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“That’s the truth,” she says.
I excuse myself and head to the ladies’ room. I’m at the mirror reapplying my lipstick when the door opens and a blonde walks in.
Not just any blonde. The one from the theater. Marlena. Model perfect, looking like a goddess in a long black dress. She sees me and smiles, and I know it’s no accident that she happens to be in here when I am.
“How are you tonight, Samantha?” she asks, checking her reflection.
I glance at her out of the side of my eye and take a deep breath. “Well, thank you,” I say, and I can hear the stiffness in my own voice. “How are you?”
She flashes me a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “Lovely. I wanted to take a moment to thank you for taking such good care of Dante this month.” There’s a weird note to her words, a viciousness that doesn’t match the words themselves.
I don’t know what to say to that, so I stay silent. She turns to look at me.
“But I’m back now. And I’m all he really needs. I’ll take it from here.” She looks me up and down. “He won’t need your…services…anymore.” She flashes me another cold smile, wiggles her fingers at me, and walks out of the bathroom.
I feel like I’ve been punched in the stomach. She knows? Did Dante tell her about me and our arrangement?
And now, all at once, I feel like what I actually am: a paid escort. And of course, that’s all I am, right? He had the chance to tell me I was more.
But still. What the hell was her deal? Dante hasn’t said a word about her, ever. The only reason I know who she is is because of slimy Anton. I roll my eyes and check my reflection one more time before walking out of the bathroom.
I glance around and see that Dante is still huddled over in a corner with his father and brother, so I take my seat at LeeAnn and John’s table again. Someone walks onto the stage to test the mike on the podium, and conversation in the ballroom starts to die down. A few moments later, Marlena takes the stage, flashing a smile in the general direction of the audience, many of whom have now claimed seats at their tables. She rests her hands on the podium and waits for everyone to get settled.
“Thank you all for coming tonight. Not only will your generous donations make an impact on families and communities that need it, but I appreciate that you’re here to honor the good work of one of the best people I know.” She pauses, and her eyes flick over the crowd. It’s impossible to miss the way her gaze lands on me for just a moment.
“One of the best men I know. A model of generosity. And someone who, I have no doubt, will change the world for the better.” She lays out the general idea for his charity work, the same dream he told me about only a few nights ago. Ice settles into my stomach. She continues. “And it will be my honor to stand beside him through it all. Please welcome our guest this evening, my fiancé, Dante Knight.”
She turns, applauding, and the rest of the audience is clapping. Dante’s taking the stairs up to the stage, and then he’s kissing her cheek, but it feels like I’m watching it all from a million miles away.
Fiancé?
My heart feels like it’s being crushed, my stomach twists so hard I can barely breathe. I can’t breathe. I watch him, hoping for some sign he’s going to correct her or say that she’s joking…but no. He kisses her cheek and says a few quiet words to her, then steps up to the podium.
“Thank you, Marlena, for that lovely introduction,” he says.
No denial.
I stare at him.
Is this what she meant with the “I’ll take it from here” crack?
Well. I guess I know why he didn’t even mention the possibility of seeing me again.
A convenient fuck. A placeholder. That was all I was to him. I was never more, and like an absolute idiot, I let myself dream of forever, let myself think he had feelings for me.
It was never more than a business arrangement to him.
Oh, god.
I feel like I’m going to puke or cry or faint, and I refuse to do any of it in front of Dante and Marlena. I can’t stand another second sitting there, hearing his voice, seeing him, knowing what an idiot I’ve been. I excuse myself and make my way to the exit as quickly as I can, Dante still speaking behind me as tears sting my eyes and blur my vision.
I rush out into the lobby, fumbling for my phone. Call a cab. Get the hell out of here.
Of course, it’s just my luck that I nearly run straight into one of the last people I want to see just now. Anton is there, smiling down at me with this predatory gleam in his eyes.
“I tried to tell you, sweetness,” he says in a voice that I guess is supposed to be soothing and seductive, but just makes my skin crawl. “You don’t need him. I’d love to put you to work. Hell, I’ll even match Dante’s rate. The month’s up, right? So you’re free.” He reaches out and runs his fingertips down my arm, and I jerk away.
***
