With everything I am I want to embrace this new relationship. No matter how wrong we seem for each other, hemakes me feel seen, cherished, and it’s not just the incredible orgasms he gives me.
“Well?” Elsbeth asks, moving in front of me. The woman is always able to detect the slightest whiff of scandal and no doubt her nose for trouble is twitching right now.
“Well, I, um...” I glance at Alexandria and Elizabeth. Out of everyone here, my two closest friends will be the ones upset by my revelation, and not because they’ll be sad Colin is gone. “I’m divorced.”
“What?”
“Since when?”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
I can’t make out who asks what with everyone speaking at once and heading in my direction.
“It didn’t work out and we parted amicably.”
I won’t reveal more than that. The details of my shockingly short marriage and quickie divorce will remain a closely guarded secret lest it find its way into the papers.
Alexandria grabs my arm. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. And here I am carrying on about my own divorce like I’m the only one to suffer through such horror.”
I smile. “Alexandria, you have every right to talk about it if you want to. I guess I was never affected deeply enough to speak of my own, which says a lot about the marriage, I think.”
“But still.”
“No. It was actually a relief in the end.” I will give her more details when we’re alone, but for now I want to divert her and the others. “Time for dinner, please bring your glasses with you.”
I make my way to the dining room where the meal is waiting for us. I set up the sideboard buffet style and I smile when I spot the tray of smoked ocean trout Carter added to the menu.
He has a good palate, the succulent fish paired with the baby spinach and rocket salad, and vegetarian lasagna will be delicious.
The man has depths I haven’t reached yet and suddenly I want to sink to the bottom and discover every little thing about him. Right now.
“What has that smile on your face?” Elizabeth asks.
“Oh.” I lower my voice and lean closer so only she can hear. “I’ll tell you later. Actually, hang around after everyone else goes. I want to introduce you and Alexandria to someone.”
Time to get a little crazy.
16
OLIVIA
18 months later
Isip my champagne and try to appear interested in the conversation going on around me. But even pretending is difficult with my nerves so jittery.
Other than the initial arrival, where multiple cameras clicked away to capture the glamour and glitter that drips from the attendees of the annual Sapphire Ball, I’ve never been nervous about attending this event.
Not even the knowledge I have to face my publicity-hungry parents manages to put butterflies in my stomach like the ones I have now.
No. Only one person can get my nerves in a tangle of dread and anticipation.
Carter.
We’ve been dating well over a year, and while that includes being seen together in public, we haven’t rubbed shoulders with the who’s who of Sydney’s social elite yet.
Until tonight.
And he’s late.
