Page 92 of Single Mom's Christmas Wish

“I’ll be right back with your champagne, Mr. Faulkner,” the waiter says as soon as I take my seat. “We’re serving a particularly fine vintage tonight.”

“Thank you,” I tell him as I scan the room.

I see plenty of New York’s elite ready to show off how much disposable income they have.

I spot Callie giggling in the eastern corner with the district attorney’s preppy son. He seems to be head over heels for her, and she looks ravishing in a red Armani dress, but all I feel is rage at the sight of her. Rage will not serve me well tonight, though, so I wait for my champagne before I approach her.

Two glasses later, I’m up and moving around, shaking hands and briefly diving into various conversations across the dining hall. I am able to blend in and out of each group with ease. I’m still pissed at how Callie played me at the wedding, and I am dying to repay the favor.

“So, now that your grandmother is gone, will there be any objections to the two of us getting engaged?” I hear the DA’s son ask Callie.

She smiles seductively and slowly leans into him. “No, babe. I’m all yours, technically speaking.” She pauses and rolls her eyes. “The family lawyer will bitch and moan about a prenup since I’m coming into my inheritance, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

“You know I have no issue there. My trust fund is twice that,” the guy says with a confident grin. Silver-spoon-fed little twerp. I guess Callie is grooming him for his money, just in case. Her grandmother taught her well, but she is still a greedy shrew, which makes what I’m about to do all the more pleasurable.

Like a dashing bastard, I slide in between them and immediately wrap an arm around Callie’s shoulders. “Here you are, babe,” I say, smiling and visibly enamored. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

“Excuse me, who the hell are you?” The DA’s son is instantly inflamed.

Callie, on the other hand, is frozen and speechless, unable to look away from me. She can tell precisely how much shit has just hit the fan, and she knows she can’t duck. It’s about to get all over her as I continue to play my part.

“Who the hell am I?” I gasp. “Who the hell are you?”

“Kyle Langford.”

“And that’s supposed to mean something to me?”

“Reed,” Callie tries to stop me, but I give her shoulder a tight enough squeeze to make her wince and swallow her words.

Kyle takes a step forward, but I’m taller, bigger, meaner, and nowhere near easily intimidated. “I’m Callie’s fiancé,” he says, straightening his back to make himself look at least a little bit taller.

“Huh. Now, I don’t know how that’s even possible since Callie and I have been engaged for what, two months? Isn’t that right, baby?” I look down at her then plant a kiss on her cheek. It makes me want to puke, but she played me like a fucking fiddle,so I will absolutely pluck her strings, one note at a time. “Gosh, it’s funny how time flies when you’re in love.” I pause and gasp, giving Kyle a surprised grin. “Oh, shit. Kyle Langford. Now I remember the name. Callie mentioned you. The DA’s boy. The stooge.”

“The what now?” He sounds confused. Insulted, even. I can’t blame him.

“Reed, stop it,” Callie tries again.

I laugh and kiss her cheek once more. “Don’t be silly, honey. You are getting your grandma’s money, after all. There is no point in stringing this poor sucker along anymore.”

“Who the fuck are you?” Kyle asks, glowering at me.

“Reed Faulkner. One-third of Faulkner Enterprises. And Callie’s fiancé,” I reply with a dry smile. “I met Callie when she was still working you over, thinking she wasn’t going to get her eighty million. Her sister was in line for that, but Callie made sure that didn’t happen. Didn’t you, babe? You devious little thing, you.”

Kyle is getting more and more confused. “Callie, what’s going on here?”

“Excuse us for just a minute, Kyle,” she says, then tries to pull me away from him.

“Oh, she didn’t tell you?” I chuckle, speaking loudly enough for others to hear. “I was supposed to marry her sister, but then Callie drugged me and rode me like a mare in heat right on our wedding day. We’ve been in love ever since.”

“Callie!” Kyle gasps.

I hear murmurs rising all around us. Callie’s cheeks are turning redder than her hair, redder than her dress, as she gives me a desperate look. “Please, stop,” she mumbles.

“But it’s the truth. You spread your legs for eighty million bucks. It’s why I fell in love with you.” I smile at Kyle once more. “If I overheard you correctly, you were just telling Callie that your trust fund is twice as much. Take it as a compliment. She was ready to bone you, too, for it.”

“Reed, I beg you,” Callie tries again.

Kyle shakes his head in dismay, having nothing but contempt for her. “I don’t know what to say.”

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