Page 99 of Knocked Up by My Fake Fiancé
I have to give her credit: she's brilliant at what she does.
As more guests arrive, I make small talk, watching people absorb the space. To my surprise, no one finds the location too unconventional. They actually like it—standing around, sipping champagne, talking about art instead of staring blankly at the catering table.
"I'm so glad you didn't go with a boring old conference hall," a Texan oil tycoon named Haigel drawls beside me. I've known him for years, though I've never liked him much. His tone's loud, his breath smells of whiskey. Either he's been hitting the wine bar hard since he arrived, or he came in drunk. Knowing Haigel, it's both.
"Yes, me too," I say with a genuine smile. I can't wait for Jenna to show up and see this. She'll love watching me eat my words.
I don't mind. Hell, I'm looking forward to it. I like admitting when she's right. She was right about this venue—it's a masterpiece.
Maybe I should get her something as a reward. Something she wouldn't expect.
Perhaps a new car. Her Lexus, while colorful and functional, doesn't have the safety features it should. Plus, it's just… a Lexus.
Maybe I'll take her car shopping—or surprise her, like the Milan and Paris trip I've been planning behind her back.
The thought makes me smile.
I've been secretly working with her assistant to clear her schedule for fashion week in Europe. She'll be furious when she finds out, but she'll love it once we're there. If I tell her beforehand, she'll just say she's too busy, so I'll do it my way—the sneaky way.
The fun way.
I'm thinking about that when Haigel interrupts my train of thought. "You know, I read an interesting article about you in the papers this morning."
"Oh yeah?" I say flatly.
"Yeah. It was all about how you and your fiancée met. Quite the eye-opener. Money well spent, I say."
I raise an eyebrow. What on earth does he mean? Not that I'm really paying attention — too many other things wired in my head. Besides, the man's half-cut. He probably doesn't even know what he's saying.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jenna. She's walking toward us. Good. I can finally get away from this bore.
Haigel turns just as she arrives.
"And is this your fiancée?" the man says, swiveling to look me over. His stare slides over Jenna in that leering way that makes my skin crawl. "Hooo-eee," he whistles. "I can see why you picked her to plan this symposium… amongst other things. She's a mighty fine filly, that's for sure."
My jaw tightens. Did he really just say that? With Jenna standing right there?
"She got the role because she was the most qualified," I say, my voice low and edged. I don't like the way he's looking at her. The hint of warning in my tone doesn't seem to register.
"Yeah, sure. I bet her dick-sucking skills had absolutely nothing to do with it!" he roars, then laughs like he's told the world's funniest joke.
Laugh at your own punchline, I think. Except this isn't funny.
Something in me snaps. The reflex is pure animal. I pull my fist back and strike him square on the nose.
I hear the crack of bone and the wet splatter of blood. He collapses backward like a felled tree, hitting the floor with a dull thud.
For a suspended second, everything is silent. You could hear a pin drop. Then Haigel's howl of pain splits the air.
"Goddammit — you broke my nose!"
People crowd around, the chatter rising like a storm. Cameras flash. Phones come up. The room becomes a wash of faces and questions and whispers.
If he weren't beneath me in every way, I might pick him up and send him flying again just for the pleasure of it. My heart hammers in my ribs, heat roaring through me. Rage, yes. But something else too, something ugly and fierce that tastes a little like triumph.
"What the fuck is your problem?" Haigel spits through blood.
My muscles are still coiled like steel cables, but I force my voice calm. "My problem," I say, coming down to his level and pointing to the venue, "is that you're drunk and you have no goddamn sense. You insulted my fiancée to my face — did you think I'd let that slide? She earned this. She didn't get the job because of anything but talent. She's smart and she works harder than anyone in this room. Say that again, and I'll break the rest of your teeth to match your nose."
