Page 42 of The Man She Loves to Hate

Last night had been amazing, life-altering. There had been a moment where an understanding had passed between them. An unspoken promise neither of them had vocalized.

Or so she’d thought.

When he’d come out of the bathroom, she’d been lying on her side waiting for him, anticipating him sliding in next to her and curling around her for the remainder of the night. She’d already begun looking forward to this morning. But he hadn’t stayed.

“Peaches,” he said, his smile relaxed and easy as he placed a kiss on her lips. She hummed, waiting for what came next. More chocolate in bed, maybe? “I’m heading back to my room. You’re fading fast and I’ve already kept you up too late.”

It hadn’t been a question, so she hadn’t answered. He’d pulled on his clothes, not appearing the least bit shaken, which was why she’d been so confused when he said goodnight and then walked out of her suite.

Odd behavior, for sure. She hadn’t had a lot of experience, but after sex that good, why would he leave? Unless he was preparing to leave her permanently. Which had always been the plan, she supposed. She certainly hadn’t started sleeping with her nemesis in the hopes of building a life with him.

And yet...

There was more between them than mere physical attraction. They should be able to talk about it openly. Honestly. Frustrated by her own inability to soothe herself or make a decision about where to go from here, she drove to the Texas Cattleman’s Club. She parked near the side entrance, confident about her decision to show up and face Trick.

But as she entered her darkened office, her fortitude began to crumble. The way he’d run out on her last night hadn’t made her feel sexy or wanted. Trick had made her feel used, just like Louis had suggested.

The wedding cake arrived at 11 a.m., delivered by a woman named Ebony and two men introduced as her “helpers.” Rylee showed the trio to the kitchen where space had been cleared in the refrigerator to house the tiered cake. The two guys headed back out to the van, and Ebony and Rylee walked to her office to sign off on the safe-and-sound delivery of the cake.

“It’s a masterpiece, truly,” Rylee said as she scribbled her name on the invoice.

“Thank you.” Ebony pushed a thick braid over one shoulder. “I wish I could be here to see Ari and Ex’s reaction.”

“Trust me, they’re going to love it.” Rylee walked Ebony to the door, chatting about the heat and how challenging it must have been to transport the cake without it melting. She’d been paying such close attention to the other woman’s story about a time when the refrigeration unit stopped working in the van, that she didn’t notice Trick until it was too late.

On the sidewalk, he was chatting with Ebony’s helpers. Well, more than chatting. Laughing and addressing the camera while he filmed them.

“That’s Trick MacArthur,” Ebony said.

Rylee waited for the smile, the mention of how big of a fan Ebony was, or for her to swoon over how attractive she found him. Because who didn’t? It seemed everyone he’d met worshiped at his altar.

Instead, Ebony wrinkled her nose. “I don’t trust that guy.”

Rylee snapped to attention. “Excuse me?”

“Sorry if you two are close. Ever since I found out he was running a hoax, I can’t support what he does.”

“What hoax?” Rylee’s stomach clenched. What was Ebony talking about?

“The one where he pays the bride and groom to let him ‘crash’ the wedding. He’s been spotted leaving a thick envelope full of cash money on more than one gift table. It was all over The Dallas Duchess’s website.”

The mention of The Dallas Duchess gave Rylee pause. It was a known gossip website, hardly the evening news, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t a nugget of truth to what was reported.

“On camera, he appears out of the ether, winning over guests at the reception one by one. We assume everyone falls in love with him, but in reality they’ve been paid off. Not even reality is real any more. It’s a shame.” Ebony shrugged and then gave Rylee a professional smile. “To each their own, I guess. Have fun at the wedding tomorrow.”

Fun. Sure. Rylee nodded absently.

Trick finished with his camerawork, and then shook both of the other men’s hands. Once the van pulled away, he strode over to Rylee. Was that a glimmer of uncertainty in his eyes, or was she imagining it?

“Morning.” He was standing farther away from her than usual, which was making her suspicious. “How’d you sleep?”

“Youpaythe bride and groom to crash their wedding?”

That wasn’t how she’d intended to greet him, but wasn’t sure she was ready to discuss him running away from her last night. If that’s what he’d done.God.Had she ever overthought a situation this much?

“What are you talking about?” He shot a thumb in the direction of the van driving down the road. “Is that what she told you? Where’d she hear that?”

His tone was clipped, which made her wonder if there was some truth to the accusation. “Do you?”

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