Page 57 of Tangled in Temptation

“Are you sure?” he asked. “That woman has a way of popping up. It’s like whack-a-mole.”

“More like a bad penny.” I agreed, finishing off my scotch. “But this time it’s different. I’ve got leverage.”

“Oh?” Bennet raised his brows, sparking an interest. His usual devil-may-care attitude slipped for a moment to reveal the sharp mind beneath.

“Let’s just say Regina is on the prowl. Once I pass her off, I’m free.”

“Seems like you tried that once before,” he reminded me.

“True, but the way I figure it, she meets a guy here, marries him, and they’ll be together at least a year, right? I’m figuring I’ll get about two years of peace out of this one night. Paisley is fifteen. I only have to try and stick this out for a couple of years. By the time Paisley is seventeen, she might be able to graduate. She’ll be out from under her mother’s control. Once Paisley is free, I’m free.”

Bennet nodded, following my gaze over to where Regina was now. She was draped over a man who looked like wealth incarnate—tailor-made tuxedo, a Rolex peeking out from under his cufflinks, and the innate, unshakeable confidence of one who knew he had the world in the palm of his hand. This was right up Regina’s alley. The fact he looked to be pushing seventy was even better for her. She might be willing to stick out a marriage long enough for the guy to die of natural causes.

“Then I hope for your sake this guy is as hooked as he looks,” Bennet said, tipping his champagne flute in their direction.

“I don’t just hope,” I replied, lowering my voice so only he could hear me. “I need it.”

Bennet swirled his champagne, his gaze still on Regina, before finally turning back to face me. “For Paisley’s sake,” he said, understanding dawning in his eyes. “And for Catherine,” he added after a moment, shooting me a knowing look.

I simply nodded, swallowing around the lump that had formed in my throat at the mention of her name. Catherine deserved better than this mess I’d found myself in, better than a man with an ex-wife like Regina and a daughter caught in the middle of it all.

“You really care about her, don’t you?” Bennet asked.

“I do, but I don’t know if that matters,” I said.

Just then, a commotion below caught my attention, drawing my gaze downward. People were parting like the Red Sea, making way for a vision in red. At first, I hardly recognized her, but as realization dawned, my heart seemed to stop.

Catherine.

Bennet elbowed me without saying a word, like he wasn’t sure I was seeing what everyone else was seeing.

She descended the staircase, a goddess among mortals, her figure accentuated by the curve-hugging dress she wore. Her hair was pulled up, revealing her slender, beautiful neck. I had never seen her look so stunning.

“I have to go,” I said.

“Go,” Bennet chuckled. “The lady in red is waiting for you.”

I pushed through the crowd, making my way toward her. My heart was in my throat. I couldn’t believe she was here. I was thrilled to see her, but just as terrified. I had completely forgotten about the dress. I’d assumed she wasn’t going to come with me after the way things had ended between us. I would have called.

I managed to make my way through the crowd and stood in front of her. I was speechless.

“You’re here,” I said.

“I’m here.”

“I didn’t think you would come,” I said.

“I didn’t think you wanted me to.” She smiled.

“I did. I do. You look beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

Before I could make a move, before I could even process the tumult of emotions swirling within me, a hand wrapped around my wrist with a grip that bordered on possessive.

Regina.

She stepped up beside me like she owned me. “Well, what do we have here?” Regina cooed. “Betty, I wasn’t aware you were an invited guest.”