Page 22 of Billionaire In Vegas

Chapter Six

I paced back and forth. I didn’t even know why I was pacing. I then started chewing on my lip and mumbling to myself.

“Lacey, are you okay?” asked Emmaline, staring at me funny.

“I’m fine. Perfect. Thanks.” I didn’t stop pacing.

“You need to sit down. You don’t look so good.”

“I’m fine. I just need to figure this out. Everything will be fine.” I didn’t believe my own words but I was desperately trying to not freak out. In fact, I was a second away from freaking out. Suddenly the room was spinning and I struggled to stay standing up as I felt hands assisting me into a sitting position.

“It’s okay, Lacey. We got you. Take a deep breath.”

I tried to do as they said, but I was gulping air in the midst of a full-blown panic attack. Married! I couldn’t be married! What was wrong with me?

I felt my friends pushing my head between my legs, telling me to breathe.

I focused on their words, gasping for air at first until finally, I was able to take a breath without feeling as if it were a challenge.

I slowly raised my head and looked at them. “I’m okay. Thanks. I was just—well, I don’t know—”

I tried to shrug it off and looked at my friends whose eyes were full of concern. I instantly felt embarrassed for losing it for a second. I had to get my emotions under control. I straightened my shoulders, stiffened my spine and declared, “I’m going to get an annulment. That’s clearly the only thing to do from here.”

Misha and Emmaline nodded silently.

“Okay. I’m going to go find Jude. I’m sure he’ll agree to it.”

Emmaline nodded in encouragement, but Misha for some reason looked doubtful.

“What?” I asked, not understanding her look.

She said with hesitation in her voice, “It’s just that he didn’t seem to be too upset by this whole issue. When he was here, he was so calm, he didn’t tell me why he was here, just that he wanted to speak to you, but I think he might actually be taking the news better than you...”

“So what are you saying?” My mind jumped to the most obvious conclusion. “You think he set this up? He did this on purpose?”

“What? No! I mean, I don’t know why he would. Why would he do something like that?”

I shook my head, “Yeah. I don’t know. I just—I’m not thinking right. I need to go to talk to him.” I stood up and promptly headed to the door when I realized I still wasn’t wearing much.

“I’ll change my clothes first.”

“Why are you wearing a sheet, by the way?” Emmaline asked, having only heard part of the story since she had woken up shortly after Jude left.

I opened my mouth and then closed it.

“I’ll catch Emmaline up on last night’s events, you get changed.”

I thanked Misha, trying to ignore the blush creeping up on my cheeks as Misha began explaining the whole sordid tale to Emmaline.

I hurriedly tossed a shirt and jeans on. I ran a hand through my hair and brushed my teeth. I splashed water on my face and gave myself a pep talk.

“You’re going to go over there and demand an annulment immediately. Don’t get distracted by his bedroom eyes. Or his sexy body. Or his beautiful smile. Or the way he smells, and his skin...” Oh God, I was in trouble.

With purpose in my steps, I strode past my friends, determined to expediently get done what needed to be done. I got on the elevator and realized that I had no clue where I was going. I turned to Hank who looked at me questioningly and said, “Hank, you wouldn’t happen to know what floor Jude Foster is on, would you? I swear I’m not trying to stalk him. I work for his dad and I—”

“No need to explain.” He selected a floor and we rode in awkward silence. I think I was the only one feeling awkward.

“Would you happen to know his room number?”