AllFreeNovel
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She hides herself from the world. And I’m the lucky bastard who’s been given the chance to see the real her. The beautiful woman who lives just beneath the surface. The one I’ve dedicated my life to.
And it’s because of that dedication that I’m standing on the lawn outside a lavish outdoor banquet with my arms wrapped around another woman.
“This place is so beautiful,” Grace says, her violet eyes dancing as she soaks in every detail of the event before us. For the past few weeks, I’ve taken Grace out to work events, just as Cat asked. It’s a win-win. Garreth wants the contract with Sintac, and Grace is flawless when it comes to dealing with wealthy donors.
But something has changed with Cat since I last held her in my arms. The fire in her eyes is gone. She’s stopped fighting with me. She’s stopped fighting in general. Maybe it’s because Cash is still hung up on Grace.
I get that.
The woman at my side is a reminder of a time she’d like to forget. Hell, I’d love to forget it as well.
But since I can’t erase the past, the only thing I can do is break up Cash and Grace like Cat asked so that this reminder of our past isn’t thrust in her face for the rest of her life.
Which is why we’re here. In about ten seconds, Cash James is going to walk into the event, and when he sees Grace here with me, when he sees her helping me win over the contract he’s been after for months, he’s going to lose his mind.
Do I want to hurt the two of them? Absolutely not. But the only person I’ve ever cared for matters more. Everything I do is for Cat, even if she’ll never let me back into her life.
“Not as beautiful as you.” I give Grace a cheeky smile.
She rolls her eyes and smacks my chest. It’s not a lie. Grace is gorgeous. She’s wearing a purple dress that accentuates the color of her eyes. The high slit in the fabric could make a grown man cry. Just notthisgrown man.
Jazz music floats around the garden, and the moon reflecting off the surface of the ocean behind the lavish tent creates a perfect backdrop. Men are dressed in tuxes, myself included, and the women are all trying to avoid sinking into the grass while wearing their stilettos and long gowns.
The things people with money do for a good time.
A server stops by with a tray of champagne, and while I offer one to Grace, I request a glass of whiskey for myself.
“What’s the purpose of tonight’s event?” Grace asks, surveying the garden.
“We’ve been working to partner with Mr. Landry. He owns a business here in Bristol, and this event raises money for the local schools. Seemed appropriate to support it.”
She nods and brings her drink to her lips. It’s at that moment that she spots Cash. She gasps, then coughs as the champagne goes down the wrong way. As the niggle of guilt I’ve been carrying with me grows a little, I grab her glass and rub her back.
Fuck, this is hard.
I look up, expecting to find Cash’s hard eyes on me, but instead, I practically mimic Grace and suck in a sharp breath when my attention lands on Catherine. She’s a dream in black chiffon that swirls around her. Our eyes lock the moment she steps onto the grass. Then her focus drops to where my arm is locked around Grace, and she pulls her plump red lip between her teeth.
Fuck.
The pain that flashes through her eyes hits me like a knife to the chest. She shouldn’t have to witness this. But, as usual, I’m not in control of the script. Surely, whoever is pulling our strings is laughing from above.
* * *
Cash and Catherinearen’t the only Jameses here, and it looks as though Cat is the only one who didn’t bring a date. Chase is working the crowd with a blonde at his side, and Carter holds on to Grace’s best friend Tessa possessively. I always liked her. All five feet two inches of her is hilarious.
Cash arrived with a woman I recognize on his arm. Beside me, Grace has gone rigid at the sight. Seeing her boyfriend with another woman has the knot in my gut loosening a bit. At least I know I was right to interfere in their relationship.
I was the one who introduced Grace to her husband, and since I learned of the asshole’s cheating, I’ve felt terrible. I should have known better. He was an ass back in college, but I thought he’d outgrown it. Guess I was wrong. She deserves better than men who find her easily replaceable.
What Grace deserves, what every woman deserves, is to have the love of someone whose world stops turning each and every time they see her.
That’s what Cat does to me.
The party is lively, and I fake one conversation after the next, chat with my brothers, and schmooze Mr. Landry, all while thinking of nothing and no one but her.
When Mr. Landry asks Grace to dance, I take the opportunity to try to get Cat’s attention. I just need five minutes alone with her to remind her of why we’re doing this. Why I’m even here with Grace.Because of her. Because she asked me to help.
Five minutes to remind her that she’s all that matters to me.
