Page 69 of Angels & Whiskey

“There’s a lot of people here,” Dad said, looking around.

Rich smiled. “All the important ones.”

My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach as I watched another couple walk in. Our gazes met and I wanted to run, lock myself in my bedroom closet in the dark and cry myself to sleep only to wake up and realize it was just a dream.

But it wasn’t a dream.

Gabe was arm in arm with a woman I’d never seen before. He didn’t smile and I didn’t smile. I stood there gawping as he stared back, unable to take my gaze off of him. So many thoughts ran through my head. How was it possible he was here? Who was he with? Was that his girlfriend? He’d never told me he had a girlfriend. And the most piercing question:

Did he know Rich?

I heard Rich mumble, “It’s about time she showed up. Come along, Autumn. There’s someone else I need you to meet.”

I couldn’t move. I mean, how could I? I wondered if Gabe was hired by Rich to be a spy … he was always there. The gym, Starbucks, and when I’d told Rich I wanted to go dress shopping, Gabe just happened to be at the same store in all of Las Vegas.

What the fuck?

“Autumn. Come,” Rich grunted with a snap of his fingers as if I were a dog—as if I was his little bitch.

Fuck … I was.

I took a hasty step, reaching for Rich’s hand so he could lead me toward Gabe and the mystery woman. As we moved closer, I decided to face this motherfucker head on. I straightened my back and walked with confidence toward Gabe, ready to pull him aside when Rich was busy and chew him out.

With just a few steps to go, Gabe turned his back on me.As if that would work asshole!I was furious, but I couldn’t let Rich know. I’d know soon enough if Gabe was a spy. Rich would love watching my face as he introduced me to someone he knew I already knew—and spent time with.

“Trista! Can you believe it? The night’s finally here,” Rich beamed, hugging the woman with Gabe.

“I know!” Her smile widened and Rich stepped back.

“Trista, this is my wife, Autumn. Autumn, Trista’s my campaign manager.”

I shook her hand, plastering on a fake smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“I’ve heard so much about you,” she gushed. “Let me introduce you to myboyfriend. Gabe, sweetie, this is Richard Jones and his wife, Autumn.”

Gabe slowly turned. “Major,” he nodded to Rich.

“Holy shit, if it isn’t Captain Gabriel Hastings. I haven’t seen you since—”

“Since we both left Afghanistan,” Gabe finished Rich’s sentence, sticking his hand out to shake Rich’s.

I watched as they apparently got reacquainted with each other. My head was spinning.So Gabe didn’t know Rich was my husband? But Gabe had a girlfriend this entire time?

“You two know each other?” Trista asked.

“I was his commanding officer,” Rich answered.

Gabe’s gaze fell on mine and we stared at each other again. I could tell something was wrong. His lips were pressed tightly together, his hands clenched at his side, and a vein was protruding from his neck.

It felt as if the floor was going to give way and swallow me whole. In fact, I wanted that to happen. I never expected Gabe to have a girlfriend. He’d never mentioned it, and he said he wanted to be with me after I was away from Rich. Was he just biding his time until then?

The thought of Gabe with another woman turned my stomach, but he had to know I was sleeping with my husband. And now that he knew who my husband was, he had a visual just like I had now with him and Trista.

“Sweetheart, let me get you a drink before Major—”

“Gabe, we’re done with that. Call me Rich.”

Gabe gave a tight smile with a nod. “Sounds good. Let me get you a drink before Rich and I catch up.” He leaned over and pressed a kiss to Trista’s cheek.