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The security desk has been converted into a bar for the evening. Waiters walk between the guests, offering them finger foods.
I glance around the room, and I spot Carter where he’s talking to two other men.
A waiter approaches me, offering me a glass of champagne. I’m careful not to bump the other glasses over, as I take one from his tray.
“Thank you.” I walk to the side where I’ll have a better view of the room and out of the way of other guests still arriving.
I’m halfway with my glass of champagne when the elevators directly across from me open. Marcus steps out, and for a moment I forget to breathe. He looks devastatingly handsome in a black suit.
Then I see the brunette behind him. She’s fixing her lipstick in the elevator's mirror.
My eyes dart from Marcus to the brunette as she steps out and stops at his side. An uneasy feeling slithers down my spine as he smiles at her. She says something to him which makes him laugh before they go their separate ways.
Oh no. They were together.
Of course, they were. Marcus is handsome, and the woman is beautiful. Why wouldn’t they be attracted to each other?
I down the rest of the champagne and take advantage of the waiter passing me by to swap the empty glass for a full one.
I’m going to need liquid courage to get through tonight.
My eyes follow Marcus until I lose him in a crowd of people. I decide to search for the brunette, instead. I find her on the other side of the room laughing at something.
When someone takes hold of my arm, I have such a fright, I almost spill champagne on myself.
My eyes dart to my left, and it’s just in time to see Marcus leaning into me. I freeze as he presses a kiss to my cheek.
“You look beautiful,” he whispers, and if I didn’t just see him with another woman, I would have been flattered.
Instead, hurt and anger whirls in my chest. The first time Marcus kisses me, even if it’s on the cheek, and it has to be right after he had his mouth all over the brunette.
I pull my arm free and look at the people standing nearby while I try to calm myself.
“Thank you. It looks like the launch is a success,” I say, doing my best to sound normal. I really have no reason to be angry. He’s just my friend.
“Yeah, Carter is happy. Which means the rest of us are happy. Have you seen Jaxson?”
“No, only Carter. I haven’t greeted him yet.”
I walk away from Marcus, needing a few seconds to compose myself.
Chapter 10
MARCUS
Something is very wrong. Willow has been distant all night, and she’s drinking one glass after the other.
She laughs at something Rhett says, which brings my attention back to the conversation.
She places her hand on my arm. “You know Marcus is a player too. He could join you.”
What the hell? I’m confused as I watch Willow finish yet another glass.
“Join Rhett?”
“Yeah,” she smiles up at me, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Rhett said there’s plenty of hot women here tonight to choose from.” She grabs another glass from a passing waiter and turns back to Rhett and me. “I wonder who’s the biggest player between the two of you.” I frown at her, which only makes her laugh. “Don’t worry, Pretty-Boy. My money’s on you. I’m sure you can fuck half the women here before Rhett convinces one to go home with him.”
I take the glass from Willow’s hand and pass it to Rhett, giving him an apologetic look. Grabbing her hand, I pull her towards the elevators so I can get her to my office before she embarrasses both of us. When she stumbles, I place my arm around her waist to keep her from falling flat on her face.
