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“What do you think?”
Lourde and Mother had left their seats to get a better look at the millions of dollars shining back from the tray.
“You’ve outdone yourself, Alfred.” The Duke clinked his crystal tumbler together with Alfred’s, toasting to the future partnership between two powerful families. “Royalty and media empire… powerful, lasting, and life-changing.”
While their charade was going on, I slid my phone out of my pocket. An unread text from Pepper appeared and stirred me.
Pepper:You crushed it today at the press conference… hope all is going well tonight… I met with Jake today.
Immediately, I thumbed out a reply, eager to know what happened with her ex.
Connor:And he wants you back, right?
Three dots appeared almost immediately, and I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
Pepper:Yes.
Yes? That’s it? Did they kiss? Did they fuck?
Heat clawed underneath my collar at the thought of Jake’s hands on her body.
Connor:Did you fuck him?
My mouth went dry, staring at the screen as I waited for her to reply.
Pepper:No… and what does that have to do with anything?
Immediately, my blood pressure simmered back down.
Connor:No sex. You’re starting again. You want to make him beg for you.
Pepper:He might not stay around then…
Connor:Trust me, he will.
“Connor? What are you doing?” I looked up to find Francesca staring back at me. Lourde and my mother were firing bullets at me.
“Sorry, work.” I slid the phone into my pocket and focused on the tray of rings. “That one,” I said, pointing to a random diamond ring that could rival the GDP of a small country.
Francesca stared at where I was pointing, and the attention was instantly off me. “Oh, yes,” she exclaimed.
Barrett leaned closer. “Work must be fun with that smile.”
A nervous laugh escaped my mouth. Lourde peered up and took me in, narrowing her eyes at me, then at Barrett.
I shrugged, then returned my attention to my bride-to-be. She held up her hand, and the disco ball on her bony manicured fingers sparkled back at me.
“Thank you, Connor!”
“Sure.” I checked my watch, wondering how much longer I needed to be here.
“Connor? Lourde?” Francesca asked.
I looked up from my watch.
“I want to meet your friends. You looked so close at the ball the other night.”
“Of course!” Lourde acquiesced. “I’ll organize a dinner.”
