He smiled. “What I lack in information I make up for in charm.”
“Do you though?”
Hailey interrupted. “Why are we talking to this bitch?”
I stepped forward, my hands on my hips. “Watch your mouth you dime-store cunt.”
Greyson matched my energy. “Hey, that’s Mrs. Dime-store Cunt Stockford to you.”
Holy shit. He married her? Greyson Stockford, perpetual playboy and bachelor, had married a townie bitch he barely knew. I had pedigree, beauty, money, and all the right connections. These two women, who clearly dug their wardrobeout of a bargain bin and had probably never been to Paris, had beaten me?
Again the uncomfortable sensation that perhaps the problem was with me crept over me.
Hailey rounded on him. “When I need you to fight my battles, I’ll ask.”
He grabbed her around the waist, picked her up, and kissed her—all over her cries of outrage. “But I shined my armor just for you, little bird.”
“You as my knight in shining armor? Don’t make me laugh.”
Still holding her high around the waist he kissed the space between her breasts. “I’m not trying to make you laugh. I want to make you?—”
Pierce stepped forward. “While Greyson starts his honeymoon on my carpet, can you tell me what you want?”
My gaze traveled to Madison and then back to him. “Is it too late to say…you?”
Pierce shifted to bring her against his side. “Yes.”
I spread my arms as I blinked at the moisture behind my eyes. “Can’t blame a girl for trying.”
“What do you want, Skylar?” This time his voice softened with something that sounded dangerously close to pity.
It was time to cut my losses. I still had my pride.
Stiffening my spine, I tossed the invitation on the side table and closed my purse. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend. I have a flight to Paris to catch. I think it’s time for a…new start.”
Ignoring Madison and the rest, I approached Pierce.
He started as I stepped into the light. Apparently, the makeup didn’t cover the black eye as well as I thought.
He frowned. “Skylar…”
I shook my head and quoted from my favorite movie. “‘I never did mind about the little things.’” I then leaned forwardand kissed his cheek, ignoring Madison’s hiss in response. “Watch your back tonight. He’s…not well.”
Before leaving, I turned back one last time. “Be kind to Tompkins. He had no idea what my plans were. As you know, he’s always had a soft spot for me.”
Throwing my shoulders back, I tossed them a small smile and left.
If there was any redemption for me at all, I’d never return to Cliffs End.
CHAPTER 60
MADISON
Iyanked Hailey out of Greyson’s arms and moved a few steps away. “It absolutely shouldn’t happen this way.”
“What?”
I waved my arms as I continued to rant. “The moment should be sweet, endearing, something I’d tell my children one day. It should be over a romantic dinner, or a picnic, and flowers and chocolates should be involved.”
