Page 70 of You, Me, & Après-Ski
No, she’s just messing with me, like when we ran into her in town.
Except her suspicions had been correct then, and they were more than correct now.
Shit.
I made quick work of fixing my makeup and hair—god, I really did look like I’d gotten into a wrestling match with a tornado—then hurried to the ballroom. No need to hide and give Erica any extra ammo.
As I took my seat, I made meaningless conversation with my friends.Should I text him and tell him what happened?
No, then there’d be evidence for the paparazzi to find if they get my phone records. Or something. I don’t know how that stuff works. Maybe—
“You okay, Val?” Frankie gave me a concerned look.
“Yep,” I said with a smile that absolutely was not okay and Frankie knew it. She narrowed her eyes but didn’t press me.
Just need to make it through the next half hour, then I can escape.
Without meaning to, I caught Nolan’s eye across the ballroom. I must have looked as petrified as I felt, because he said something in Cressida’s ear, and before I knew it, they were saying their goodbyes and heading for the exit, him watching me all the way. When they reached the door, he gave me a subtle, beckoning nod.
I forced myself to take a deep breath.Okay. Maybe only ten more minutes and I’ll make my excuses.
When I got to Nolan’s house, Cressida opened the door before I could.
“Tell me what’s wrong,” she demanded, yanking me inside and steering me into the kitchen where Nolan waited. His bowtie was undone, hanging loosely around his neck, his signature glass of scotch cradled in a hand. At my appearance, he ditched his drink and captured my face with both hands.
“What happened?” he asked. “I’ve never seen you look so afraid.”
A dry swallow clicked my throat, then I said, “I ran into Erica in the bathroom. She said something that spooked me, but I think she was just being a pot-stirrer. I’m overreacting.” But my heart rate and adrenaline-addled body didn’t agree.
“Did she catch you two…?” Cressida asked. At the question, Nolan’s frown grew fierce, but his hands remained gentle against my skin.
“I…don’t think so,” I said. “I didn’t see her until I got all the way downstairs and Nolan was long gone.” His thumb brushed away the tear that spilled down my cheek. “I’m sorry. I should have waited longer before leaving the room. Or I shouldn’t have met you there at all. Or when I saw her in the bathroom, I could have made up some story to—”
“Stop,” he said, smoothing his thumbs across my cheeks. “None of this is your fault.”
In a swift move, Cressida retied Nolan’s bowtie, shoved his arms in his tuxedo jacket, and hauled him toward the front door. “Let’s go, lover boy.”
“I’m not leaving her,” Nolan protested at Cressida’s back.
At that, she spun in a swirl of wintry curls. “Erica thinks she saw something between you two. Leaving before the closing remarks will only serve as proof positive to her feeble little mind. So we need to get back out there and show her and every single person with a fucking camerathat you and I are blissfully in love.Thatwill be the story printed on those godforsaken websites tomorrow. Not whatever garbage that woman spews. You remember that Viennese Waltz we did last year at the Founder’s banquet?”
Nolan’s jaw feathered as he responded with a tight “Yes.”
“Great. We’re giving the people a show. Right fucking now. If that doesn’t work, I have it on good authority Erica is fucking Anton’s father, Stefan, on the side. She’ll love it if that news gets out, buthewon’t, and Stefan Alistair will do anything to maintain his spotless reputation. But let’s try the ‘cowing them into submission with the unequivocal power of our love’ plan first.”
With that, Cressida hiked up her skirts and headed outside, already barking into her phone for Stan to return with the car. Even through my panic, a wave of gratitude washed over me.Cressida is a force to be reckoned with. We are lucky to have her.Nolan paused at the door, turning to me. A fiery expression stole across his face. “We’ll fix this, Val. I promise.”
“I know. I trust you.” The truth of my statement stoked a growing flame within me. I trusted him in a way that was bone deep, etched onmy soul. He’d already proven he’d take care of me and my family, and I knew he’d take care of this too.
At my words, something unknown flashed in his eyes, then he ducked outside.
All we can do now is wait and hope it blows over.
Chapter 26
VAL
Itwaswellaftermidnight when I heard Nolan come home. While he and Cressida had been away schmoozing the press, I’d arrived at a conclusion. Our close call tonight had put things into perspective. Losing Nolan was inevitable, whether it was because we got outed by the tabloids, his impending nuptials, or our limited timeline.
