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“No more lies,” he promises.
24
Irunmyhandsover the red ruched dress and eye my reflection. The fabric does an excellent job of concealing my growing belly. On the other hand, the draped collar accentuates my fuller breasts. My black hair has been styled into loose Hollywood waves. I’m applying lipstick when there is a knock at my door. My red lips pull into a satisfied smile at my reflection.
Emery stands on the other side of the door when I pull it open. Her gasp boosts my confidence. “Ray is going to be eating out of your hands tonight.”
I chuckle as I lead her into my home. “I doubt it. He’s been a misery since hearing about his birthday party.” I pop my studs in. “Thank you for organising it.”
She takes a seat on the armchair. “It’s no trouble at all. Let’s not tell him it was me,” she winks. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay. How are you?”
Something in how she looks at me makes it feel like she can see through me. Her doe eyes squint as she has a mental conversation with herself.
“Emery?”
“Has something happened in the office?” she asks. “Xavier has been different recently.”
My heart feels like it’s lodged in my throat. Guilt eats at me, knowing she’s sat in the room where her husband and I have betrayed her. This small home has been the setting for our tryst the past month. Sometimes, it’s in the morning when she thinks we’ve left for work. Other times, he’s snuck in during the middle of the night. On the days when we crave one another, we wait until Emery is out with her friends before he comes over.
It’s been stressful making sure Huxley and Xavier don’t run into one another. When I’m with Huxley, it feels right, but it still feels like a betrayal to Xavier, and vice versa. A large part of me knows what I’m doing is wrong, but are they any different from me? Both claim it’s more than sex, but neither are willing to step up.No one in this mess is clean. Not even Emery, who I can’t bear to face.
I can’t think of anything to say. I turn away and pretend I’m looking for my heels. “What do you mean?”
“Never mind. It’s probably just stress.” Her footsteps stop right behind me. She hands me the shoes. “Before you accept his love, make sure you know who he is.”
“Is there something I should know?” I ask.
She takes my hand in hers and squeezes. Sadness etches itself onto her face. “A bad choice today is tomorrow’s regret.”
The door opening puts a halt to the conversation. Xavier looks between us with confusion. “What are you doing?”
Emery blinks away her tears and smiles. “Nothing. I was just checking on her.”
A heaviness settles on my chest. I can’t look away from Emery. Usually, it would be her beauty and elegant cream dress, but right now, it’s the unsettlement from her warning.What does she know that I don’t?
“Thank you. I’ll be out in just a minute.”
She gives my hand one last squeeze before she lets go. “I need to tend to the guests.” She walks past her husband without giving him a second glance.
When the front door closes, and her footsteps fade away, Xavier steps further into the room. “You look beautiful.”
Normally, I would make the most of our time alone, but seeing Emery in this room, asking questions with tears in her eyes, makes me want to run as far away from him as I can.
“You should go and greet your guests.” I take a seat on the bed and fasten my heels.
Xavier kneels before me and takes over. “Did she say something?”
“I need to get out there before Huxley gets here.” I stand up and try to leave. When his fingers grip my wrist, I close my eyes and will these feelings away. “Let go.”
“You said nothing was going on between you. Then you throw him a party?”
I peel his fingers off me and face him. “It was Emery’s idea.”
“You could have said no,” he argues.
I let out an incredulous laugh. “And explain that how? Sorry Emery, I don’t want to throw him a party because your husband, who I’m screwing by the way, will get jealous. Does that sound like a good enough excuse?”
