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“Take our number, we’d love to meet her if she’s anything like you.” Scott winked and I could almost feel Cian’s jealousy seeping through the earpiece.
“She’s pretty great. I’ll pass it on.” I excused myself and worked my way around the room.
Ryzen snagged me again soon after and introduced me to more and more people. It was honestly exhausting walking around with a fake smile for so long. But my prize was waiting for me, and the faster I got this over with, the faster I would get home to him.
My stomach growled, and I walked over and grabbed a piece of toast with goat cheese, grapes and honey. I moaned as I swallowed it down, grabbing three more and stuffing my face before anyone could see me. I pulled out my phone and casually took a video of the people in the room, and stopped in my tracks when I turned around the corner.
Iva Covington.
That little sneaky liar was sitting on a chaise lounge, talking with an older gentleman. Her eyes caught mine, and she waved her hand, signaling me to come over.
My hands trembled as I gripped my champagne flute. I felt like I could snap it in half at that moment. I plastered a smile on my face and walked over.
“Nova, you’re a sight for sore eyes. Get over here, girl.” She stood and hugged me. Her breath reeked of alcohol and I quirked my eyebrow. She was a giggling mess. Was she drunk already? This ought to be interesting. She grabbed my champagne and chugged it, waving a waiter over. She grabbed two glasses of red wine, handed me one. “Sit, let’s catch up.”
Yeah, let’s do that, you snake.
She patted the edge of the chaise, and I sat down next to her, taking a sip of my wine.
“I’m surprised to see you here after”—she looked around the room—“you ran off at your own wedding. Not a good look, honey, not at all.” She clucked her tongue, and I imagined reaching over and strangling her with that stupid silk shawl she had over her shoulders.
“Yeah, well, what can I say?” I laughed, shrugging my shoulders. Ryzen was watching us, and I waved at him. I decided to take a page from her book. “I just couldn’t stay away from Ryzen. He’s so…”
“Vile. Disgusting. A pig?” Cian offered in my ear.
“He’s just been so great. And the sex!” I placed my hand on her knee. “Girl, when I tell you that he has me screaming all night, every night… he’s an animal.”
Her face reddened and I took a sip of my wine, hiding my smile.
“I’m going to spank your ass red the next time I see you,” Cian growled, and I giggled softly.
“You, uh, you guys are intimate?” She tilted her head to the side, and I scrunched up my nose.
“Of course, we’re engaged.” I snickered and rolled my eyes slightly.
She turned her head towards him, her nostrils flaring. I wondered what Ryzen had been telling her. Probably that he wanted nothing to do with me, that he only had eyes for her. Her reaction was everything I had hoped it would be.
“We just saw your grandparents not too long ago. It was so nice to see them. I’ll be happy when this whole hotel business is done with, so I can spend more quality time with Ryzen.” I sighed happily and glanced at him. “He sure is something.”
“Yeah.” Her voice was low, bitter. “He sure is.”
“Oh, look at the time, I should get back to my man.” I stood and held my arms out to give her a hug. She looked surprised, but reached up, and just as she did, my wine glass slipped and fell into her lap.
“Oh, no!” I covered my mouth. “Iva, I’m so sorry, how clumsy of me.”
Her jaw fell to the floor as the wine dripped down all over her dress. She grunted in anger and stood, the liquid running down her legs and into her heels.
“Oh, honey, let me see if the housekeeper has something you can borrow while we get that out.” I reached for the napkin and dabbed at the stain.
She stepped away and narrowed her eyes at me. Something told me I might not have been as good as an actress as I had thought. Because the look she gave me said she knewexactlywhat I had just done. I scrunched up my nose and shrugged my shoulders as she stormed off, the people standing around giving me a peculiar look.
“What happened?” Cian asked.
“Oh, nothing, just spilled my wine all over her. An accident, of course.”
“Of course.” He let out a throaty laugh.
Ryzen headed over in my direction with a small plate of food. “Everything OK?” he asked, handing me the plate.
