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“Damn right I am!” she said cheerfully. She held her hand out, and Craig shook it.
“Pleasure to meet you. Any friend of Josie’s is a friend of mine.”
I’d known Craig for years. In fact, his father, Henrick, was the one who had given me the big break. Craig came and went from the studio where I played Cassie Herrington. But it was only in the last year that we’d really gotten to know each other.
We’d hit it off, and I’d let him pull me into his orbit like a runaway train. Craig was rich, rich in a way that I hardly even comprehended. And it wasn’t like I had grown up poor or didn’t have millions from my years on Academy. But he treated wealth like something else entirely. And he had drawn me in like a moth to a flame.
Not that I’d fallen for him because of his money. Far from it. I’d been uncomfortable with the displays at first until I got to know the man underneath the wealth. He was charming, sweet, considerate. He wasn’t a Southern gentleman, pulling out chairs and opening doors, but he had this aura about him that made people do things for him. So, I was always taken care of.
Marley and Craig talked animatedly for a while before she went back across the room to Maddox. My eyes followed her, and I frowned when I realized there was someone else with him. And I recognized her from his profile online—Teena.
I found it hard to believe that they were dating almost four years later … and he hadn’t proposed. I’d hidden his profile, but still, I was sure that Mars would have mentioned it.
Maddox looked up then, and our eyes connected across the ballroom. His girlfriend next to him. My fiancé next to me. And still, we were the only two people in the room.
“Honey?” Craig said, breaking my concentration.
I dropped Maddox’s gaze and turned away. “Hmm? Sorry.”
“My father wants to introduce us to some friends of his.”
“Oh, of course,” I said.
I promised to put Maddox Nelson out of my mind and enjoy the rest of the night. Just because we had history didn’t mean it had to ruin my night. I was here with my wonderful fiancé, and that was what mattered.
I’d gotten an honorary plaque that the festival promised to mail to me, and now, the night felt over. But everyone wanted more of my time, and drinks were still flowing. Craig had disappeared to have cigars with some friends. I was currently regretting drinking one too many drinks and wondering if I could get out of this conversation, find him, and leave. But I didn’t even know where he had gone off to.
“Hey,” Marley said, sliding in next to me. “I’m going to head out.”
“Already?”
“It’s late,” she reminded me.
“Can I come with you?” I joked.
She giggled. “And disappoint your many adoring fans?”
“Nah, these people all think I’m beneath them because I sold out and went mainstream.”
Marley nearly choked. “That’s ridiculous.”
“Showbiz.”
“Well, I think you’re fabulous.”
“Thanks. I’ll miss you. Hang out again soon?”
“Anytime.” Marley squeezed my hand. “You should talk to him.”
I blinked at her. “Who?”
She gave me a knowing look. “Josie.”
“Oh,” I whispered, glancing down at my empty drink. “Maddox, you mean.”
“What do I know? I’ve only had one relationship, and it was a mess. But he’s my brother, and you’re always going to be in each other’s world.”
“I know we are.”
“And I hate this back-and-forth.”
I laughed. “Do it for you, you mean?”
“Would you?” she asked with a grin.
“Fine. Yes. I’ll be cordial. I don’t know where the fuck Craig went anyway.”
“Thank you. He headed that way,” Marley said, pointing to an adjoining room. “Let me know how it goes.”
I nodded and watched her walk away. I wished that I could do the same. As much as I wanted to see Maddox, everything about it was complicated. Especially since his girlfriend and my fiancé were both here. Craig hadn’t noticed that Maddox and I had been sneaking glances at each other all night, avoiding each other’s orbit. I didn’t know if his girlfriend had either. For his sake, I hoped not.
With a deep breath, I made my excuses to everyone around me and headed toward the other room. As I reached the entrance, I could hear raised voices on the other side.
“She’s engaged again, and you’re still waiting for her to come back!” a woman practically yelled.
“That is not …” Maddox’s voice was unmistakable.
My feet stilled just before the entrance to the room. Were they talking about … me?
“It is!” she yelled. “You’ve been tracking her all fucking night, Maddox. I know you well enough for that. We’ve been together almost four years.”
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Teena. I’m here with you.”
She laughed, and it was a train running off the tracks. “And I’m the idiot who’s been waiting for you to see that I’m right in front of you.”
