Page 40 of Checkmate
She shook her head, sighing as the song came to an end. “That kind of venom is a bad look on you, and I’m quite disappointed that you’ve allowed one dance to turn you into a green-eyed monster.”
Pulling away from him, she squeezed his arm. “I’m going to go make the rounds. Maybe get yourself a drink, yeah?”
Walking away, Erica suppressed another urge to giggle. Adrenaline raced through her body making her giddy with glee.
That could not have gone any better had she tried.
She’d never really seen Alex jealous before.
Possessive, sure. But never jealous. But she supposed she’d never given him reason to be before now. It showed how well she and Marcus were playing their parts.
It was Marcus she made a beeline for as he stood off to the side. Sophie was nowhere to be seen and Erica was sure if she turned around, she’d find her glued to Alex’s side.
“I find it very interesting how unbothered I am by seeing them together,” Marcus said as she approached, confirming her suspicions. “Does a broken heart mend itself that quickly?”
“Absolutely not,” Erica replied, following his gaze. “But it’s easy to keep yourself in check when you’ve got a focus.”
He turned to look at her, tilting his head curiously. “You’re very calm about all this.”
“Like I said, it’s good to have a focus.”
If Erica let herself wallow, or gave Alex’s infidelities even the smallest amount of attention, her carefully built walls would crumble.
She wasn’t usually the kind of woman who wanted to hide her emotions. Quite the opposite, in fact.
By not allowing herself to feel everything, she believed she was doing herself a disservice. How would she know the good days from the bad if she did not embrace both feelings equally?
As much as she hated Alex right now, and god damn did she hate him, she also loved him desperately.
He was the man she had planned forever with.
And now their future was nothing but dreams left in the dust.
It was all such a waste. Such a stupid, fucking waste.
“Oh, nice parting words, by the way,” she said, forcing herself to refocus. “It really threw him.”
“Yeah?” Marcus grinned, clearly enjoying himself too much. “What did you say?”
“I kept it vague. Told him not to worry his pretty little head about it.”
Marcus laughed, a sound that made her stomach flip. “You’re some woman, Erica. You’d hardly know you were grieving.”
“I could say the same to you,” she replied. “You’re having far too much fun.”
“I think it’s better for everyone involved if I continue enjoying myself with our ruse. I’ve gone past feeling sad, and now I’m angry. I want to punch Alex, and toss Sophie out on her ass.”
Erica reached for his hand, giving him a reassuring squeeze. “Hey, you know you don’t have to play my silly game. You’ve got to do what’s best for you.”
“This is best for me,” he assured her with a smile. “It’s been very cathartic planning this revenge.”
“As long as you’re sure—”
“Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention?”
Erica looked up as the sound of feedback from a microphone interrupted her.
Alex stood front and centre, commanding attention as he smiled at the guests who gathered around him. Erica rolled her eyes and turned back to Marcus.
