I had other people on my list to catch up with, but first I needed to go jump up and down like a five-year-old on Christmas morning. I scooted outside through tall glass doors to the French-style garden off of the grand ballroom. After looking around, I jumped up and down and gave a whoop.
“Yes! Yes!” I rubbed my hands together. “God damn, Grace is fantastic. Maybe I won’t actually divorce her.”
“You better.”
I turned.
“Dad! I didn’t know you were going to be here.”
His face was an ugly mask.
“What did I tell you?” he said in a threatening tone. “Marriage is a trap.”
I took a deep breath.
“I know, but what if you found the right woman? I mean, Grace and I, we work well together.”
My father grabbed me by the collar of my tux, shaking me roughly.
“I have spent every waking moment since your mother threw you and a child-support notice on my desk,” he snarled. “I will not have you spit on my sacrifices because you’re too stupid to know when you’re being used.”
“Grace isn’t like that!” I protested.
“All women are like that. All women are manipulative,” my father insisted. “All women are out to ruin you. Grace is no different.”
“She is.” I was stubborn.
My dad released me.
“No,” he said slowly. “She’s not.”
He grabbed me by the back of my neck, forcing me to look back inside through the windows. There was Grace, laughing it up with my ex, the woman who had broken my heart and almost ruined my business, Addison.
23
Grace
“Ireally wasn’t planning on staying long,” I said to Ivy.
“Please, you have to!” she begged. “I hate being at these big events by myself. It’s so much more fun with a friend! Besides, I’m sure Chris wants to show you off!”
I made a face. “Doubtful. He ran off as soon as he could.”
“He’s probably rubbing one out in the bathroom because you look so freaking hot in that dress!” Ivy bumped me with her hip.
“Uh-huh.” She suddenly grabbed me and turned me around.
“What?”
Ivy hissed, “Just make your way to the bar.”
“Ivy, Grace,” a high-society voice said.
Ivy muttered a curse then turned around, a bright smile on her face.
“Addison,” she exclaimed. “How lovely to see you here.”
“Why are you two at a party instead of working on my wedding?”
