Page 94 of Made for Reign

"Of course," I say. "We're a team."

His smile this time is genuine, pleased. "Exactly."

The Worthington Arena's event center is already buzzing with activity when we arrive. The reception space has been transformed into something elegant and modern, all clean lines and strategic lighting. Servers move through the crowd carryingtrays of champagne and canapés, and I can hear the gentle hum of conversation and laughter that indicates a successful social gathering.

Gio's hand finds the small of my back as we enter, steering me toward a cluster of well-dressed people near the bar. I recognize a few faces from previous arena events, but most are new. The investors, I assume.

"Giovanni!" A man with silver hair and an expensive suit breaks away from his conversation to approach us. "Good to see you."

"Edward, thank you for coming." Gio shakes the man's hand firmly. "I'd like you to meet my fiancée, Audrey Worthington. Audrey, this is Edward Chen."

I extend my hand with a warm smile. "Mr. Chen, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine, Miss Worthington." His handshake is firm, his eyes assessing but kind. "I've heard wonderful things about your family's involvement in the community."

"Thank you. We believe in supporting the businesses and people that make Cooper Heights special." The words flow easily, years of social training taking over. "The arena is exactly the kind of innovative venue our community needs."

Edward nods approvingly, and I can see Gio's satisfaction in my peripheral vision. This is what he needs from me—the perfect complement to his business ambitions, the society wife who says all the right things to all the right people.

For the next hour, I play the role flawlessly. I smile at the right moments, ask thoughtful questions, laugh at jokes that aren't particularly funny. I let Gio guide me from group to group, his hand never leaving my back, his introductions always emphasizing our relationship, our partnership, our shared vision for the future.

I'm in the middle of a conversation with Rachel Morrison about the tech industry's impact on traditional businesses when I see a familiar face approaching from across the room.

Tiffany Breslin. Former Cooper Heights majorette captain, current real estate agent, and one of the most persistent women I've ever met when it comes to staying in touch with old teammates.

My stomach drops.

"Audrey!" Tiffany calls out, her voice carrying across the space between us. "Oh my God, I thought that was you!"

I excuse myself from the conversation with Rachel, hoping my smile doesn't look as forced as it feels. "Tiffany, hi. What a surprise to see you here."

"I'm working with one of the investors on some property deals," she says, gesturing vaguely toward the crowd. "But never mind that—I can't believe I'm running into you! I've been meaning to call."

Gio appears at my side, his businessman's smile firmly in place. "Gio Vega," he says, extending his hand to Tiffany. "Audrey's fiancé."

"Tiffany Breslin. Audrey and I were majorettes together back in high school." She shakes his hand enthusiastically before turning back to me. "Speaking of which, I can't believe you missed the reunion weekend! We were all so disappointed."

My blood turns to ice. The reunion weekend. The majorette reunion I supposedly went to but actually spent with Reign at his cabin, learning what it felt like to be truly alive for the first time in my life.

"The reunion weekend?" I repeat, buying myself time to think.

"At Fit Mountain Resort, remember? You signed up and everything, and then you just never showed." Tiffany's expression is genuinely confused, maybe a little hurt. "We keptlooking for you on Saturday, and when you didn't come to the dinner or the lake activities on Sunday, Sarah tried calling you."

The walls feel like they're closing in. I can feel Gio's attention sharpening beside me, his businesslike demeanor shifting into something more focused, more dangerous.

"Oh, that weekend," I say, forcing a laugh that sounds hollow even to my own ears. "I'm so sorry, Tiffany. I had a family emergency come up at the last minute. My grandmother in Florida wasn't feeling well, and Lucille insisted I fly down to check on her."

"Your grandmother?" Tiffany's frown deepens. "But I thought your grandmother passed away years ago. Didn't you miss homecoming senior year for her funeral?"

Heat floods my face. She's right. My paternal grandmother died when I was seventeen, and everyone at school knew because I'd missed the homecoming dance.

"My other grandmother," I say quickly. "My step-grandmother, actually. Lucille's mother. She lives in a retirement community in Sarasota, and she had a fall."

The lie tastes bitter in my mouth, but it's all I can think of. Tiffany's expression clears slightly, though she still looks puzzled.

"Oh, I see. Well, I hope she's okay now."

"She's much better, thank you. The doctors said it was just a minor fracture, but you know how Lucille worries." I'm talking too fast, overexplaining, but I can't seem to stop. "I felt terrible about missing the reunion, especially after signing up. I kept meaning to call and explain, but things have been so busy with the wedding planning and everything."

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