Ordidshe?
Because come to think of it, Ford seemed to be leaning into Claudia’s flirtations, enjoying their little reunion way too much. Did he really not notice how manipulative his ex was being, how she was practically draping herself all over him, or was he simply not over her like I had thought he was? Or was this all some ploy to make me jealous?
Well. If it was, it was working—but I’d never admit to Ford that I was indeed jealous of Claudia. And I could certainly be outwardly pissed about the optics.
I’d just have to give him as much of a cold shoulder as he was giving me.
Which meant, unfortunately, that I was stuck listening to the two of them reminisce about the glory days of their past while I tried to focus on choosing a venue and ignoring them.
The rest of our tours for the day dragged on similarly (if not worse), with me trailing along behind Claudia and Ford and not even trying to engage.
Ultimately, over a painfully unhurried dinner at Shanghai Terrace (Claudia was a member of the Peninsula Hotel’s exclusive Supper Club, of course, so she secured us a table on the spot—and then ordered for all of us in obnoxiously perfect Mandarin), I agreed that the Four Seasons had the best ambiance and setup for the size of our event.
Dinner concluded, venue chosen, we finally said our goodbyes in the opulent cream and gold lobby of the Peninsula. I was already counting down the minutes until Ford and I could be alone again.
But of course, Claudia wouldn’t stop talking.
She was getting Ford up to speed on all the latest gossip and goings-on of a bunch of their old friends, including a couple of those mean girls who had bullied me back in the day.
“Speaking of which!” she crowed, her big blue eyes lighting up. “Did you know it’s Roxana’s birthday?”
“Today?” Ford asked. “No way! I haven’t seen her since that ski trip we all took a few years back.”
“Aspen,” Claudia said with a grin. “I know. And yeah, everyone’s getting together at the Cubby Bear tonight. We should totally stop by. They’d love to see you.”
I looked at my watch pointedly. “I’d actually rather not—”
“I’d love that!” Ford said, drowning me out. “I’ll drive. Em?”
Nope. I’d had enough.
“You two go ahead,” I said. “I’m sure you’ll have a great time.”
“Are you sure?” Ford asked, hesitating for the first time all day.
“Honestly—” I started.
“Of course she’s sure!” Claudia chirped happily. “She’s an independent woman who can make her own decisions, isn’t that right, Emzee?”
Like I could possibly argue with that. “Um, yeah.”
Claudia looked triumphant. “See? You have to let her do her own thing, Ford.”
Gritting my teeth, I realized I had just given her exactly what she wanted.
“Where did you park?” Claudia was asking, already looping her arm through my husband’s and leading him toward the doors.
“Later,” I muttered with a half wave.
Slumping into a chair, I watched them walk away. I couldn’t believe this was happening. That I was letting Ford go off into the night with my nemesis.
There was only one thing to do now.
I took out my phone and dialed my brother.
“Stefan,” I said when he picked up. “Can you send a car for me?”
Ford
