Page 11 of The Temporary Fiancée
Declan saunters up to join me at my table. I look around for Sophie, and see her across the room, chatting animatedly with Riley and Cole.
“Check them out,” Declan says, nodding over at the couple. “Don’t they look happy?”
“Happy, for sure,” says another voice to my left. I glance over to see Noah, Cole’s neighbor and Riley’s foster brother. I’ve met Noah a few times at Cole’s poker nights. “And in love.”
I nod and make a small noise of agreement. At least, I hope they’ll interpret it as a noise of agreement. I’m happy for Cole, obviously, but I don’t really have much use for love myself.
“Reed—” Declan begins, and I take a gulp of whiskey. I don’t want to hear the spiel again. Love this, joy that. There’s only one thing on my mind tonight.
“I think this might be the perfect opportunity to end my dry spell,” I say, looking around the room. “Here I am, at this fancy shindig?—”
“What are you talking about?” Declan laughs. “There’ll be time for that later, won’t there?”
“Unfortunately not,” I say, my voice sour. “Seeing as I’m about to get locked down in a marriage I don’t even want. Now or never, right?”
“What do you mean,marriage?”
“Oh, that’s right. I hadn’t gotten a chance to tell you yet.” I roll my eyes. “Apparently, my father thinks my image is so bad that the only solution is to settle down. Get a fucking fiancée.”
Noah clicks his teeth and shakes his head. “Are you kidding?”
“Nope. That’s Lionel Eastwood.”
“What happens if you don’t do it?” Noah asks.
I exchange a grim glance with Declan, then say, “Let’s just say it’s a non-starter.” I take another sip of the whiskey, scanning the room—assessing my options.
Immediately, my eyes land on Olivia.
She’s looking gorgeous tonight in a black, sequined dress that sparkles when she moves. It has an open back; her loose, dark hair is pulled back into a plait that runs between her shoulder blades, auburn highlights streaking the braid.
As always, Olivia’s in heels. Tonight, they’re silver, pencil-thin, and at least five inches tall—tall enough that she’s at eye level with most of the other women in the room, despite her tiny stature.
She stands next to Sophie, a martini in her hand, talking to Cole and Riley as they laugh and cling to each other.
I shake my head, dismissing the automatic thought that comes to mind.Olivia isn’t a hookup option,I remind myself. I have a few ground rules for these kinds of evenings, and any woman I know personally is off the table. Too complicated. Too much mess. A different kind of mess than I’m used to, and one that I could do without.
But I can’t bring myself to survey the rest of the room. I just keep staring at Olivia, drawn to her. She smiles, but her happiness seems muted, more for Riley’s benefit than genuine enjoyment. She looks exhausted, like she’s been awake for days.
As I watch, Cole and Riley move away, heading over to the bar together. Sophie goes with them, and Olivia stays over by the wall, leaning against it. The second everyone else leaves, the false smile slips from her face.
What the hell is up with that?
Declan taps the table. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m heading over to the bar. Looks like myrealfiancée is over there.” He shoots me a wink, and I scowl at him, rolling my eyes.
“Yeah, whatever,” I mutter. I know Declan’s just giving me shit, as usual, but it’s a little too soon.
Next to me, Noah drains the last of his merlot. “I’m gonna go get a refill,” he says. “You want anything?”
I shake my head, and the two of them head off, leaving me alone at the table.
My gaze lingers on Olivia for a long time.
Fuck it.I can’t help it. I’ve got to know what’s bothering her. Everything else can wait. What’s one conversation?
Taking my drink with me, I head across the room toward her. She notices me coming, and her cheeks flush. She drops her gaze to the floor, trying to play it off, but nothing slips by me.
“Wallflower tonight, huh?” I lean against the wall beside her, glancing down at her. In the heels, the top of her head almost reaches my shoulder. Almost.
