Page 54 of Entwined

I SHOULDN’T HAVE COME.

He’s here with someone else. The woman who he refers to as the head of his PR in the press. But seeing them in person tells a different story. The warmth in her eyes, every time she gazes up at him, is a knife in me.

She adores him.

It’s all over her face.

And the way he smiles as he gazes down at her, crushes me.

He never looked at me like that. With pure joy and admiration.

My shoulders slump as I hide in the corner, not able to tear my gaze away, even though this form of self-torture hurts more than anything he did to me.

I know he never loved Fiona. But this woman… I’m not so sure.

He senses my stare. Feels it. I’m a stalker, obsessed with the object of my affection. His eyes flare. But I can tell he’s not completely sure if it’s me. After all it’s been nine months. Nine long months of lonely nights. And now he’s here in the flesh. I feel as if I’m dreaming. I yearned to see him so badly and wondered if I ever would again. But he’s changed. His shoulders aren’t as tense. His smile isn’t forced. His face is mostly hidden by the mask he wears, but I’d know him anywhere.

I turn away, before I embarrass myself, flinging myself at him in front of a crowd of hundreds to ask him if he still loves me.

“Go! Here’s your big chance. Take it.”

“I can’t.” I turn to Jecca. “He’s clearly with her.”

“So? We’re in Paris. And I know half the men here have more than one lover.”

“That’s not my style. I tried that once before. I ended up with a broken heart.”

“You dirty girl. What other secrets are you hiding, I wonder?” She hooks her arm through mine and takes a glass of champagne from a tray.

“Plenty. But nothing I’ll ever tell anybody.”

“You don’t have many girlfriends, do you?”

“No. I was a tomboy growing up. In many ways I still am.”

“I know.” She rolls her eyes. “But that’s why you have me as your flat mate. I’ve always wanted to make you over.”

I look down at my hunter green velvet ball gown that matches the mask covering my face. “I’d never wear a gown like this in a million years.”

“I know. Just wait and see what I picked out for the after party.”

“I’m not feeling well. I’m sorry but I won’t make it.” The lie falls easily from my lips as the woman laughs at something Christos whispers against her hair. Jecca takes the glass of champagne from my hand right when I need to down all of it.

“You’re going. There will be a ton of rich, eligible punters there. My father is a perv. He thinks I don’t know what he does.”

“What does he do?” I turn away from Christos.

“He’s into dirty sex. He’s part of an underground sex club. I wouldn’t care so much, but it kills mum. I want to catch him tonight. And you are going to help me.”

A pit forms in my stomach. “No, Jecca. You have no idea what goes on at those kinds of parties.”

“And you do?”

“Yes.” I swallow hard.

“I knew it. I knew there was more to you than the brainy, studious American who smells like horses all the time.”

“Just let it go. Trust me. You don’t want to see your father at something like that.”

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