Page 82 of Playing A Risk
“No. I kissed him to thank him for the trip and went to bed. He said we had to pack and be ready to leave today. I wanted to get everything together.”
“I thought you would’ve done more while we were at Jonah’s.” She moves the chilled champagne closer to us. “I forgot to tell you who I ran into last night.”
My stomach knots. She can only mean Jami because she was at Patrick Efron’s for Christmas dinner, Jonah’s house, and Hunter’s apartment. She didn’t go anywhere else.
“I’m sure I already know.” I raise my head and release a breath. “Did you talk to him?”
“Barely. But I got to meet Lauren. That was fun.” Mel rolls her eyes.
I wasn’t expecting that. Another blade of pain unexpectedly slashes across my heart. “He was with them?”
“Her yes, but not his son. They were getting back from Christmas dinner at a friend’s house, so maybe they had someone watch him for the day.”
My heart squeezes and my stomach bottoms out.
His son.
Good God, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that.
“Sounds like they had a babysitter.” I brace myself for my next question. “I shouldn’t ask, but how were they together?”
“You sure you want to know?” She takes a sip of her champagne.
“I do. If nothing else, it’ll help me see how he handles her in public.”
“Okay, but I’m only the messenger.” She pours me some more champagne. “When I walked up to the elevator area, he had her in his arms and kissed her on the top of her head.
“When he saw Jonah and me, he stepped away from her and introduced us. Don’t worry, though. I made sure he knew you spent the day with us.”
My chest hollows out. The last tiny sliver of hope I was secretly holding on to for a beautiful resolution with Jami gets hacked away.
Even if holding her was a friendly gesture, it’s clear they have a bond. I’m not sure I would be okay with that kind of affection toward her if we were together.
He held her the night I found out about her and again last night. Maybe they’re broken up parents with benefits. It’s none of my business anymore, so I brush it off.
“Well, at least he wasn’t alone.” I sip my champagne and change the subject.
We spend the next four hours of our ten-hour flight enjoying the benefits of massages, then having a lobster and steak dinner while hanging out with Hunter and Jonah after they wrapped up their business. The final six hours we sleep.
It should be one of the best nights of my life, but a part of my heart was carved out of me today when I realized that Jami and I can never be. Now, nothing but an empty, bloody hole remains. Eventually, that will heal.
As I fall asleep, a tear rolls across my cheek. I say goodbye to anything I wanted with Jami.
I deny I still love him, rip my feelings from my soul, andput them in a casket. I bury them far beneath the surface, taking a shovel and throwing dirt on the wooden box where a future with Jamison rests peacefully.
Paris has been magical. We’ve spent the last three and a half days trying to fit in all the great shopping at places like Tiffany’s and Louis Vuitton and tourist attractions like The Louvre and Moulin Rouge. Watching Melanie experience it has allowed my broken heart to heal that much more.
Hunter has a lot to do with that. He and I are sharing a suite at the Four Seasons Paris, and Jonah and Melanie are in their own.
Our suite has two bedrooms, so there has been nothing other than kissing going on. He’s been respectful and makes me lead the way between us. It’s been both frustrating and appreciated.
Melanie steps into the black-tie event, wearing a metallic silver party dress Jonah bought her. “New Year’s Eve in Paris. I never would’ve thought I’d be doing this.”
I’m in a black form-fitted dress that Hunter got me and they’re wearing tuxedos. They took us to Dior and Chanel and spent a small fortune spoiling us rotten. I can only hope Jonah’s doing it because he likes her and not because of some weird agreement Hunter and he made.
I scan the ballroom as Melanie and I wait for Hunter and Jonah to check our coats and get us a drink. “If you would’ve asked me what the chances were we’d be here tonight, I would’ve said zero.”
I’m enjoying the band, which plays jazz and Frank Sinatra-type covers. Melanie gazes around our surroundings with her lips pursed, rocking from side to side.
