Page 25 of Sex, Lies, and Margarita Mixes

THE EX RETURNS… AGAIN

ROXY

There’s something about a Tuesday morning email labeled “Heads up” that sets off every alarm in my brain.

Especially when it’s from Mari Lynn and includes a screenshot… of Holden . At a bridal expo. Giving an interview.

“Exclusive: Entrepreneur Holden Marks to Launch All Inclusive Wedding Planning Company.”

Choking on my coffee, I spray my phone. “Oh, hell no.”

Chase glances up from where he’s scrolling through food truck supply invoices. “What’s wrong, babe?”

I flip the laptop toward him. “This motherfu?—.”

He squints at the screen and says, “That’s… Holden. What the hell?”

“The one and only.” I flop onto the couch. “God, he’s like a cockroach. You can burn the whole damn building down and he’s still scuttling around with a smug smile.”

Chase laughs. “You’re feeling spicy this morning.”

“I’m feeling homicidal.” I snap.

“You should have thrown the chair.” He smirks.

I narrow my eyes. “I should have thrown the damn chair.’”

He shrugs. “You’d have looked so hot in prison orange.”

I grin. “I don’t think I’d like prison. I can’t have liner sharp enough to shank someone, no red lipstick, and someone scary would want to sit on my face.”

“He nods. All true… wanna sit on my face?” He waggles his brows at me.

I laugh out loud. “Yes, actually.”

Laying back, he points at his face.

Standing, I drop my shorts and panties and do just that.

By noon, my phone’s blowing up.

Three vendors ask if I’m “partnering” with Holden because he dropped our name.

Fuck that piece of shit.

Two reporters leave messages requesting a quote. One email from a former client forwarding a gossip blog headline: “Did Roxy West Inspire Holden Marks’ Next Business Move?”

I call Mari Lynn. As soon as she answers, I say, “Did you know?”

She groans. “I didn’t. Last I heard he was building some luxury shopping center in Austin with million-dollar apartments on the top floors. This came out of nowhere.”

“Is he targeting me? It feels like this is directed at me. He dropped our name! And the fuck? A one-stop-shop for all things wedding and hiring a celebrity chef to cater them?” I scream.

“Yeah, he did. And I’m working on that. He’s suddenly targeting the entire Dallas wedding scene, babe. But yeah… probably mostly you. What the hell happened at the beach house?”

I rub my temples. “Nothing. Well, he showed up as I told you and busted in on the couple’s retreat. I was going to kick his ass until security removed him. He was pissed and goaded Chase, but what the hell? I swear if he tries to book our clients?—”

“You’ll what?” Mari Lynn deadpans. “Beat him with a fondant rolling pin or stab him in the eye with your stiletto?” I hear the smile in her voice.

“Don’t tempt me.” I growl.

She laughs and I laugh with her at the image in my head.

At 4PM, the office phone rings.

“Bold Hearts Events, this is Roxy.”

A familiar voice purrs through the line. “Hey, Rox.” It makes my skin crawl.

I freeze. “Holden.”

“You saw the article, huh?”

“I did.” I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms. “Why are you name dropping me and my business? What do you want?”

He chuckles. “Can’t I just call to catch up?”

“You tried that… at the beach house you broke into, months ago. If you recall, it didn’t end well… for you. So, I’ll ask again, what the hell do you want?” I’m flipping a pen on my desktop and Melody has perched on the edge so she can listen, too.

He exhales. “Fair. Well… I’ve got a tasting event next week. Soft launch for my new event catering brand. I wanted to extend an invite.”

Sure you did?

I laugh dryly. “Why? So you can show me how much more money you have now? Not interested.”

“Come on, Rox.” His voice is low, pleading in the way that used to get me to do whatever he wanted. “We were good together once. We can be again. I miss you.”

Absolutely the fuck not.

I grit my teeth. “No thanks. We were toxic as hell, and you know it.”

