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“I wouldn’t have put you in this position.”
“If you’d have been honest, we wouldn’t be,” he hissed.
I placed my fork on my plate. “It’s not black and white.”
“Yes, it is. You aremarried. It doesn’t get clearer than that.”
I turned to face him, straightening my spine. “The reason I never let you pick me up or take me home is because I didn’t want you to know where I live.”
“I gathered that. Wouldn’t look too good for your lover to come over—”
“I live at Paths of Purpose.”
His mouth dropped open, and my chair scraped as I pushed it back. “Excuse me, everyone. I have to go check on dessert.”
I felteyes on me as I rushed away. I’d promised myself I wouldn’t run, and I wasn’t. That was all I could handle divulging for one night. These revelations were hard. And they didn’t lift any weight off my soul. If anything, they burdened it. I didn’t want Andrew carrying this crap that had happened in my life.
It was impossible to miss the sympathy underneath his surprise. I didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for me, especially not him. Things were what they were. I spent every single day trying to make them better. And I was.
I checkedto make sure everything was in order with the cakes, and I made a beeline to find a quiet space. I only made it to the lobby before I ran straight into Timothy.
“What’s your hurry there?” he asked as he caught me.
“Needed some air?”
He tilted his head to the side. “I was running too. I brought a date. She’s a sweet lady, but—”
“She just doesn’t do it for you,” I finished.
“Exactly.” He motioned toward the exit. “Want some company?”
I ran a hand down my face. “I’m not much company right now.”
“There you are.” A woman hustled on three-inch stilettos across the marble floor. “I thought you’d disappeared.” Her eyes flicked to me. “And you are?” Her tone was a purr, but I didn’t miss the claws behind her words.
“Trish,” I said quietly, keeping my hands behind my back.
“What a lovely name,Trish.”
“Allegra, I was on my way back when I ran into Trish,” Timothy explained.
Her expression wasdo you expect me to believe that, even as she pasted a smile on her face. “I don’t blame you for being distracted.”
I needed to find that quiet spot I’d been looking for in the first place. Now. “Timothy, enjoy the rest of your evening. Allegra, it was nice to meet you.”
“You, as well.” She linked her slender arm through Timothy’s elbow. “I need more wine, and then let’s spend some money for a good cause.”
With one last knowing look, she led him away. He glanced back, wearing an apologetic expression on his face.
I put on a brave smile and continued on my original mission. Catching my breath.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Andrew
Trish’s confession changed everything.
Yet it changed nothing.
