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After a few more moments, the orchestra strikes up. “We have to give them a dance,” Mathias informs me, escorting me to the dance floor.
At least they hired a good local band to sing oldies. The strands of “If This World Were Mine” fill the room. His strong arms pull me into his embrace. I want to lay my head on his chest, but this is not the place.
“You did good.”
I look up into his silver eyes. Immediately I’m lost. I don’t want to be found. We glide and sway, and the singers hit the notes. It’s like the song was requested for us. Mathias’s eyes never leave mine. In that moment I feel our old connection, but it’s deeper than it’s ever been before.
“You were magnificent,” I tell him, meaning it. “The way you defended your position and even swayed those you thought couldn’t be moved… I’m proud.”
For a millisecond he pauses, looking down at me, his eyes a swirl of emotion. “Nik—”
“Mr. Shelby, you have a call. They say it’s urgent.”
Mathias looks down at the attendant who smoothly sidled up to us before dancing off. Wow, the country club even has people who know how to interrupt a dance without making it look awkward.
Mathias escorts me over to his cousin. “This is not me sharing.” He eyes Jackson. “Keep Nik company while I see to this call,” Mathias tells him before pressing a kiss to my crown.
“You may not like sharing, but we’ll let my little cuz decide,” Jackson taunts, pulling me onto the dance floor. “I’m going to wow her with my moves.”
For the next twenty minutes we dance, and four songs later, I have to beg off. My medicine is starting to loose it’s potency, and I need to find a glass of water and a chaise or have Mathias take me home.
As I’m walking to the ladies’ lounge, I see the tall form of LL along the edge of the ballroom. I make a beeline to him.
“When did you get here?” I ask, seeing him texting furiously on his phone.
“’Bout two hours ago, right before you.” He doesn’t look up.
“What? Where?” I ask, puzzled. He looks way too comfortable.
“Business here is done in the back rooms, baby cuz.” He gives me a wolfish grin. I see why Mathias asked him to take a sabbatical from his law firm to come run the campaign. My cousin loves this. He’s in his element making deals.
“How are y’all doing? Y’all look beautiful together on that dance floor. I thought Natalie was going to implode.” He gives me an unwavering look. “Watch out. I never thought I’d have to say it because they never had what you and Mathias have, but I’m getting the feeling she doesn’t like looking like she’s losing.”
I nod. “I know.” Looking around, I don’t see her tall form lapping up the attention from her friends. “I’ll see you.” Without anyone having to tell me, I know that when I find my husband, I’ll find his ex.
I leave as LL returns to his phone, texting like his life depends on it.
After walking along the edge of the ballroom, I take the first exit that leads to the notorious back rooms LL told me about.
The hallway is full of dark open rooms. I see and hear no one as I walk down the plush carpeted hallway, my toes sinking into the thick soft loom of fibers probably handcrafted by some artisan in some remote area of the world. I follow the dimly lit corridor, peeking inside seeing nothing but the odd card game and gentlemen smoking. It’s not until I get to the last two rooms that I hear Natalie’s voice.
Oh, here we go again, but this time I won’t hesitate—I’m going to walk right in.
But then I hear it. “I still love you, Thi.” She sounds so broken, devastated, hurt.
“Nat,” he sounds anguished. “I love you too.”
I push into the room as she throws herself into his arms, smothering his face with kisses.
Slowly, way too fucking slowly, he peels her away from him. “Listen—”
“Yeah, because I want to hear it too,” I say calmly.
He steps past her.
“You know what?” I say, throwing up my hand. “I don’t want to hear it. I’m not doing this anymore.” I storm out, ignoring his calls. I get to the end of the corridor.
“Nik,” he calls to me.
