With my face unreadable, I look at Michael.
He reaches out and takes her hand. “We never did, Laura. I promise you, we never did. I wouldn’t do that to you.”
Stunned, I blink and my mouth falls briefly. He lied to her face, and to everyone. And he didn’t do it just for me. I can see it so clearly, that I was right. He loves her.
Taking the opportunity to turn the tides my way, I give my most winning smile to the crowd, feigning amusement. “Okay everyone. I hope you all enjoyed the show. Another will be coming in half an hour.” The crowd chuckles and people turn away. I lock eyes with a person who’s videoing. “If I see that on YouTube, I’ll hunt you down. And who turned off the music?”
Jack throws me a wickedly guilty smile and heads off to turn it back on! The big jerk, he was loving every minute of this.
Michael, taking the hand of his wife, turns to me. “I’m sorry, Nicole. Great reception.” His eyes land on Mark and the two men nod at each other, neither of them liking it. Laura looks like she wants to climb into a cave.
“Thank you. Now would you please take your wife home and make violent love to her for at least a week?” They both react. I shake my head. “It looks like she needs it.” I don’t wait for their reactions as I turn away.
Mark takes my outstretched hand and kisses it. He leans down and whispers in my ear, “Now you know it’s a party.”
I laugh as we walk. “All we need now is for someone to pass out drunk on the lawn.”
“And for blood to be shed. A fight, you’ve gotta have a fight. Oh, one of the investors just arrived. I want you to meet him.” He squeezes my hand, eyes lighting up with excitement.
“Oh, I almost forgot about them.” At his look, I add, “Sorry! So much has happened!”
He laughs. “Very true.”
“Well at least the worst is over.”