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“Did you now?” Bridget sways to the side, making a quick search over my shoulder. “I’m shocked you were able to get him out of the house. I thought he was withering to death.”

“He’s not a hermit, B. He travels all the time.”

“Yeah, well, his social manners—” Bridget gasps, eyes blowing wide at something behind me.

“What?”

I crane my neck to peer over my shoulder in the direction she’s staring.

Her dainty hands latch onto either side of my face and drag me down, centering my focus back on her.

But it’s too late.

Because in those three seconds, I saw the face of a woman I haven’t seen in ten years.

The face of a woman who loathes me.

The face of my ex-wife.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

VERITY

I’ve almost thrown up five times, but it seems like everything is going perfectly.

I collapse onto the leather armchair in the corner of the billiard room with a groan.

I should probably be shmoozing right now, but after getting three hours of sleep and working over twelve hours today, I’m alittlebeat. I spent the first two hours of the event making small talk, and while I know Anne is still out there buttering up every potential future client possible, I just don’t have it in me right now. I need a breather.

Each of the billiard tables are occupied by people competing against each other, and there are two men stationed by the dart board, taunting each other as they make their throws. Mixing free alcohol with sharp objects doesn’t seem like the smartest idea to me—but it isn’t my event, if someone loses an eye.

My phone buzzes, and I pull it out of my clutch.

JENNA:I need more business cards

ME:where are u

JENNA:balcony

I let a deep sigh out through my nose and then force my body to stand. The sides of my feet pinch from the tightness of my new heels, but I push the pain away.

So much for a break.

The second I open the door back into the main foyer, I’m assaulted by the loud chatter of people and clinking of glassware over the music. It feels like more and more people keep showing up. Which is entirely possible.

I’ve never seen so many rich and famous people gathered in one place before. From models to airline CEOs to NBA players to socialites, everyone who is anyone is here. I thought Cullen knew a lot of people, but Jace Kelton is clearly a king in the social scene.

“There you are.”

Speak of the devil.

“Mr. Kelton, is everything going well?”

“I told you, it’s Jace. We’re friends, remember?”

He gives me a charming smile, and I’m reminded of the absolute embarrassment I put myself through this morning when I’d shown up and realized that the suave man I met last night is the perfectionistic asshat I’ve been dealing with for the last twelve weeks.

Jenna introduced Anne and me toMr. Kelton,and I’d just stared at him, gaping like a damn fish. Never in my life have I met a man who splits business and pleasure so perfectly down the middle that he has two different personalities.