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Could I have ever been one of these people?

The thought should have been exciting and fun, but I couldn’t see myself walking around with a fake smile plastered on my face, going to concerts, galas, and fundraisers.

Rubbing elbows with other rich assholes.

No, it was probably for the best that I’d broken up with Rick.

This was all more than I could have handled.

It would be nice to be with someone a bit more down-to-earth.

Someone stable and supportive, but not so elite and pompous.

Someone like Nate.

Stop. Get that thought out of your head right now.

Again and again, Nate kept springing to mind. Even now, in the midst of all this glitz and glamor, I couldn’t get him out of my head.

Chiding myself, I plastered a wide smile on my lips and walked through the doors with Rick, grudgingly allowing him to take my arm.

The hotel lobby was shiny and new, the building having been completed only nine months ago.

Rick led me to the ballroom. Again, I was struck by how silly it was to be having it here rather than closer to the hospital.

Another way for rich people to separate themselves from the poor.

“Pretty nice, right?” Rick asked, dragging me from my bitter thoughts.

“Oh, yeah,” I said.

The place had been decorated with white roses, lilies, and tulips.

Gold and white balloon sculptures and multiple ice carvings stood around the room.

In the corner, a jazz band played a light tune as people made their way in and mingled.

Everyone wore tuxedos, gowns, and cocktail dresses.

Diamonds glittered on every hand and neck.

One woman wore what looked like a ten-carat diamond on a pendant necklace that caught the light, sparkling like a tiny sun on her chest. An open bar sat at the rear of the ballroom, where people were getting glasses of Dom Perignon and Cristal.

It was more than I’d anticipated, and my nerves started to get the better of me.

Rick must have felt the tension in my body because he patted my hand and put his lips to my ear. “No reason to be nervous.”

“Sorry,” I said and adjusted the dress. “I sort of wish I’d worn a different dress. I don’t feel comfortable in this thing.”

Rick’s face fell, looking hurt. “You don’t like it? I thought it was a nice peace offering.”

“No,” I said quickly. “I love it. It’s beautiful. It’s just like I’m wearing the wrong skin or something. I’m not used to wearing something this expensive. That’s all.”

I would have stood out like a flashing red light in my off-the-rack department store clearance dresses. Not a single dress I could see looked like it cost less than five hundred dollars.

Rick’s smile returned. “It’s all right. I’m happy to spoil my friend with something nice. Besides, you want to fit in, right?” he said, echoing my own private thoughts. “Come on, let’s say hi to some people.”

This part, I was ready for. I might not have moved in these people’s circles, but I was still a journalist at heart. Over the last couple days, I’d found the guest list and researched several areas of concern for some of the more powerful people who would be in attendance.

Rick walked me toward a small group of people who all appeared to be in their fifties or sixties.

“Hello, everyone,” Rick said. “How are we tonight? I wanted to introduce my girlfriend. This is Cameron Torres.”

My heart lurched, and it was all I could do not to dig my nails into the back of his hand and draw blood. So fucking much for just friends. Asshole. I should have known this was how things would go.

Too late now. I was here. When this was over, I’d tear Rick a new one.

“Wonderful to meet you,” one of the ladies said, and I recognized her as a member of the Toronto City Council.

I shook her hand, putting on a mask of grace and charm, shoving my rage down deep. “Good evening, Councilwoman Clark. It’s an honor to meet you.”

She smiled at me. “You’ve found yourself quite a catch, young lady. The Masters family is revered not just in Toronto, but all of Canada.”

“Oh, he sure is something,” I said, looking at Rick while gritting my teeth.

If he noticed my anger, he didn’t show it. In fact, he acted oblivious.

The group was full of local politicians. Thanks to my diligent research and knowledge of issues, by the time we moved on, I’d won them all over. Even Rick looked impressed that I’d kept up my end of the conversation.

“I didn’t know you were into politics,” he said as we stopped by the bar to grab drinks.

“I’m a journalist,” I grunted as the bartender handed me a glass of white wine. Once we were out of earshot of everyone, I dropped my smile and hissed, “What the fuck, Rick? What happened to just friends?”

He gave me an embarrassed smile. “Sorry. It’s hard to change after so long. Plus, it’s just easier to introduce you as my girlfriend. I mean, you are my friend who happens to be a girl, right?”

