The noise from the ballroom hits us immediately—voices layered over string music, champagne glasses clinking, and polite laughter from clusters of people.
Silent auction tables line the walls, a string quartet plays near the bar, and servers circulate with champagne and hors d’oeuvres.
Tania stays close for the first hour. We make the rounds together. Shake hands. Smile for photos. We all introduce her as our wife, and no one blinks.
Then Evan pulls her onto the dance floor, and I’m left standing near the bar with a drink I’m not touching.
I watch from across the room. His hand is lower than it should be. Not inappropriate. But lower.
She laughs at something he says. He leans in, mouth near her ear, and whatever he whispers makes her cheeks flush.
Callum appears beside me, loosening his tie. “You’re staring.”
“I’m observing.”
“Same thing.” He signals the bartender. “Whiskey. Neat.”
The bartender pours, and Callum takes a drink.
On the dance floor, Evan spins Tania, and her dress flares. When he pulls her back, his hand settles on her hip.
Callum follows my gaze. “You know he’s sleeping with her, right?”
I don’t answer.
“They’re not exactly subtle.” He takes another drink. “Neither am I, for that matter.”
My grip tightens on my glass.
“You’re the only one pretending this is still fake,” Callum continues. “And you’re bad at it.”
I turn to face him. “We made a promise to Ben.”
“We did.” He finishes his whiskey and sets the glass down. “But Tania didn’t.”
He doesn’t wait for me to respond and heads toward the auction tables.
I drain my drink in one swallow. The burn doesn’t help. I set the glass down harder than necessary and head for the balcony doors.
The cold air hits me the second I step outside.
I pull out my phone and dial Ben’s number before I can talk myself out of it.
It rings once. Twice. Then I hang up.
Calling him would require an explanation I don’t have.
I open my messages instead.
Me:Paparazzi asked for a photo. They pushed for a kiss. Wanted to give you a heads-up in case you see anything online.
I stare at the screen, and three dots appear.
Ben:Thanks for letting me know.
That’s it. No follow-up. No questions.
I don’t know if that’s better or worse.
