The fucker is still standing outside the bathroom, engrossed in whatever is on his phone screen.
Selene backs away, her lips spreading into a wide grin. “I’ll see you out there later, right?”
My grin returns. “Absolutely.”
Her gaze knocks me off my feet until she’s spinning on her heel, marching down the hall toward the ballroom. I watch the sway of her hips as she weaves in between the countless auction attendees and guests, not looking away from her even as Vanessa says her goodbye and leaves me standing there alone.
The way Selene’s blonde hair is twisted, with tendrils resting against the base of her neck, and the silky yellow fabric shaping her silhouette makes me think I’ve seen it somewhere before. A movie, maybe.
Whatever the fuck it was. The one with Matthew McConaughey.
“How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days,” my sister’s whispering voice hits my ear.
“What?” I turn, shocked by her sudden appearance, shoulder to shoulder beside me.
“That’s where the inspiration for her dress came from. You know, the movie with Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey?”
“Oh, yeah, sure.”
A grin stretches from ear to ear. “Isn’t Massimo great?”
“Yeah.” I swallow.
“I’m just thankful she isn’t with that asshole Adam anymore.”
I try not to show how this new revelation makes me feel inside.
“She deserves someone better,” Julianna simply states, not giving me any more details.
I’m still watching Selene walk away. “She does.”
I feel my sister’s narrowed gaze, her suspicion piquing.
Shit. My honesty catches both of us off guard.
“Need I remind you of Rebec?—"
“She was looking for you, by the way,” I cut in, wanting to drop this conversation faster than a burning piece of coal.
My sister doesn’t trust me when it comes to women, especially as far as her friends are concerned. Honestly, I can’t blame her. Deep down, she’s probably thankful her other two friends are spoken for. As if I was ever interested in them, anyway.
“I thought you had an auction to get underway,” I add.
Julianna takes a step forward but abruptly stops before whipping back around to me. She’s no longer in her usual playful mood. Clearly, she’s irritated with me. She stares my way for several beats before her body language softens slightlyand she lowers the daggers she has pointed at me. “I just wanted to tell you the rumor mill has already started around here. I’ve overheard several conversations, all with yours and Rome’s names being uttered. I think you should heed Treena’s advice and stay under the radar tonight. Don’t do anything you would normally do.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, and you know exactly what I mean.” The corner of her mouth curls. “Just try not to be Holt Capuleti tonight.”
I try not to take her comment to heart but, fuck, it’s hard not to when she’s not only said this, but she’s also bringing up my past. Clearly, my history hasn’t been forgotten around here, and now I’m afraid it’s only going to be thrust further into the limelight with this lawsuit hanging over my head.
I’m fucked.
THREE
SELENE
Holt Capuleti has never been one to show emotion, but under his flippant attitude about almost everything in his life, there’s a heart that’s guarded behind a shield of iron. He’s kind when he needs to be and never takes life too seriously. Unless it’s his business ventures, including Scribe Magazine.
