Page 30 of Secret Revenge

I was relieved to know that Barbara forgave me. Leaving her the way I did was shitty, and I had come to terms with that. While I needed to leave her when I did to deal with my own demons, it still felt like a lackluster excuse to give to a wonderful woman who had tried to love me the best way she knew how.

I took a few moments to compose myself before stepping out of the hedge in Barbara’s wake. I approached the reception party and saw that it was time for group pictures. Barbara waved me over to join up, and I smiled in return. I stood at the side of the group and flashed my best magazine smile for the photographer.

I looked at him closer and frowned. Standing beside him was none other than Emily.

Huh? What the hell is she doing here and what does she know about photography?

I held on to the smile as the camera flashed, a smile that spread over my lips but did not touch my eyes. A few poses later, the group broke off and I stood in a corner to watch Emily.

She and the photographer seemed tight, accustomed to each other, as they conversed and moved through the garden together. She also appeared down, like there was something heavy bothering her. The photographer touched her on the cheek, tilting his head towards her to seemingly ask her if she was alright.

From where I stood, the gesture seemed entirely too personal. Hot anger flared inside me as I watched the pair.What in heaven’s name is going on there?My anger burned from red hot to bright white as I followed them around the garden with my eyes.

I had no reason to feel anger concerning Emily or what she chose to do in her private time. We barely knew each other, and I hadn’t even thought to ask if she had a boyfriend. But as illogical as my rage was, it coursed through my veins like boiling liquid.

Who the hell was that guy, and why did he feel so comfortable touching Emily?

Having seen enough, I walked over to the two of them without hesitation. It seemed best to find out once and for all what was going on here, saving myself the pain of discovering later.

I bobbed through the crowd towards the pair, making sure to approach from behind so Emily would not see me.

“Hello,” I said in a harsh tone from behind her. She turned and jumped a little. “Fancy seeing you here.”

The photographer shot me a glance, frowning, then stepped away to take pictures of a dancing couple. I grabbed Emily’s arm and tried to pull her away from the gathering.

“Travis… let go of me,” she said in a warning tone, hesitating. I glanced around first, then looked down at her.

“Do you really want to create a scene right now? At someone’s wedding?” I asked quietly. “Is that what you want?”

It was Emily’s turn to look around, and then she shook her head. Her eyes looked cold and angry, and I wondered what had gotten her upset.

Well, she wasn’t the only one who was angry, and she had some explaining to do. I led her away from the wedding towards a foot bridge that crossed a small brook.

There was a stone bench across the bridge, and we sat there, the air around us feeling combustible.

“I have one question,” I said without any preamble. “Is that your boyfriend?”

Emily turned on me with a face so hard, it could boil rock and curdle blood. Her anger was so intense, it took every bit of my strength to resist the urge to back away. “What do you care?” she asked finally. “It’s not like we owe each other explanations.”

“Well since we’ve been in between each other’s thighs, I think we do.” I held her angry gaze as I spoke. “I will have you know that I do not like people who practice infidelity in relationships.”

“Ah,” she said, leaning back. “Choosing the moral high ground, are you? Apparently, I’m not the only one with questionable relationships.”

Touching the base of my neck I looked at her confused, “What are you talking about?”

She smirked. “I am not the one exchanging rings with other people.”

She wasn’t making any sense. “Huh? Exchanging rings? “What are you going on ab—” And then it hit me. Somehow,and I had no idea how, she’d seen Barbara returning her ring to me. The proof of her accusation was in the breast pocket of my tuxedo.

“Look, I don’t know what you thought you saw, but I wasn’t exchanging anything,” I said defensively. “She wasreturningthe ring to me.”

Her gaze faltered for a moment as she ponders whether or not I could actually be telling the truth.

“Don’t change the topic Emily. Who is he to you?” My voice rang a little too strongly in my ears and I realized how loudly we’d been arguing when she nearly flinched, taking another look around.

I sighed deeply and held her hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shout. Please tell me. Who is he to you?

“He’s just a friend,” Emily said in a low grating voice, breaking her gaze. “He’s not my boyfriend. I only came here to help him with a last-minute gig. There. Are you happy now?”