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“Sixty thousand dollars.” A high-pitched female voice rings out and all heads, including mine, turn her way.

Standing from her chair but sitting a fair distance away, the tall blonde waves her paddle in the air, eyeing the rest of the room. “Sixty thousand dollars for the original signed jersey of Zach Evans.”

“You havegotto be kidding me,” Kate drawls from across our table.

“Thefuckisshedoing here?” Jon adds, an incredulous tone to his voice.

My heart drops. It’s Amie.

Feeling the tension flowing from him, I spin around in my chair to see Zach’s face twisted with anger. “How in the hell did she make it past security?” I bite out.

Amie is awarded the highest bidder, and the auction wraps up. All the while, our table remains stunned into silence—apart from Kate, who is clearly ready for a battle. “I swear to God that woman is the devil incarnate.”

Zach stands from his chair and makes for a couple of employees in his foundation, clearly wanting answers as to how his evil ex-girlfriend has not only managed to gain access but successfully bid at the auction.

“Ah shit—she’s coming over,” Jon confirms.

I feel my entire body tremble with nerves. If she was here for Zach’s speech, she’ll know I’m his date, making me public enemy number one.

“She’s clearly had the baby,” Felicity offers.

I carefully look her way as she walks with purpose, her royal-blue gown skintight to her body. She can’t have had the baby long ago, but her figure is perfect.

“Don’t worry, babe. We have this handled,” Felicity offers me in a reassuring tone.

“I’m good. Don’t worry about me,” I push out with confidence, feeling anything but at this moment.

“Hey, guys,” she says when she finally reaches our table. She’s standing behind Jensen’s chair, and I almost double over in laughter as he mocks her face, knowing exactly what she looks like as she delivers her condescending greeting.

“I thought you took the trash out before we left your place?” Kate looks to Felicity.

I fight to keep my face straight as Amie looks to her left and directly at me, disdain pulling at her pouty lips.

I’m not a bitch, but seriously, what the hell did Zach see in her. All that beauty is marred by her god-awful attitude.

“How did you get in here, Amie? I can’t imagine Zach invited you,” Jon asks.

She tips her chin up at him. “I didn’t need an invitation; my company is this year’s main sponsor.”

“Oh please,” Kate drawls. “You took absolutely fuck all interest in it last year. Yet this year, your tiny health and fitness business is somehow the main sponsor?”

I know Amie owns a far from “tiny” health and fitness business; in fact, it’s more like an empire. There’s no doubt she’s an astute businesswoman with a lot of financial clout and influence on social media. It's amazing what money can buy you access to if you offer enough of it.

She scoffs at Kate. “Girl, I don’t even know who you are.” She then looks to Felicity. “I’ve seen you around before, but tell me, are you still crying over that time in the bar bathroom?” She looks down at her engagement finger and points. “If ever there’s a ring that screams, ‘She forced me to marry her,’ then that’s it.”

Jon rises from his seat, anger twisting his features. “Don’t you dare speak to mywifeand her friends like that. I’m not into threatening women, but since you barely pass as one, I’ll make an exception.”

Zach comes to stand behind my chair, resting his hands on my shoulders. “I don’t need your sponsorship or your money, Amie. Get out and never come back. I never want to see you again.”

She doesn’t look up at him as she keeps her focus lasered on me. “You’re right, Zach. You don’t need the money. And neither do I. That bid was personal. After all, I doubt a random stranger would want that hanging on their wall if they knew the last timeit was worn wasn’t in your first game.” She flicks her eyes up to him as she takes a sip of her champagne. “I hope you cleaned it up before you framed it. We got itverydirty that night.”

I want to vomit, and I feel Zach’s hands begin to shake with what I know is a mixture of rage and bitter memories.

I might be a trembling mess underneath, but I’ve about had my fill of this woman. I steel my shoulders and look her straight in the eyes. “From what I hear, Amie, it's highly likely there will already be one,or maybe severaljerseys, you’ve worn framed and on some random stranger’s walls.” Leaning back in my seat, I take a sip of the champagne I decide I need after all. “It must be hard to keep track.”

“I think I might be in love,” Kate announces, a proud smile spreading across her face. Turning back to Amie, she points toward the exit. “Best get chasing those jerseys.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT