Page 100 of Delicate Storm

“I was busy.”

“I would have accepted that excuse for the first half of the night. But after the speeches, you were on the dance floor like the rest of us. And you iced him out.”

“What?” I huff out a laugh. “I don’t ice people out.”

“Okay, you didn’t do that, but you gave him nothing. Which left me wondering… Who’s the guy?”

“What?” I try my hardest to remember, but for the life of me, I’m drawing a blank. “I honestly have no idea who you’re talking about.”Was I really that oblivious to someone following me around?

“I meant… Who’s the guy occupying your mind?”

Oh.Dammit. “No one.”That I can tell you about.“I guess that because I haven’t been looking for anyone since my breakup with Christian, I didn’t realize anyone was there.”

“Hmm, okay. I’ll believe you for now. But we need to change that thought process. You can look for something that isn’t serious. Have some fun. But I will warn you, sometimes that leads to something more serious. Like when I told Amelia tosleep with the hot football player and she ended up pregnant and married.”

“That’s not going to be me. Moving on.”

Hayley laughs. “Okay. Were you serious about me being your date to your next charity event?”

“I was.” I almost squeal. “Are you saying yes?” Hayley and I got to talking after the ball finished the other night, and I mentioned I needed a plus-one for the event I’m hosting in a few weeks. It’s the same foundation I helped back in New York, so I wanted to continue supporting them.

Hayley had said she’d check dates when she got home, and I’d completely forgotten about it. I would have loved to invite Easton. But for one, it’s public, and two, it’s definitelynothis thing. I’m actually surprised he came to the team event—grateful and satisfied—but surprised.

“You bet your ass I’m saying yes,” Hayley cuts into my thoughts. “You, Paigey, know how to put on an event.”

“I wasn’t as involved in the one coming up, but I think it will still be fun.”

“We’ll make it fun.”

I know she will—that's why I invited her. I can’t imagine she’d ever let things get boring, and we get along well. She doesn’t take life too seriously and I like that.

“Just tell me the details and I’ll be there.”

“Thanks, Hayley.”

“Don’t thank me. I should be thanking you. Open bar, hot men, a night of dancing. I can’t wait.”

We chat for a few more minutes and then she’s called away by one of the production assistants.

I’m in my head, imagining what life would be like as an actress when an alert goes off on my phone, making me freeze as I reach the front of my building. That annoying little chime means my name has been mentioned in the media, and while I’d loveto think it has something to do with the Storm event, I have a feeling I’m not going to be that lucky.

Reluctantly, I check my phone, my breath caught in my throat.

New details have emerged surrounding billionaire Christian Mikkleson’s relationship with socialite and new heir to the San Francisco Storm football team, Paige D’Angelo.

Goddammit.

Sources say the two shared a sordid relationship of games and blackmail that often included other people. A friend close to the pair said the games started off as a bit of fun but Christian was left heartbroken after Paige took things too far. The ex-couple are yet to comment.

Yet to comment? No one fucking asked me.

I want to throw my phone but clench it tightly in my hand knowing my whole life is on this damn thing. And I know better than to shoot the messenger, even if it is a device.

Who the hell is my so-called “friend” and if he or shewasa friend, why throw me under the bus like that? I never hurt Christian. He’s engaged, for God’s sake. He’sfine.

Needing to get to the bottom of this, I call the man himself, and he answers immediately, groaning by way of a hello.

It’s safe to say he saw it too.

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