Page 55 of Mastered by Them
I take the small paper and realize it’s a photograph. It’s the three of us at the Mirarosa boardwalk in that little photo booth. Our hands are all over each other, and it’s steamy as hell—but there’s also genuine affection in our expressions. The way Danica looks directly into Troy’s eyes just before a kiss has my heart tightening in my chest.
That isn’t just affection in her gaze—that’s love. Does she know it? Troy doesn’t, not yet.
I want her to look at me that way. But this moment isn’t the time for jealousy.
I hand the photo back. “Yeah, angel. I think it’ll help.”
When we get to the venue, a large banner proclaims the grand opening of Pinton Environmental Consulting Solutions: San Esteban.
“You think he’ll be here?” Danica hesitates at the bottom of the hotel steps.
“Pretty sure.” I lead her up, craning my neck to look for Troy. I’m also hoping to avoid Amber. I haven’t seen her since Troy left with her the first time, and I have no desire to see her again.
“Edmund.” Danica slows her steps. “What aren’t you telling me about this?”
“About what?”
“Don’t bullshit me. You look nervous.”
Fuck. Why do I have to show my emotions like this? “I don’t want to talk to his new boss.”
She frowns, but she doesn’t ask any follow-up questions. Which is good, because she won’t like the answers.
I see several people I know through my family. Some crooks, some politicians, some CEOs and other business folks, even a B-list celebrity who blinks vapidly like he isn’t sure why he ended up at this party.
I’m still scanning the room when Danica freezes in place.
“Hey, what is it?” I tug on her hand.
She doesn’t answer. I follow her gaze.
And there’s Troy. His arm is linked with Amber’s. I squint. I can’t be seeing this—he would never touch her, not in a million years.
Yet there he is. They look like a couple. He’s in a nice tux, she’s in a gold gown.
“He’s on a date?” Danica whispers. “He’s on a date?”
I wish I could soften this, but there’s no refuting what we see in front of us. “I don’t think it’s a real date.”
But how can it not be? We’re seeing it right in front of us. Amber laughs at something a man in front of them says, and Troy looks easy and unruffled. Like he was born to stand next to her. Like he wants to be there.
The lights flicker and Amber makes her way to the front of the room, her arm hooked in Troy’s. When she reaches the edge of the stage, she takes a step up, then turns around.
Faces Troy.
Kisses him.
18
Troy
The feeling of Amber’s lips on mine is the worst feeling in the world. I’d rather hack off my nuts with a machete than kiss her.
But I have to sell this, so I smile and wish her luck when she pulls away.
Her light brown eyes sparkle. “There really is hope for us, Troy. I knew it.”
She knows fucking nothing.
