Page 16 of Embrace
I shook my head softly as I rolled my eyes.
“Oh shit, let the games begin,” she whispered as we walked forward.
* * *
For the firsttime since we’d broken up, I was happy that Rich had made an appearance. I could say for certain that I had been on the verge of confessing to Zara that Jake and I might be related. I wasn’t sure I would’ve gone as far as to tell her everything, but Zara was too clever, and the more I talked, the closer she came to coaxing the truth out of me.
Once we were close enough, Rich glared at my tits then my face, making me feel as if I should cross my arms over my cleavage. I wanted to explain that I was dressed classy but sexy for another man, not him. But then I thought I shouldn’t feel bashful or inappropriate because he was still turned on by me. He’d ruined our relationship. He was the cheater. Then he’d started a relationship with Courtney. Screw him.
I stood tall as Zara and I walked up the steps.
“And how are you tonight, Rich?” Zara asked as we were passing him.
He snarled at her and chugged his beer.
“What a tool,” she whispered in my ear.
“And not the sharpest one in the shed,” I muttered.
Courtney’s house smelled of potpourri mixed with incense. There were a lot of furniture pieces in every visible area. It was all tied together by the same sort of lacquered cherrywood, gold-leaf trim, and silk cushions. I was standing under one of two crystal chandeliers. Zara and I were still in the foyer. There was another enormous chandelier in the living room. And every shelf, cabinet, and table had some sort of expensive knickknack on the surface. Plus, the brocade curtains had gold tassels.Of course, the brocade curtains have gold tassels.Her taste was just as gaudy as I knew it would be.
“There you are,” a high-pitched voice squealed from somewhere amongst all the bodies.
Zara and I looked at each other with wide eyes then grinned.
Suddenly, Courtney appeared, making a path between two groups of tall, athletic men who were ogling Zara and me as if we were buck naked.
“Oh, Zara, you’re back. Glad you came,” Courtney said excitedly as they hugged.
“I talked to you last night, remember? You called and asked if I was coming,” Zara said.
“Oh,” she said, feigning as though she’d just recalled that tidbit. “Right.” She hugged me. “But, Penina, Greg’s here, and he’s been asking about you since he arrived.”
I ruffled my eyebrows at her. Frankly, I was speechless, until I wasn’t. “I told you I wasn’t interested in being Greg Carroll’s date.”
“He’s nice,” she squealed. “You’ll like him.”
“I’m going to go mingle while Court tries to set you up with another winner,” Zara whispered into my ear.
I caught myself before I rolled my eyes. Since Jake had pointed the habit out to me, I was dead set on controlling it.
“What did she say?” Court asked, grinning uncomfortably.
I was certain that she only wanted Zara around because Zara kept rejecting being close friends with her. Courtney was one of those women who hated being told no, which was why I had to get something straight with her.
I put my hand on her nimble shoulder. “Court, I’m not in the market for a boyfriend.” I made sure I got very close to articulate the second part of what I had to say, because I was sure she needed to hear it. “Nor am I interested in your boyfriend.”
The back of her hand shot up so fast in front of my face that I had to lean away to keep her from hitting me. “You mean my fiancé, and I know you’re not interested in Rich, and he’s not interested in you either.” It was amazing how she said all of that in her I’m-a-nice-Valley-girl and peppy-cheerleader tone of voice.
“Good,” I said, not in the least bit insulted by her need to claim Rich as her fiancé and pretend that he wasn’t still in love—perhaps it was more lust—with me. I nodded while examining the room. “You have a nice turnout, though.”
There were more athletes than I could count in the large room as well as the women that sniffed their tails. When Rich and I had been together, I learned that being a groupie was a full-time job. Those girls followed players from city to city, hooking up with them behind their girlfriends’ and wives’ backs. I was certain Rich had fucked his share of those career-athlete chasers. He probably had a steady diet of fucking two a day. I patted myself on the back for caring enough about myself to make him wear a condom every time we had sex. However, Rich was right to accuse me of being the one responsible for our sex life dwindling to nonexistence. The more he’d cheated, the less attracted to him I became.
However, athletes and groupies weren’t the only guests. Of course, lots of people were from the hospital, including Angela, who waved at me wildly when I spotted her. I waved back just as enthusiastically. There were also people from other walks of life, which included the worlds of entertainment and business. I knew that because I’d seen them at other functions. They were mostly Rich’s friends.
“So how are you anyway?” Court asked, forcing small talk.
I wondered why she was still beside me and not mingling with other newcomers. “I’m fine.” I located the group I wanted to go chat with, my entire team of residents, who looked to be having a laughing good time discussing whatever they were talking about.
