Page 68 of Perfect (mis)Match

“Okay,” I said slowly, eyeing her.

Piper gave me another smile and set off for the studio. I followed behind her, fighting the feeling that something was off with her.

She had every right to be tired. She’d been working her ass off on this campaign, and the day’s stresses couldn’t have been easy for her to handle. But it was fine—we’d get past it together. We were going to see this damn campaign through no matter how awkward it got. And then everything would be fine again.

20

PIPER

Everything had been leading up to this moment, and despite all of the drama getting here, it had all turned out perfect.

The rooftopEvermorelaunch party was packed with people who’d helped us get to this happy ending, like Jean and Joe Sullivan, as well as tons of fancy folks I’d seen on-screen and online. I was nervous and lightheaded because I had to pretend hanging out among them was no big deal. I glanced across the crowd and spied Darcy chatting with a make-up influencer we’d both followed for years. I could tell she was also trying to play it cool, and when she glanced over at me, we exchanged a wide-eyed look of disbelief at just how huge the night was.

Summit had spared no expense for the event. The outdoor rooftop space featured flower walls packed with pink and red roses and ranunculus, and the influencers were taking advantage of the picturesque backdrops. Of course, theEvermorelogo was visible no matter where they aimed their camera. We were going to getsomuch good press from the party.

“You look stunning tonight,” Vincent whispered in my ear. “I wish I could sneak you behind that flower wall and have my way with you.”

“Tempting,” I said. “But this dress is a beast to get on and off. Look at the lacing.”

I swiveled so he could see the thick satin ribbon threaded up my back. The corset dress I’d picked was a light purple confection that made me look like an ethereal fairy. I’d picked the color as a subtle reference to the star ingredient inEvermore, the flower that had kicked off my relationship with my bosshole-in-chief.

Vincent plucked at the tulle overlay on the skirt of my dress. “All I’d have to do is lift this up and…” he raised an eyebrow.

“Stop,” I laughed. “Look who’s coming.”

I nodded to the trio walking toward us who I recognized as major Summit shareholders. I’d done tons of prep work prior to the party since I knew everyone who mattered would show up. I wanted to be the perfect employee.

Vincent snapped to attention. “Grace, Robert, Clive, wonderful to see you.” He stepped to the side. “I’d like you to meet our creative director, Piper Doyle. She’s been invaluable in launchingEvermore.”

I shook each of their hands, trying to ignore the prickly sensation in my stomach.

Creative director. Yes, it was technically true, but there was more to me, to us. And we were at a party—why wouldn’t Vincent mention that we were also a couple?

I plastered on a smile. “Isn’t this a wonderful night?”

We made pleasant small talk while I tried not to spin out about what was actually going on with Vincent. I silently watched him talk shop with the VIPs and tried not to feel out of place. I kept turning his introduction over and over in my head. Maybe he was trying to make these people respect me—show that I was an important part of the team and not just his arm candy. But in spite of myself, I couldn’t help thinking back to all the times with Matthew when he’d avoided situations where anyone might think I was his girlfriend.

The way he always wanted to hang out at home instead of going out. The way he’d make excuses not to invite me along whenever he’d made plans with his friends or his family.

Vincent wasn’t like that. Vincent was, in fact, theoppositeof that, since he told his dad and his friends that we were a couple all the way back before it was even true. But remembering that didn’t make me feel better. It just drove home that our relationship had started with a bargain—one that had already been fulfilled. So for Vincent, who thought most relationships were doomed to fail, where did that leave us? Now that we’d both gotten what we’d asked for, what was left to tie us together other than uswantingto?

And how sure was I that was still what he wanted?

“Piper?”

I snapped back to attention. “I’m sorry, what was that?”

Vincent was studying me with his brows drawn. “Grace just asked if you and Maya plan to work together again, since the campaign turned out so great.”

I swallowed a sickly feeling. “Thank you for the compliment. Maya was such an asset on this campaign, and Summit truly appreciates what she brought to the launch.”

I’d seen her floating around the party and so far had managed to avoid coming face-to-face with her.

We continued chatting while I subtly scanned the crowd. Vincent had mentioned that Mercedes was coming, and I wanted to score some time with her and Darcy. She’d been communicating with Darcy about numbers, but we hadn’t had a chance for the three of us to get together. The party was the perfect low-pressure scenario to take things to the next level.

The power players finally drifted away, leaving us alone again.

“Are you okay tonight?” Vincent asked. “You seem quiet.”

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