Page 86 of Weddings, Revenge & Fake Dating

Natasha’s demeanor softens. She places a hand on his arm and strokes, then moves close, whispering. What’s happening between them appears intimate. Nathan laughs like he can’t help himself, as if they’ve shared a private joke.

It’s a small action that could mean nothing—or everything.

Regardless of the answer, the heat drains from my cheeks. A knot the size of a coconut forms in my chest. My heartbeat pounds in my ears so loudly, I can hardly hear Sophia’s rambling. It takes a moment to decipher what she’s saying.

“I didn’t know they dated at some point, though technically, I don’t think you’d call it dating. Whatever their arrangement, they kept it a secret because of an image thing.” She goes on to say something about making Nathan appear single for fans.

All thinking halts at Sophia’s insider gossip.

“I’m so sorry to put you in this position.” She places a hand on my shoulder, snapping me out of my brain fog.

All of a sudden, I feel manic. Sophia is worried about putting me in a bad position with Nathan and his former bang-buddy? How about Sophia marrying my ex-husband and then making me her maid of honor?

The problem is I’m more upset about one incident than the other.

“It’s okay.” I suck in a long breath and stand tall.

“Really? I mean, this is awkward.”

“This is my life.” I laugh manically because there’s no other reaction that will do.

This entire trip has been a circus. My life is a circus, complete with an oversexed mom, a fake boyfriend, Freddie the freak show, a crazy ex-husband, random coffins, unicorn masks, and my monster-sized beef sandwich on wheels.

“He loves you,” Sophia says.

If she only knew how off her assessment is. Though Nathan and I had some very fun detours, this was always a charade. Except Sophia wasn’t the only one to fall for it—I did too.

I fell for him.

“It doesn’t faze me.” I lie to myself and harken back to Nathan’s sage life-coaching advice. I must act like seeing him with another woman doesn’t matter, like my heart didn’t implode with jealousy.

Not because he’s doing something wrong . . . he’s not. It’s because seeing them together reminded me of something important. I could never be like Natasha, the younger, pulled-together type. I’ll always be a divorced, anxious, hot-mess mom, and the same crazed woman he found half-naked in an elevator only days ago.

“Let’s get back to the party.” I smile brightly, though the tears in my eyes betray me.

Sophia hugs me and then nods, even though she doesn’t look convinced. She guides me toward the bar, but along the way, someone tugs her into a conversation. When she stops to talk, I keep moving.

Alone, I make my way toward Nathan and Natasha. Oh God. Their names even sound the same.

From a server’s tray, I grab a Mai Tai and take a sip for liquid courage. The alcohol burns, causing me to cough. I set it aside and keep moving, focused on Nathan’s face.

He’s in slow motion like a movie. He’s smiling at Natasha with that special gleam in his eyes, one I thought was just for me. Instead, I realize he probably gives this look to all his ladies, probably his entire wolf pack of ladies. I was one of many. Nothing special.

“Jeanie!” Roman calls from somewhere in the crowd.

I falter when I hear my name.

Nathan’s attention turns in the direction of the voice too. Then he spots me.

It’s probably written on my face. I know who Natasha is to him, not only his agent but some ex-lover. The problem is, Nathan looks guilty.

I hate that the most because I remember that look. Roman’s given it to me a thousand times, and on the few times I saw him, so did my father. The look says I’m about to let you down, and everything we did means nothing.

Before now, I always fought for those I cared about, even when the sentiment wasn’t returned. Heck, that’s the entire reason I’m here crashing Roman’s wedding.

I learned the behavior from chasing my father. It was its own form of abuse and conditioning. He kept me on a string until there was nothing left to give. Before our divorce, Roman was the same way.

Could Nathan be capable of doing that too?