I parked and turned to Paige, and in the glow of the mansion’s lights, she looked ethereal. Like something I had dreamed about.
“Last chance to back out,” I said, even though the thought of her saying yes made my chest tight with panic.
She looked at the mansion, at the people streaming up the marble steps in their designer gowns and tuxedos, then back at me.
“No backing out,” she said with a small grin. “Let’s do this.”
I got out and moved around to open her door, offering my hand. She took it, and the feel of her palm against mine sent electricity up my arm. We walked up the steps together, her hand in the crook of my elbow.
At the entrance, a photographer from the society pages was stationed, snapping photos of arriving guests. I felt Paige tense beside me.
“Everyone’s staring,” she whispered, her hold on me tightening.
“You look stunning, that’s why,” I said, glancing at her.
She pursed her lips and met my eyes. “I feel like I’m wearing a sign that says ‘home-wrecker.’”
“Hey, you’re not the one who cheated. Remember that,” I said, leaning down and brushed my lips across her cheek, smelling her sweet perfume. “Jack’s going to lose his mind.”
She looked up at me, and for a moment, I forgot we were acting. Forgot about the contract and the fake relationship.
“Smile,” I whispered, pulling her closer. “We’re madly in love, remember? Let’s put on a show for them.”
The photographer’s flash went off, capturing us frozen in that moment.
We stepped inside, and the noise hit us immediately. Laughter, conversation and the clink of champagne glasses. Musicians played in the corner. Servers circulated with trays of hors d’oeuvres. The room was full of the city’s elite like lawyers, judges, politicians, and socialites.
And then I saw him.
Jack, standing by the bar with a drink in his hand, and Olivia pressed against his side.
My blood went cold. I had checked the guest list. His firm hadn’t been invited. Then why the fuck is he here?
Paige saw him at the same moment I did. I felt her entire body go rigid beside me, her grip on my arm tightened until her nails dug in through my jacket.
And then Jack turned and saw us. He saw Paige in her emerald dress with her hand on my arm and my ring on her finger.
His face went from confused to shocked to absolutely furious in the span of four seconds.
He started walking toward us, Olivia scrambling to keep up, and I knew with absolute certainty that the night was about to go off the rails.
14
PAIGE IS SPECIAL
PAIGE
Jack was walking toward us, and I felt every muscle in my body lock up.
He wasn’t supposed to be here. Derek had checked the guest list. But there he was, weaving through the crowd with Olivia trailing behind him, and the look on his face promised trouble.
“Breathe,” Derek whispered in my ear, his hand settling at my back. It was warm, and the heat radiating through the silk of my dress made my stomach flip. “I’ve got you.”
I took a deep breath as Jack stopped in front of us. His cheeks were flushed, and there was a glaze to his eyes. He had been drinking.
“Paige,” he said, my name coming out sharp from his mouth. “Didn’t expect to see you here. Especially not with—” His gaze cut to Derek. “Him.”
“Jack,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “This is a charity event. We’re allowed to be here.”
