Page 90 of The Fake Dating Plan

“He’s much more fun than you. At least he doesn’t call me a whore in so many words.”

We were closer now than before when someone brushed past her, tilting her towards me and if it weren’t for the quick grasp I made to her arm, we would have both toppled onto the floor.

“Are you okay?”

“Let go of me.” I hadn’t realized that my other arm had gone behind her back to steady her, and when I did, I untangled myself immediately. The electricity that passed between us didn’t die just as fast, though. It lingered as my gaze went to her rose-colored lips. Those lips were a breath away from mine a few seconds ago and I wanted to feel them fully. She had betrayed me. Came with the source of her betrayal and all I could think of was kissing her. She could feel it, too. I could tell she was thinking what I was thinking.

“Emilia…” I don’t know what I wanted to say to her. Whatever it was, Chad reduced it to ash because he reappeared again and was back beside her.

“Thank you for keeping her company for me,” he said. The urge to punch was so strong, I had to hide my balled fists and contend with watching them leave. Fuck that piece of shit. Why did I bother coming again, knowing she would be here? I would have been better off spending my time at home.

“They make a beautiful couple, don’t you think?”

I turned to see Heron standing beside me. The son disappears, and the father appears. What did I deserve to be graced by their presence? What crime was I paying?

“Nice to meet you, Heron.”

“And I you. It’s even made better by seeing you seething at the idea of my son being with your woman.”

“I thought you wanted her for yourself.”

He shrugged. “As long as you don’t have her, I’m satisfied.”

A server passed by. I took a wine glass from the tray and drank a sip. “Your petty, toothless games fascinate me, Heron. Emilia Harris is one of the many notches I have on my belt. Why would I care if she’s with him or you or whichever foolish schmuck she can tempt?”

He smirked. “Please, I know those images affected you more than you cared to admit. And I know you can’t stand my boy Chad over there being with her. Not that he can get a girl like that on his own. A little push from Daddy was all that was needed, but it was enough.”

“What are you getting at, Heron?”

“You don’t think those images leaked themselves, do you?”

Before I could ask him further, an usher came to me and said. “The show is about to start and you’ll be the first presenter. Would you come with me, please?”

18

“Is this the one?” Chad said as he sat next to me.

“Yes. It’s the first award of the night. Thanks for coming with me, by the way. You didn’t have to.”

“There you say that phrase again,”

“What?”

“You said, ‘you didn’t have to,’ three times tonight.”

“No way.”

“Once, when I came to take you. Again, after you had an encounter with your ex and now.”

“Encounter. You make it sound as though something significant happened between us. We exchanged hellos.” And a few barbed words.

“Is that so.” Chad raised his eyebrows.

“What’s he doing presenting the award!” Laura whispered beside me. Our company had a table of their own together with another smaller company. I hadn’t been listening to the proceedings until I heard his name being called out. He came on the stage with an easy swagger. He was so magnetic I could not not look at him. The entire room was enamored, just as I was.

I caught nothing he said. My mind was too preoccupied with my earlier encounter with him. Even though he was more than able to make me angry every time I saw him, he also could turn me into mush with every stare. Just as he was now. His eyes had wandered to me, making me feel like I was under the spotlight. That’s when I heard the applause and Laura screaming next to me. We had won the newest jeweler of the year award. I got up and made my way to the front. My legs felt heavy as I walked past the crowd of people clapping.

When I reached the stage, he was there waiting for me. My hands felt clammy, and I had to restrain myself from rubbing them against my dress. When he gave me the trophy, our fingers touched, an electric current running between us at the contact. I thought that would be it, but he clasped my hands, shocking me to immobility and he leaned over and said, “we need to talk,” and let me go.

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