Page 60 of Saving Stella

Cliff knocked back the rest of his whisky. “I don’t think so, Jim. Stella?”

She stopped chatting with the blonde on her left. “Yes?”

“I think I’m ready to head out.”

“Sure.” She glanced back at her coworkers. “Sorry, guys, I gotta go.”

“Aww, come on!” the blonde said. “Just one more drink!”

“I’m really tired, guys.” She shook her drink, the remaining ice tinkling against the glass. “But I do want to finish this one at least.”

“Of course. I need to go to the men’s room anyway.”

“I’ll be done by the time you get back.”

“Great.” He squeezed her shoulders. “I won’t be too long.”

Cliff made his way down from the balcony, then headed toward the men’s room. He quickly finished his business and made a beeline for the staircase, but before he could go through the ropes, a hand landed on his arm.

“Cliff?”

He whirled around at the sound of the familiar feminine voice.

Fuck.

The world spun under his feet, and he grabbed at the railing.

His inner wolf, recognizing who she was, let out a warning bark.

Madelyn flashed him a smile. “I thought it was you. How have you been?”

Throat suddenly dry, he could barely speak. “What are you doing here?”

“Me?” She chuckled, her hand clutching at her chest, which was nearly spilling out of the neckline of her tight sparkly silver dress. “I should be asking you that, shouldn’t I?”

“I should get back?—”

“Wait! Don’t go.”

Fury began to bubble in him. “I have nothing to say to you.”

She twirled a lock of hair with her finger. “So, I guess you’re still mad about what happened?”

“Mad?” That word didn’t even begin to cover how he felt. She ruined his life.

“I guess I’d be angry too.” She put on that pout he had been so familiar with—the one she used to get what she wanted. “But you just left that night without a word!” She stomped one platformed heel. “You blocked my phone and all my socials. Why, you didn’t even pay for the hotel bill. I should be mad at you too.”

“Whatever, Madelyn. I’m leaving.”

“Please!” Sidling closer to him, she gripped at his biceps, her fingers digging into him. “I’m so sorry. I haven’t forgotten about you all these years. Do you ever think about me?”

“Never.” Was she insane?

“I don’t believe that.” Her eyes blazed with anger—but also something else Cliff recognized right away. The look of desperation.

And he had an inkling why, because even though he vowed to never even think about Las Vegas and what happened that night, he couldn’t help but hear some rumors and speculations over the last few years. “What’s wrong, Madelyn? Is Bonetti not giving you everything you need? Still hasn’t left his wife, has he?”

Her mouth twisted. “Joe and I have an understanding.”

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