Page 37 of Falling For My Best Friend's Brother

“From me?” she cut in; her tone sharp. “You’re welcome, by the way, for giving you the in you were practically begging for. Dean wouldn’t have given you a second look if I hadn’t put in a word.”

I stared at her, anger bubbling just beneath the surface. “I don’t want you fighting my battles for me, Nina. I’ve worked for this project. I didn’t ask you to fucking hand it to me.”

Her jaw tightened, and she took a step closer, fire in her eyes. “This is unbelievable. A simple ‘thank you’ would have sufficed. But no, you’re Knox Coleman. God forbid you need anyone’s help.” She leaned in, eyes flashing. “Let me make this clear: I gave you a chance, but that pitch? That was all on you. Don’t make this about me.”

My fingers itched to grab her. I could feel my patience weaning. Why was she being so difficult? “I don’t want to be some guy who needs strings pulled to get what he wants. I’m not interested in shortcuts like you.”

Nina huffed out a breath, as if what I’d just said was the most ridiculous thing she’d ever heard. “I have no idea why I even try. You’re so full of shit.”

I was just about to respond to that when a familiar voice cut in, “Well, isn’t this a cozy little spat.”

Swinging my head, my blood ran cold as I came face-to-face with my ex-girlfriend, my original date for this event who’d canceled on me, Claire Donovan. Clad in a strapless, royal blue evening dress that hugged her body so tightly, it might as well have been a second skin. She looked beautiful as always, if a bit showy.

Her lips curved in a smirk, her eyes flicking between Nina and me. There was something sharp in her gaze, but also a flash of jealousy she couldn’t quite hide. She lingered a little too long on me, giving Nina an up-and-down that practically oozed disdain. No surprises there.

“Claire,” I said tightly, fighting to keep my voice neutral. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Of course not,” she said with a mockingly sweet smile. “Especially not on the arm of Oliver Neilson.” She glanced over her shoulder, where the CEO of Nexus Communications, the other agency Cornerstone Corp had reached out to was mingling, already surrounded by a small crowd. “He insisted, you know. How could I refuse?”

The jab hit exactly where she intended. Nina’s eyebrows shot up, her eyes flicking to me as if piecing together the backstory in real-time.

“I’m sure he did,” I replied, careful to keep my tone even. It would not do to let Claire know her words affected me. This was what she lived for, drawing reactions out of me.

I felt my jaw clench. “Sounds like you two make a great match.”

Claire’s smile didn’t waver, but her eyes flashed with annoyance. “Oh, I think you know we do.” She leaned in. Beneath the casual exterior she was trying to put up was a pathetic plea for attention. “It’s just funny, Knox. I thought you’d at least call me. Try to change my mind about standing you up after asking me to be your datemonthsafter you fucking broke up with me. But here you are, moving on without a second thought.”

Before I could respond, she shifted her gaze to Nina, eyes narrowing with thinly veiled envy. “So, I take it you’re the last-minute replacement?” Her tone dripped with fake sweetness. “Knox does have a habit of settling for what’s available.”

Nina’s eyes flicked to me, as if gauging the full context, but she didn’t back down. Instead, she stepped forward, her voice smooth and cutting.

“No, I think you’re misunderstanding. Knox actually has standards,” she said, offering a smile that barely concealed the bite in her words.

Claire’s smirk faltered then, and I caught a flash of raw jealousy before she turned her attention back to me, her voice softening. “Well, good luck, Knox. I’m sure she’s… very nice.”

She wanted me to say something, anything, to let her know that she still mattered; I could see it in her eyes. But I had nothing to say. Claire had always been vindictive. Her coming here tonight on the arm of a known rival might have been to spite me, but it already set everything in stone. Not only did it hurt like she intended it to, but the embarrassment she caused was notsomething I could forgive. I had nothing to say or give to her anymore.

“Enjoy the party, Claire.”

The muscles in her jaw tightened, and a flash of frustration crossed her face. But she quickly recovered, giving a dismissive wave as she turned back toward Oliver, throwing one last sharp look at Nina.

We both watched her strut away, the atmosphere impossibly thick. I tugged at my tie, gnashing my teeth. The events of tonight had taken a toll on me. First Dean, now Claire. I hated being blindsided and, in both instances, I’d come out the fool.

Beside me, Nina expelled a deep breath. “Real classy ex-girlfriend?”

“Something like that.”

“Looks like she still wants you.”

“We all want something. Doesn’t mean we’re going to get it.”

Nina was silent for a few moments. The soft music playing from the orchestra mixed with the soft conversation drifting around the room were the only sounds that floated between us.

“I’m tired,” she finally said. “I think I’ve had enough human interaction for tonight. Take me home?”

I glanced at her. She had a point—the night had been a lot to handle. I could use some time away from it all myself. My work here was done, and if I had to run into another blast from the past, I would really lose my shit.

I extended my arm to her, a genuine smile finally breaking through. “Let’s go home.”

---