Page 87 of Am I the Only One

“What is wrong with you?” Eloise scolds harshly behind her tight lips. “Pull yourself together.”

I can’t. Emma locks eyes with me, and I panic.

Is this the moment? Is she going to say somethinghere?

Suddenly, the urgency to run consumes me, but there’s no escaping.

My heart thumps so low and so heavy that it can be felt in the pit of my stomach, and I can’t stop fidgeting.

“Is everything okay?” Tripp whispers, his voice chilling me even more.

No. Everything is not okay. I’m about to go down in flames, and so is this whole campaign.

With a forced smile, I lie, “I skipped breakfast. I think my blood sugar may be a little low.”

“Olivia,” Tripp calls. “Would you mind getting Carly a small plate of food?”

“Of course,” she replies, not even looking up from whatever she’s typing on her phone before she turns on her heel and disappears into the crowd.

When I look back to Emma, Luca is whispering something in her ear. She glances my way, says something back to him, and then leaves the reception as he starts making his way over to where I’m standing.

A multitude of thoughts collide in my head. I should’ve called Emma to get those pictures, but I’ve been in such a panic these past few days I haven’t been able to think clearly. Plus, I’ve been in complete damage-control mode with Tripp, trying to get back into his good graces.

Eloise takes ahold of my cold, clammy hand. “For Christ’s sake, what is the matter with you?”

I don’t pay her any attention, though. I’m too busy having a silent fit of terror.

“Mr. Montgomery, it’s nice to meet you,” Luca says, his tone light and unburdened as he extends a hand to my husband.

My lungs constrict, and like a noose around my neck, I’m finding it hard to take in a decent breath.

I can’t move.

I can’t speak.

As I look on in horror, my gut twists so tightly, I have to bite back the piercing pain. Luca’s eyes meet mine, and I have to grab on to Tripp’s hand to keep my knees from giving way. Before he can say anything, Olivia approaches with a plate of food and does a double take at Luca.

“I didn’t know you were going to be here,” she says. The two of them clearly know each other.

She hands me the plate, and I whisper a jittery, “Thank you,” because I can’t find my voice.

Luca gives her a curt nod before excusing himself, and I have to rush off to the restroom before I collapse in front of everyone. Eloise huffs as I push by her and make a beeline to the bathroom. I lock myself in a stall and sit on the edge of the toilet, lowering my head down to my knees.

Luca knows Olivia.

Olivia knows Luca.

Holy shit!

The realization that this is even worse than I expected barrels down on me. If Olivia knows Luca, then she must know Emma too.

What the hell is going on?

A sheen of cold sweat coats my forehead and neck, and my hands shake beyond my control. I have no clue what I’m going to do, but this is bigger than anything I’m able to combat.

I’m screwed.

Plain and simple—I’m completely screwed!