Page 119 of You and Me, For Real
The crowd cheers.
“It’s time to get your booties back out here and dance!” Wren plays an upbeat rhythm and her band chimes in. The throng of people hovering near the stage begins swaying to the music.
Ashton’s focus darts to the back of the room, then to me, before slipping off stage.
My steps immediately turn in her direction, but I’m held firm.
Scarlet rasps in my ear, “You can’t go after her. Not right now. Everyone is watching.”
“I have to. She needs me.”
I ease out of her grasp and navigate through the crowd of people on the dance floor to cross the room. A figure steps in my way.
“Well, look who it is, the two lovebirds.”
I clench my jaw, hoping Jaxon gives me an excuse to punch him just so I can get him out of my way faster. Scarlet steps up beside me.
“I don’t have time for you right now,” I grit out.
He chuckles. “Oh, don’t I know it. Must be hard balancing two women. Then again, I’d do it too if I didn’t have the talent to earn my roles.”
“That’s it.” I step forward, fist clenched, arm raised.
Scarlet holds my arm back. “Stop it. He’s not worth it.”
My blood roars in my veins, my body a thousand degrees in this tux.
Jaxon brushes the lapel of his jacket. “Then again, maybe it’s not the role you’re after. Maybe you’re after an heiress and the Blake fortune.”
I press into his space, inches from his nose. “Don’t you ever spew such garbage to me again. You know nothing about me. Or Ashton.”
Crap.I just confirmed his suspicion of who Ashton really is.
He smirks. “Ah, but apparently I do. Don’t worry, Griffin. The whole world will know soon enough.” He takes a champagne glass from a passing waiter and tosses it back, then walks away, laughing.
What did I just do?
I push through the masses, frenzied in my need to get to Ashton. To ease her worries. To explain everything. To get to her before Jaxon or her mom does.
I exit a side door that leads toward the hallway by the kitchen, where Ashton should appear from backstage, my pulse racing.
Scarlet grips my arm, halting me in the empty hallway. “Griffin, wait.”
I clench my jaw and spin to face her. “Scarlet, I don’t want to be a jerk, but everything can’t be centered around you all the time.”
Her head ticks back, eyes wide, like I slapped her.
“I didn’t mean that.”
“I think you did. Makes sense now. Is that all I was to you? A needy charity case?
“What? No. Why would you say that?”
“Gosh, Griffin. Couldn’t you see it? I didn’t just agree to the contract. Imademy dad create the contract, because I thought if we went on some actual dates, you’d start to care for me!” She throws her hands up and lets them fall, clapping her bedazzled-clad thighs in a fitted sequin dress not at all fitting the regency style.
I blink, completely baffled.
Her face is flushed, and her eyes start to fill with tears. “Griffin, I love you.”
