Page 95 of Claim Me

“But before he dumped her, he begged me to take him back. And then I told her that.”

“And she was completely banned by Alexander for selling stories to the media.”

“Holy shit,” Sarah said, her eyes moving between two invisible points at her feet like we’d overloaded her brain.

“Sorry,” I said, clapping a hand over my mouth, “I probably shouldn’t have told you all that stuff, especially about your Dad.”

“I’m glad you did. That’s…” she couldn’t seem to come up with a word of appropriate magnitude.

“Mental?” Belle offered as we headed back to the party.

Sarah nodded. “To start with. Why did you invite her?”

“She’s your friend and this is your birthday.”

Sarah looked like she might start crying, so I pulled her into a hug. “By the way, we’re absolute shit at parties. I’m never throwing you another one.”

“Everything goes wrong,” Belle agreed.

“My wedding?” I said.

“Legendary,” Belle said. I shot her a look. “I didn’t mean that in a good way, but you know…”

“So I should have a good time?” We’d gotten Sarah to laugh, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Just because this night was turning into another failed party for the ages didn’t mean it should be the same for her.

“I, for one, would like to find my husband and make him dance with me,” Belle said devilishly, “and I’m pretty sure that every single guy down there is waiting to dance with you.”

We reached the gallery just as Anderson drifted into view wearing a black tuxedo. Sarah snorted and cocked her head in his direction. “Any more single guys that are also my half brothers? I’m little wary of flirting with strangers these days.”

“That’s the only one.” I stopped myself from adding that we know about. I didn’t want the poor girl to be perpetually single.

“Maybe we should go in another way,” I suggested, looking for a different entrance.

“That’s the only way that does not involve a ridiculous amount of stairs and walking,” Belle said flatly. “He’s not going to bite you.”

“But he wants to, right?” Sarah held up her hands when we glared at her. “I’m just trying to keep up. Sorry.”

“Don’t let him see me,” I told them as we strolled into the party.

“Sure,” Edward said slinging his arms around Belle’s and my shoulders. “No one will notice the three most beautiful women here walking back into the room. Excellent plan. Have you considered becoming a criminal mastermind?”

“I don’t want it to be a thing,” I explained.

He shook his head. “Then don’t let it be.”

Stepping in front of us, he held out a hand to his sister. “Fancy a dance? I can point out the available ones and steer you away from the gay ones.”

“Traitor,” I said as he guided her away.

“Oh, um, there’s Smith,” Belle said, biting her lip.

I sighed and shooed her away. Anders hadn’t spotted me, so I skirted the dance floor, searching for Alexander. I was about to give up and hunt down someone with an earpiece, who would definitely know where he was, when a strong hand caught my shoulder.

“There you are.”

I spun around with a smile, forgetting to account for my belly, which brushed against him.

Anderson grinned, his eyes finding the floor as he put distance between us. “I’m afraid that was my fault.”