Page 73 of The Player + The Pact = I Do

“Leo, my friend. The man of the moment. How are you doing?” His eyes flit between me and Jules. I smile as I see him work out whether or not we’re together.

“Great to see you, Jonathan. Have you met my fiancée, Jules Moore?”

“Your fiancée?” he asks. “You usually come stag to these kinds of events. No, I’ve not had the pleasure.”

“I couldn’t miss a night like this,” Jules says without missing a beat. “I don’t usually tag along to work events, but I made an exception for the Developer of the Decade.” She’s smooth and charming and everything I’m not feeling right now.

Just as I’m about to make an excuse and head to the bathroom, Worth appears. “Hey, guys. Jules.” He pulls her in for a hug, completing the picture that Jules is part of my inner circle.

As I chat to Worth about who from our group has arrived, which is easily cleared up because I’ve seen no one, Jonathan continues to talk to Jules. It’s only fleeting, but for a second, I wonder if they’ve met before. I know that finding out Nadia wasn’t who she said she was did a number on me, but I wish I could put those fears behind me. Everything I want to put in the past is right here in this room tonight.

“Have you seen her?” Worth asks, his tone hushed.

I shake my head. “I haven’t looked.”

“I checked the table plan. You’re at the table at the front and she’s two tables over.”

I nod, grateful that Worth’s thought to look. Forewarned is forearmed.

A couple of people from my team arrive. As I greet them, I check for Jules out of the corner of my eye. I don’t see her, and so I scan the crowd.

Someone slips a hand into mine. “Hey.” Jules is beside me. “Sorry. Jonathan sure can talk.”

“Is that Jonathan Klein fromProperty International?” Franchesa, from my team, says. “He could actually represent the US in the talking Olympics. I’ve never met a man with more words.”

Bennett arrives with Efa, and I glance at Jules. Is she pleased? Does she like Efa? I do, but she’s my mate’s girlfriend—as long as she’s good to him, I’m happy. Has Jules made a friend in Efa? Why am I even thinking about this?Because you’re living in the future instead of staying in the present, a voice inside chides. Is there a future where a friendship between Efa and Jules matters to me? Do I want there to be?

Bennett comes over and we hug.

“Thanks for coming,” I say.

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

People start moving toward the ballroom and I brace myself. If Caroline and I are sitting near each other, we’re likely to bump into each other sooner rather than later.

Jules squeezes my hand. “Do you know what table we’re at?” she asks.

“Four. We’re at the front.”

We enter the ballroom and Jules glances around. I’ve been here countless times before, but fresh eyes give it new perspective. It’s very classic, old money New York. Crystal chandeliers, Grecian columns, gold leaf detail on the plasterwork. It’s so different from the developments I bring to the market. But this version of New York, built on generations of inherited wealth, is fading away.

“I bet these guys don’t have a problem booking weddings,” she says, and I smile at her understatement.

“Yeah, I don’t think the Plaza is too worried about their events calendar.”

“Maybe I’ll come and manage this place,” she says, grinning. I don’t bite, offering only an eye roll in response. I see our table and nod toward it. “There we are.”

Just as we get to our seats, I see some movement out of the corner of my eye. I don’t sit immediately. Instead, I slide my arm around Jules’ waist and brace.

I turn slightly and see Caroline’s father, Frank, coming toward me. “Leo!” he calls, lumbering toward us at speed. I hold out my free hand to shake his as he gets to us. “The man of the moment!”

“Have you met my fiancée?” I ask him. “Jules Moore.”

“Delighted,” he says, shaking Jules’ hand. “I have to introduce you to my son-in-law and daughter.” He turns and cranes his neck, beckoning someone over.

“At least we can get this bit over with before the food and your award,” Jules says beside me.

I chuckle. “That’s one way of looking at it.”

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