“Noooo…” His eyebrows raise in response. He hadn’t been around them nearly as often as I had over the years, but they’d come to enough events at Ben and Violet’s that he knew what a stupid move that was. “No fuckin’ way. Did she tell you that?”
“I noticed she wasn’t wearing a ring, asked if everything was good and she said no. She was shocked he hadn’t told me and didn’t seem too happy to have to deliver the news.”
“He wasn’t stupid enough to divorce her though, was he? She was out of his fucking league.”
“No. She left him.”
“Explains why he wasn’t in a hurry to tell anyone.”
“That and a few other things…” I smirk as the bartender hands me a glass.
“Can’t be that long if he was able to keep it quiet.”
“A few months it sounds like. Which also explains why they didn’t do anything for his birthday. Frankly, they were weird as fuck even at the last party they had, so I wonder how long it’s been brewing.”
“Well, good for her. Bad for your friend.”
“How long’s the mourning period for a divorce you think?”
“I don’t fucking know. My friend just got divorced and was fucking a new chick at the bar the night the papers were signed. Don’t know about his wife, but if she divorced him… Wait… you’re not…?” Tobias looks at me with skeptical concern.
“Why not? After him, she might reconsider it.” I roll the ball of ice around in the glass.
“Remind me to keep any and all potential wives far away from you.”
“I saw her fucking first,” I grouch because I’d not only seen her first, but I’d fucking kissed her first. Not that Drew knows. Even though I’d wanted to tell him half a dozen times. Even though I can almost guarantee he suspects it.
“Yeah? She a ball on the playground?”
“No, but you fucking know what I mean. I’m not in the habit of fighting over a woman or pursuing taken ones, but you know this wasn’t that. You were there when we met.”
“I’m just giving you shit. If you think she’d go for it. I guess it’d be the ultimate rebound. How’s he gonna feel about it?”
“Probably the same way I felt.”
“You wanna piss your agent off that way?”
“He can’t afford to lose me as a client. Especially if he’s having to pay alimony.” I grin at my luck.
“Well…” Tobias shakes his head and gives a shrug before he slides his glass back onto the bar top. “I know better than to try to talk you out of shit.”
I turn around to look for her but instead, I’m greeted by a woman with graying hair wearing a sharp-looking suit and heels.
“Hello! You must be Mr. Xavier. I’m the director of the museum. Harper told me you might be interested in helping us save the museum, and I’d love to tell you more about how you could support the institution and the community. Do you have some time?”
I hear a little choked laugh from Tobias that’s quickly covered by a cough as he stands a little straighter.
“And you’re Mr. Westfield, right? She pointed you out as well. I’d love to talk to both of you if you have a minute.” She flashes a pearly white smile, and I turn to Tobias, giving him a little shit-eating grin. That’s what he fucking gets for being amused by my fate.
“Sure, we’d love to hear more.” I nod and follow her lead over to a table where she begins to give us her prepared speech. One I don’t really need to hear because I’d already planned to do what I could, but if Saint thinks I need to be tortured for a while first, I’m willing to submit to it.
When I finally escape thirtyminutes later, I go looking for her, wanting to thank her for the very detailed sales pitch from her boss on saving the museum. One that ended in an invitation to take me and my father, the much-lauded senator, out to lunch to show us examples of how some of the money would be best used. I figured that’s why she’d pointed me out to her director. I might be able to sway public opinion, but my father could sway votes if he wants to. I grin at the idea of my father wanting to go out to lunch to discuss museums, let alone agreeing to do it with me. If it didn’t garner him swing votes, he didn’t give a fuck. And the only time he wants me is when my fame wins him political points with Joe Football on Election Day.
I scan the room looking for her, slowly making my way down the hall until I spot her in her black dress and cardigan. I can only see half of her face because one of my teammates is blocking the rest of her. It’s Daniels. The new guy no one but management wants here because he’s a raging asshole more concerned with attention than the game. He’s leaning over her, one hand against the wall, his other hand disappearing between the two of them. I don’t like the fucking look of it at all. So I pick up my pace, closing the distance between us and when I get close and my eyes finally catch on hers, I feel my blood run cold.
She’s shifting on her feet, looking distressed despite the smile that’s still plastered on her face and Daniels is being way too familiar with her for his own good, running a hand down her side as if he knows her. He’s either too drunk or too fucking stupid to leave her alone. Either way, I’m going to handle it. His choice is whether it’s the easy way or the hard one.
When I get close, she looks relieved to see me, her eyes coming to mine and giving me a pleading look. If she’s looking to me to save her, whatever he’s done or said is beyond the pale, and I’m already planning how to break his arms for touching her.
