Page 95 of Princes of Hollywood

She blushes and heads back to the house. My gaze tracks her until it collides and settles on Greer. Aiden talks to the couple across from them. When we’re not engaging with her, she becomes this shell. Her smile is perfectly fine, and she appears to everyone else like she’s engaged, but I know she’s not really there.

Something preoccupies my poppet’s mind. I want to know what it is, which surprises me. I’m not the kind of guy women turn to for deep and meaningful conversations. I definitely don’t sit around and wonder what they’re thinking about. Unless it’s sex—then I’m definitely interested.

But I’ve seen Greer when she’s overwhelmed and sad and when she’s afraid. Right now, I want to draw her onto my lap and make her come to life again. Whisper in her ear all the dirty things I want to do to her until her face is on fire and she tells me off for it.

“Who is the woman with Aiden?” Siobhan holds her fork in front of her lips, trying to be casual when she asks. Like she isn’t asking who her ex kissed.

This woman broke my friend.

I grin at her. “Curious?”

She chews delicately before acting like she’s just making conversation. “She’s pretty. And young.”

I hope it hurts.

Ah, is this the he left me for a younger woman schtick? Should I feel sympathy for the woman who dumped my friend? Yeah, that’s not happening.

“She’s new. Just found her.”

Wrinkles form around her mouth and eyes like she’s trying to process it internally, but it’s leaking out.

“Here’s your drink, Mr. Flynn.” The blond sets it down next to me. Her breast brushes against my arm. Intentionally. What did Aiden call her?

“Thank you, Claire.”

She perks up. Yeah, chicks like it when you remember their names. Aiden does it because he wants people to know he values them.

“Could you help me settle a bet?” I meet her brown eyes, which darken a little more.

She looks from me to Greyson and back. “Maybe?”

The guy next to Greyson pulls his attention away from us.

“See, Siobhan over there was married to Aiden, down there…What was it? Five years?”

“What are you doing, Roarke?” Siobhan leans forward and practically growls all while smiling. Siobhan doesn’t like her shit aired unless she’s in control of the narrative.

“Just asking for an outsider’s perspective.” I return my gaze to Claire. “See, they were married for five-ish years and then Siobhan wanted a divorce. Aiden didn’t see it coming, thought they were happy and all that, but then she just up and left him. Now that’s pretty crappy, but the tabloids did claim that Aiden was having an affair. So maybe she thought she was justified. Though if you know Aiden, you’d know he’d never fuck around on someone he’s loyal to, especially not his wife. So clearly, that was bullshit and everyone knew it.”

“What the hell is the poin—” Siobhan glares.

“Now, Siobhan.” I shake my head and give Siobhan a disappointed look. “I’m discussing this with my good friend, Claire.” I return to Claire’s widened, slightly panicked eyes. “That’s all backstory. But do you think Siobhan gets any say in who Aiden wants to kiss or even fuck? Now that they’ve been divorced…” I pretend to think it over in my head. “My, it’s been a year, and she shows up to his party with a new guy. That’s probably an important detail, too, don’t you think so, Claire?”

“Uh.”

I swear I see the moment poor Claire’s brain glitches as she ping-pongs between me and Siobhan. My gaze starts on Claire but ends on Siobhan. “Do you think Siobhan has any right to know anything about Aiden after she almost destroyed him?”

Siobhan’s lips press into a thin line, but she doesn’t say anything.

I turn to Claire. “Thank you, love, you’ve been great. Sorry to keep you.”

Her mouth opens and closes before she hurries off.

“You don’t have to be cruel. I did love him. I’ll always love him,” Siobhan whispers loudly across the table.

“Still doesn’t mean you’re part of his life anymore.” I take a bite of my dinner. “My job as best friend is to keep him happy. You don’t do that anymore. She does.”

I glance down the table and Greer comes to life again. Aiden engages her in some conversation. Good. My poppet only deserves the best. With us, she’ll get it. I’ll make sure of it.

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