Page 42 of Beautiful Enemy

His voice reaches my ears at the same time as the music far away. I can’t make out the words, but I spot him in a corner, speaking to a stunning blonde. She’s statuesque, like an old movie star with perfect hair and perfect curves.

It’s her voice I make out first. “It’s not the same without you.”

When she reaches for him, laying a hand on his face—that coolly untouchable face—every thought evaporates.

I watch them for a minute, my chest aching in protest as he murmurs a response too low to hear.

Another minute, to force myself to digest the truth of this situation.

For a moment, on his arm, I felt as if this world was mine too. To borrow, if not to own.

But seeing Harrison in a moment of obvious intimacy with the woman I assume is his ex reminds me I’m an outsider.

I don’t know this man. I can’t, and I shouldn’t want to. Just because he’s capable of being close with someone doesn’t mean I should expect him to do anything other than hurt me or disappoint me.

I take off the uncomfortable shoes and leave them in a corner behind a potted plant. As I start down the hall, I run into Ash.

“You should’ve come with me, American Girl,” he tosses.

“I shouldn’t have come at all.”

His grin fades as I grab a drink off a passing tray.

“Tell him I’m heading out,” I say. “If he notices I’m gone.”

* * *

Harrison

I told myself I wouldn’t feel a thing the next time I saw her.

I was wrong.

“Do you remember how we used to lie out all day sunbathing in Monaco?” Eva asks.

It’s not as if I still care for her, but the echoes of it fill my chest when I thought I’d burnt them out and remind me of something important.

I’m capable of caring.

“Where is your date this evening?” I interrupt.

“Singapore. Or maybe Tokyo.” She waves a dismissive hand as if his absence makes him unworthy of discussion.

I glance past her. “If this is your attempt to keep me from speaking with Christian—”

“Of course not! I hoped I’d see you tonight.”

Her soft pout used to get to me, but now, in the hall where she’s cornered me, I see only the manipulation beneath.

“Well, now you have. Give my regards to your new diversion for me.”

I brush past her down the hall, determined to find Christian.

Though my primary purpose tonight is to pin down our host, I can’t stop thinking about the woman who excused herself from my side twenty minutes ago and hasn’t returned since.

As I pass impeccably dressed guests in tuxes and dresses in every color of the rainbow, my mind flashes back to my reluctant date handling herself in the den of rich vipers.

I’d half expected the seething sullenness she’d graced me with more than once, but in this exclusive crowd, she was both gracious and assertive.

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