Page 57 of Burning Your Lies

26

Xavier

Brynn’s smile reaches meacross the room. She and Ray sit in an awkward silence as they watch the charity gala play out in front of them. Brynn wears my mother around her neck with elegance. Of course, she doesn’t know it’s my mother. And when people paid compliments to her, she smiled with gratitude.

I also saw Savannah eye the piece. When I caught her staring, she lifted her shot glass in a cheers motion and poured it down the hatch. In fact, Savannah is drinking heavily tonight. As she got tipsy, I noted that I have never seen her drunk. And a drunk Savannah is obnoxiously loud and filled with laughter. She and Francesca have been stuck at the bar, ordering a fresh drink before the current one is finished.

I wonder what spat the lovers had before they arrived. Ray is quieter than usual. They aren’t glued to one another as they usually are.

Making the most of it, I stride towards them with a friendly smile. “Francesca.”

Her glossy eyes struggle to focus on me. “Xavier. How are you?”

“Very well. I trust Ray is treating you well.”

In her inebriated state, she snorts. “He’s always so grumpy.” She holds Savannah’s knee. “How do you deal with it?”

For some unbeknownst reason, that makes Savannah roar with laughter. “I suck his cock. That cheers him up.” She gasps. “When I was first his PA, Kingsley asked me out.”

Francesca slaps her thigh and cackles. “I remember that!”

“Hux wassomad, he made me crawl across the office to him.” She wipes under her eyes and she laughs so hard she can’t breathe. “I was so ready to fuck him that day, right there in the office.”

Her drinking buddy gasps and then sighs. “What happened?”

“Xavier walked in!” She talks about me, as if I’m not standing right there. “What a cock block. He was livid at seeing me on my knees. It’s okay though. A few months later, I was inhisoffice suckinghisdick.”

Her mouth drops open. “What? When?” she hisses.

I grab Savannah to get her to shut her mouth, but I’m pushed away without even a glance.

“After the board meeting. Remember when—”

“That’s enough story time,” I growl.

Her bloodshot eyes squint. “Xavier? It’s Xavier! Hi!” She’s laughing again.

Dealing with drunk Savannah is quite demanding. Emery was a subdued drunk. She went quiet and sad. Savannah is attracting too much attention to herself and with the way her mouth is running, she is going to confirm the affair to everyone present.

I pull her onto the dance floor and away from Francesca, who is still in a state of shock. I hold her close. “You’re drunk,” I mutter.

“No, I’m not.” Her serious face crumbles. “Okay. Maybe I’m a little drunk.” She follows my gaze to our respective partners, watching us. “I see she’s wearing the necklace.”

“Does that make you jealous?”Please say yes.

Her brown eyes study my face. “Do you remember the last time we were here? I was wearing a green dress very similar to this one. One of us was married. We danced to a live orchestra just like this one. Huxley was sitting with another woman. Not much has changed, huh?”

“I remember what happened after the dance was done.”

“Me too,” she whispers. “Am I stupid to think those were the simpler days? The hardest decision was whether I wanted you or him.”

“Who did you want?” I ask, almost afraid of the answer.

She stops swaying and holds her head. “I’m going to be sick. Xavier.” My name comes out muffled as she covers her mouth using her clutch bag.

Grabbing her hand, I pull her out of the hall and up the stairs to a private room. I hold her hair back as she dry heaves into the bin. “Anything?”

Savannah slumps onto the floor. “No,” she groans. “I need to lie down.” As she says that, she gets comfortable on the floor.

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