Page 80 of Words We Didn't Say

I snorted a soft laugh. Eden had absolutely no need to be on a budget. I was now well-informed that the mountain of shoes stacked in her closet probably cost more than my car.

Lola relaxed into a wide smile all the same.

Chris stood as rigid as a rock.

Self-conscious, the air crackling with too much tension, I tugged at my bow tie. Were parties always like this? The networking event at the stadium had been better than whatever was happening in front of me now—and Eden had figuratively chopped my balls off that night.

“So, um…” I gulped. What the hell did I know about small talk? What the bloody hell was I doing? “Lola, are you still working at the general practice in—”

“Why don’t you ladies go get us some drinks?” Chris suggested.

Eden’s eyes slitted. She didn’t appreciate being snapped at to fetch a man his drink.

I jumped straight in and said, “There’s no need to—”

Eden stopped me with a touch to my elbow.

“Yes.” She pasted the fake smile back on her face. “Lola, why don’t we get thesemensome drinks?”

Lola’s gaze flickered to Chris, and he dipped his chin in a nod. Eden’s eyes rolled to the ceiling. She thought she’d masked it by turning around, but I’d seen it. When the two women strolled off for the bar, I batted away my paranoia that my boss’s eyes seemed to linger more on Eden than on his fiancée.

Chris raised one blond brow. “Eden Phillips?”

He knew her.

And Ihatedit.

Wary, I forced my voice to stay neutral when I asked, “You’ve met Eden before?”

“Very few rich men in this city haven’tmetEden before.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I didn’t take you for the type to chase after someone like her.”

I didn’t appreciate his condescending tone. “Eden’s a talented businesswoman and one of the most sought-after stylists in the country.” Every word was said with pride.

He snorted. “For more reasons than her skills with scissors.”

“Sir, the way you’re talking about Eden is entirely inappropriate—”

“Zach, you can do better. If she’s the reason your billings have dropped…” He shook his head. “You’re a top lawyer at one of the city’s most exclusive firms. Value your real estate higher. Do you really want to be number one hundred in the line?” He flicked a strand of hair off his forehead with calm indifference, but his eyes were on the other side of the room.

On Eden.

I despised the words he was saying. I hated how he seemed to think he could say that trash and still look at her with envyboiling through his blood.Personal lives stay personal?Not tonight. He’dmadethis personal.

“I don’t care if there were a thousand guys before me if she chooses me in the end,” I said. “A diamond’sstilla diamond.”

“Eden Phillips is one rough-cut fucking diamond. Zach, I understand you rose up the ranks from nothing. Chasing famous fluff is fine, but I shouldn’t have to remind you what you’re risking.”

“Eden’s worth—”

“We don’t want a repeat of what happened two years ago, do we?”

I stuffed my hands in my pockets. I couldn’t look at Chris, so I dropped my eyes to the floor. “It’s not like two years ago.”

“Partnership announcements are next month.”

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