Page 95 of Nothing to the Wedding

“That’s a conversation I would have with my partner.Even if we broke up, I wouldn’t go crying to the press, it makes no sense.There’s no validation in that for me.So knowing it’s not true, it’s barely worth a conversation with Zairn, why would it warrant one with Anjelica or the mass media?”

“You’re just cool with it?”

Her lips curled.“It’s today and tomorrow will be tomorrow.There are real, honest to God problems in the world that should upset all of us.Someone lies about Zairn today and someone else lies about me tomorrow, it never ends.We take a deep breath and appreciate what’s real.”

“Your relationship?”

“Yes.”

“Because you love him?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re sure he’s not cheating on you?”

“Yes.”

Beyond her drink observer, Sam stood by one of the VIP bars.Nice.Glad he’d come.

“I don’t think many people would be this understanding.”

“The world wants a cat fight,” she said.“And I won’t dignify it.Anjelica can shout and scream and stamp her feet.Nothing she says will impact my relationship or my happiness.”

“I can’t decide if…”

“I have the healthiest relationship in the world or I’m the most naïve woman on the planet?”

More amusement.“Right.”

“I get that a lot.”

Her brother wasn’t alone.For once.Rather than be on the edge looking in, he was talking, animated, not as entirely grumpy as she might expect.

“What…?”Reeve’s head turned as he followed her line of sight.“Is there a problem?”

“No,” she murmured.“I just feel like that guy should be familiar.”

Not her brother, the guy standing next to him, in their little cluster.Her brother didn’t cluster.He didn’t socialize, not like the rest of the world did.

“This is your reception, shouldn’t you know everyone?”

She scoffed.“You might think so, but…”

“Don’t know the guy in the middle, but the guy with the red rose on his lapel is Ridge Wylde.”She mouthed the name.Good thing someone knew what was what.“Rose is an odd touch.He can’t have been in the wedding party.”

Because otherwise she really should know him.

That was one answer she could give.“It’s a Crimson rose.They were handed out as people arrived.Party favors.”

“I didn’t get one.”

“You didn’t come through the front door,” she said.And he wasn’t an official guest.Was the guy’s name supposed to mean something to her?“Am I meant to know Ridge Wylde?”

“He has a TV show.”

“Oh, a celebrity.”

“You might’ve seen his face here and there.”