Page 76 of The Hero + Vegas = No Regrets

I sigh. She doesn’t have to do it by herself, doesn’t she see? Accepting support doesn’t make you weak—just gives you a soft place to land if you fall.

“I don’t want to be with you just because you’re great at helping people through difficult times.”

“That’s what partnership is,” I mutter. But it’s futile to argue—I can’t force her to stay when what she wants to do is leave.

“In the long run, you’re right. Partnership should mean helping each other through the lows and celebrating the highs.But we’re just starting out. I can’t offer you what you need at the moment.”

“So, that’s it?” I ask.

She stands. My legs are so weak, I’m not sure I’ll be able to get to my feet.

She eyes the papers on the table next to me. It’s like someone has stuck a knife into me and I’m waiting for my brain to receive the pain signals. My entire body goes numb. She pulls a pen from her purse and turns to the final page, where the signature blocks are located. “I can’t be with you when things are so undone. When my life is so… when I don’t know who I am. I’m sorry.”

She signs next to her name and pushes the pen back into her purse.

It feels like someone has ripped out my guts. I’ve lost any ability to move or speak.

I keep my gaze forward, not able to look her in the eye, concerned I’ll disintegrate if I do. What if I find indifference there? What if I find pity? I don’t think I’d recover.

“I’m going to go,” she whispers. “I’m really sorry, Worth.”

I don’t know if she says anything else, because I can’t hear it. Something inside me blocks the rest of the world out, Sophia included. Maybe it’s a survival instinct, or maybe this is what happens when you have your heart broken for the first time.

TWENTY-SEVEN

Worth

Thank god Monday night drinks have been switched to Friday. I need my friends. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt the need so acutely, but Sophia, and now the lack of her, has changed everything.

We’re all meeting at a private members’ club on East Sixtieth. It attracts the oldest of old money, which is why Jack is the only one of us who has a membership. This is the club we’ve all been coming to longest. The familiar wood-paneled walls are like a balm to my soul tonight. I need to be reassured that my foundations are still solid. For now.

I walk into the bar and see Bennett right away. To my surprise, Byron is sitting right next to him. I wasn’t expecting to see him tonight.

We greet each other, and I order a drink before taking a seat around the low polished table.

Bennett looks at me, then back at Byron, then does a double take and stares at me. “Everything okay?”

I nod and take a sip of my drink.

His gaze doesn’t leave me. I look at Byron, pretending I don’t notice.

“Wasn’t expecting to see you, Byron,” I say, trying to redirect Bennett’s attention. I don’t need to spend the evening talking about myself. I just want to be around people I can count on.

“Flew in this morning,” he replies.

“From Acapulco?” Bennett makes air quotes, like he doesn’t believe for a second that Byron’s been in Mexico.

“Colorado actually,” Byron says.

I’m surprised he’s actually told Bennett the truth. I don’t know why, but Byron has been keeping this latest project close to the chest. He was raised in Colorado, which I suspect has something to do with how mysterious this project has been, though I can’t figure out why.

“Really?” Bennett asks. “Everything okay with your parents?”

“Yeah, they’re fine. I actually have some business there.”

“What kind of business?”

Byron nods as if he’s considering Bennett’s question and whether to answer it. “I’ve invested in a resort.” He glances around the room. I’m not sure if he’s hoping the ceiling will collapse to stop Bennett’s questions or whether he’s trying to gauge the ceiling height. He’s acting… off. “I want to tell you about it. It’s going to be announced this week.”

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