“You mean other than making men feel special when you finally do kiss them?”
She gapes at me. “I haveneverkissed a client.”
This time, my laugh is loud and filled with too much pain. “How am I supposed to believe you? This entire time, I’ve beenthe one who’s been pursuing this relationship. How do I know what’s true if I don’t even know how you feel aboutme?”
When hurt flashes in her eyes, my immediate reaction is to wrap her in my arms, to comfort her and fight off the pain.
But…I can’t.
Because right now, in this whiskey-fueled moment, all of my worries from the past few weeks, all of the warnings and doubts I’ve tried to shove down, they all come bubbling to the surface.
And I’m too terrified of the thought of losing her to fight them back.
“I…I never meant…” Her words are unsure and do nothing to lesson my panic.
When her eyes dart over my shoulder once again, I can’t stop myself from blurting out, “Trying to figure out which one of your clients you should admit to?”
Her gaze snaps back to mine. When she doesn’t respond right away, just studies me, I squirm for the first time.
“I don’t care who you just ran into,” she says, lowering her voice. “Because it doesn’t matter. Heliedto you. He probably saw you kissing me and got angry that I never kissedhim.”
A small trickle of doubt drips down my back. My fear is still too big to handle, but for the first time since I left her at the bar, a little bit of critical thinking cuts through the haze of red.
Was the guy lying?I didn’t even consider the option. Between the panic that he might be telling the truth, my feelings for Scarlett, and then the sight of her with Tyler, I jumped straight toScarlettbeing the liar.
For a moment, I can only look at her. I’m still vibrating with uncertainty, still too on-edge to think clearly.
In the end, the only thing I can admit is a broken, “I don’t know what to believe.”
Instantly, Scarlett straightens her spine. All emotions disappear from her eyes, a wall shuttering between us as sheplasters a mask over her face. It’s the same expression she used to give me in the beginning when she was shutting me out.
“Well, I guess that decides everything, then,” she says with a forced polite smile. “Have a good night, Mr. Price.”
And then she turns and disappears into the crowd.
THIRTY-SIX
SCARLETT
I can’t get out of the ballroom fast enough.
Tears blur my vision, and for the first time since my mother put me in heels at the age of thirteen, I stumble. I have to catch myself on a nearby table to steady my trembling legs.
Swiping furiously at my cheeks, it takes me a second to realize it’s still early in the night, and that the front of the building is still swarming with people and paparazzi. I won’t be able to get out of here without attracting attention.
I bolt down a blocked-off hallway instead. When I find a bathroom at the end of it, I let out a stuttered exhale of relief, then push through the door and collapse on the chaise lounge inside.
Finally alone, I give in to the tears.
Sobs wrack my chest, the hurt exploding like fireworks. Nico’s words ring in my ears on repeat.
God, I am such an idiot. A stupid, delusional idiot. I thought I would find comfort and reassurance when I sought him out. Instead, I learned the truth about how he sees me.
I shake my head, the tears running freely. I can’t believe I let myself hope, let myselffeel. Nico was never going to see me as anything more than an escort.
Because I’m nothing more than an escort.
I let out a wet, humorless laugh. The scolding I’d be receiving from my mother right now would be one for the ages.