“We’re going to have a long talk about this when we’re done here,” I said, then downed my drink in one gulp.

Doing my best to keep up a good front, I allowed Rick to guide me to another group of people.

We struck up a conversation with the pitcher I’d seen earlier.

He was with a group of other pro athletes in attendance—players from the Maple Leafs and Raptors.

The douchebags at work who covered sports would be eating their hearts out if they knew I was talking to some of their favorite players.

To keep my mind off the disaster that was happening with Rick, I dived headfirst into conversation.

I managed to ask each of them about their careers, seasons, and even encouraged the NBA player not to take the contract the team had offered him since I considered it a lowball offer after reading about it.

“I told my agent the same thing,” he said, pointing at me. “He thought I was crazy, but I know what I’m worth.” He glanced at Rick. “Masters, this lady has a good head on her shoulders.”

Rick was almost glowing with pride. I was doing it. I was really doing it. I could hang with these people. It was something I would have relished a week before. Now, I just wanted the night to end. Giving Rick this last night may have been the worst decision in my entire life.

“Is this the young lady we’ve heard so much about?” a voice said from behind me.

My eyes bulged in surprise. I hadn’t met the man, but I’d seen him on TV enough to recognize his voice immediately. Lincoln Masters. Rick’s father.

Turning, I tried to make sure my smile was as bright and confident as ever.

I didn’t want these people to think I was intimidated by them.

Lincoln had his arm around his wife Madison’s waist. She had the look of a woman who’d once been a supermodel or actress and was aging gracefully.

Lincoln looked like he’d been cut and pasted from an internet search for a multi-millionaire silver fox .

His perfectly groomed beard and the five-hundred-dollar haircut were both peppered with gray.

Even though he was in his mid-fifties, his shoulders were still broad and strong.

Rick grinned at them. “You would be correct, Dad. This is Cameron. Cameron, this is my mother and father.”

“An honor to meet you both,” I said, extending my hand.

Madison ignored my hand, instead waving down a passing server, who swooped in and handed her a glass of champagne. I suppressed an irritated sigh.

“What is it you do for a living?” Lincoln asked, also ignoring my offered hand.

Doing my best to put my hand down without feeling too embarrassed, I straightened my shoulders. “I’m a reporter for The Chronicle .”

“Yes, that’s right.” Lincoln nodded absently. “I remember now. You cover the parades and whatnot, hmm?”

Heat rose in my cheeks, but I continued smiling. “I was. Well, I still do, but I’ve started working on the story of the murders that have occurred in the area. Young women who?—”

“Darling,” Madison said to Rick. “Deirdre Hudson is over there. I need to introduce you to her; she just finalized her divorce. You remember him, don’t you? Senator Johnson. She’s looking for someone to take her to the opening of that new opera next month.”

I swallowed hard, unable to keep the embarrassment from welling up inside me.

“Mom,” Rick said, his smile was now more wooden, “don’t you want to get to know my girlfriend?”

Finally over it, I said, “Rick, we are not?—”

“Hang on, Cam,” Rick said, cutting me off, then turning to his mother. “Mom, you’re being rude.”

Madison gave him a placating smile, but instead of looking at me or apologizing, she simply nodded as if she hadn’t heard him. “I’ll let her know to have her people call your people.”

Hot shame washed across me. This had all been a mistake.

I never should have agreed to this. Everything was going as poorly as my worst nightmare.

Not only was Rick obviously not taking the breakup seriously, his parents were assholes to boot.

It looked like I’d dodged a hell of a bullet, but now I was standing here, being made into a fool.

Deciding to salvage as much of my pride as I could, I cast aside my attempts at being cordial and put on my reporter persona.

“Mr. Masters,” I said, gathering myself. “I’m incredibly interested in the new development you’ve started. We drove by the other day to see the initial construction. What do you think the economic impact on the surrounding area will be once it’s complete?”

Lincoln smiled benevolently at me, but his eyes remained hard, like he was suspicious of me in some way. “I’m sure that’s all a little more than an entertainment reporter could understand. No reason to bore you with numbers.”

“Dad,” Rick said, putting an arm around me, but I pulled away. “Did I tell you that Cameron graduated at the top of her class in college? She’s really brilliant. She moved up through the ranks at The Chronicle quickly. What she’s done is impressive.”