Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Of course. We exchange conspiratorial grins, and I nod. “I can do that.”
I turn to find Alec chatting with a silver-haired man at the bar. When he spots me heading his way, he stiffens for a beat before catching himself and winking like we share some sort of sweet secret.
“I don’t mean to interrupt your conversation,” I say, ducking my head. “I was told to get you and dance.”
“I’m always happy to be interrupted by a beautiful woman,” the silver-haired man says.
I force a smile, but I’m afraid he can tell I’m gritting my teeth. I can’t wait for this night to be over.
“This is Paul, Rose’s father-in-law,” Alec explains. “He was just telling me about the progress on the renovations of their vacation home in Nice.”
“Wow.” I try to pretend like I regularly engage in conversations about vacation homes, let alone ones in foreign locales. My grandparents had a second home in Naples, but my father was forced to sell that when I was young and he couldn’t pay the taxes.
“You and Alec should take a week or two there once we get it finished. You’d love the South of France.”
Dodge and weave discussions of the future. “It must be challenging to handle renovations from so far away.”
“Yes, indeed,” Paul says. “That’s why my wife’s been spending so much time there—at least, she was up until the wedding planning made it too overwhelming for her to be away.”
“I bet!”
This world Alec’s from—homes in other countries, elaborate parties. My childhood was all about pretending we had more than we did so that these people with their yachts and European vacation homes would even give my parents the time of day. Bowing and scraping and praying we might pass for wealthy. I left that world for a reason.
A big part of me is glad Alec and I never really had a chance. I’m not sure I could bring myself to go back to it.
You’d go back for Oliver, a little voice in my brain whispers.
Of course, it would be different with Oliver. He’s not about climbing social ladders and rubbing elbows with the most important people in the room.
Irrelevant. Oliver and I ended years ago.
“Well, I can leave you two,” I say, taking a step back. “Alec and I can dance anytime.”
“I’ll just be a minute,” he says, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. He feels bad about our talk in the car, but I don’t. I’m glad I got to stand up for Oliver—even if only in the smallest way.
“I’ll keep her company until you’re ready,” a smooth, deep voice says behind me. Oliver.
Shivers dance down my back at the thought of Oliver pulling me into his arms. What we did this afternoon happened so fast that it almost doesn’t feel real.
Alec’s face goes stony. “I won’t be long at all.”
But suddenly Alec’s mother is at my side. “You must get to know Oliver,” Cheryl says. “He always has such great stories to tell. Go on, dance.”
Oliver’s eyes go wide, and I almost laugh. She hasn’t said one positive word toward me since I arrived, and now she’s encouraging me to dance with Oliver. Oliver, who stole Portentia away from Alec. Oliver, who Alec believes is trying to steal me away from him.
I look to Alec, mentally pleading him to give me an excuse. But he doesn’t want to reveal his jealousy or insecurities in front of these people, so he forces a smile. “Don’t keep her long.”
Oliver takes my hand and nods toward the dance floor. When we step among the other dancing couples, he pulls me loosely into his arms, leaving a respectable distance between us.
I can’t risk meeting his eyes. I might forget myself, might lose myself in memories of the days when those eyes represented safety and love. So instead I stare over his shoulder, taking in everything and nothing.
I spot Alec and a graceful blonde stepping around the building and into the darkness together. “I’ve been thinking about what really happened between you, Alec, and Portentia when you all were in college,” I say.
Oliver’s hand tightens on my hip before loosening again. “What do you mean, what really happened?”
“I mean, I know his side of the story, and I’m curious to know yours.”
“Let me guess. He told you I seduced her and got her pregnant right under his nose?”
“Yes, and that she was another casualty in you wanting anything he had.”
He’s quiet for a long time, and we do a few turns around the floor before he says, “And do you think that’s what today was? Me trying to seduce you just so my brother can’t marry you?”
I slow my steps and stare at him. “Wasn’t it? Isn’t that how you paid Chuck back for hurting Rose? Stealing me away from him? You’ve been out of my life for eight years, and once Alec put a ring on my finger, you were here with your tender kisses and sweet words. Seems pretty convenient.”