs a great deal of due diligence and keeps us all organized.”

I was officially stunned speechless. Only Simon had ever stuck up for me as being more than his secretary.

But then Mr. Newhall went on to shock me further, turning towards Tom. “You know, Tom, my assistant, Pearl, has been with me over thirty years. I credit her with a great deal of my success because she keeps me organized and truly understands my company. Anyone who doesn’t respect her role answers to me. You’d do best to remember a person’s title has no bearing on their value.”

I had the absolute pleasure of watching Tom turn bright fucking red. Misogynist wanker. “Of—of course,” he stuttered.

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