“Maybe.” A pause. “But we were also fire.”

I stare at the ceiling and exhale before saying as clearly as I can, “I’m fire with my husband and I’m hanging up now.”

“Rox—”

Click.

Dropping the phone onto the desk, I scream into my arm.

Chase walks in the front door with a smoothie just then. “Do I want to know?”

I sigh and wave at the phone. “Holden. He invited me to his launch party for his new event catering thing.”

Melody stands and says she’s heading out for lunch and will be back in half an hour.

Chase nods at her and sets the smoothie down before leaning against my desk and crossing his arms. “He wanted to invite you … Interesting. You going?” His tone is different than I expected.

I glance at him. “Do you want me to go?”

Looking down at me, he smiles. Slowly. “Of course, I want you to go… and I want you to steal his shine. Need a plus one?”

I blink up at him. “You’re dangerous.”

He leans down and kisses me deeply. My toes curl as his tongue slides over mine before his lips cling. He pulls back and I’m totally breathless as he growls, “You love it.”

“Damn right I do.” I mutter and grab his head, pulling his face back down to mine.

The night of the event, I wear a black satin jumpsuit with a plunging neckline and a blazer thrown casually over my shoulders. My dark hair is in soft waves. My makeup is flawless, and my red lips are on point and match my stilettos.

Chase, wearing a tailored black suit that looks like it was designed just for him, whistles low. “Babe. You’re gonna give him a heart attack.”

“Good.” I grab my clutch. “Ready to watch me burn down the room, baby?”

Taking my hand, he grins. “Lead the way, wife of mine.”

The venue is packed. Reporters. Bloggers. Influencers. A few familiar vendors who wave sheepishly when they spot me.

Holden’s at the center of it, basking in the spotlight, standing next to his celebrity chef, who’s wearing a designer chef’s jacket. He spots me instantly and makes a show of coming over. “Roxy Ruiz!” He opens his arms theatrically. “The legend herself.”

My maiden name… really?

I smile coolly. “Holden. And it’s Roxy West as you well know.”

He waves his hand as though it was a simple mistake before kissing both of my cheeks. “God, you look incredible.” He gestures to the man next to him. It’s the guy who lost to Knox on Hottest Chef. “Are you familiar with my chef, Easton Calibre?”

Chase steps forward, sliding an arm around my waist and pulling me into his side. “She always does.” He holds his hand out to Easton. “Oh, yes, I believe you know our friend Knox Levi.”

Damn, baby. Savage.

Holden’s smile tightens. “Ah. Chase. Good to see you, man.”

Easton smiles. It’s friendly. “I know Knox well. It’s nice to meet friends of his.”

“You too,” Chase says calmly to both men. “Congrats on the catering gig.”

“Thanks.” Holden gestures grandly. “Big dreams, right?”

I sip my champagne while watching him over the rim of my glass. “Is that what this is? Or just another flex?”

He grins. “Why not both, Rox?”

We circle each other verbally all night. Chase stays glued to my side, quiet, solid, the rock I cling to without even realizing.

He slips off to the restroom about the time the dessert trays are walked around. Holden, as though waiting for this moment, corners me by the champagne tower.

“You’re really not going to work with me, Rox?” he asks softly. “Think of how good we could be.”

I look him dead in the face and wonder why I ever thought his too light eyes and thin lips were attractive. “Not in this lifetime, Holden.” He reminds me of a snake.

He exhales. “God, Rox. You’re the one that got away, and I’d do anything to get you back.”

Is he serious right now?

I smile faintly. “No, Holden. I’m the one that walked away, just like I’m doing now.”

I leave him standing there, feeling his gaze bore holes into my back. I nod at Easton on the way out. I hope he knows who he’s agreed to work with.

Chase meets me at the door.

“Well?” he asks.

I smile “Let’s go home, baby.”

He kisses me hard right in the doorway. He gets heated. When our lips retreat, he mutters, “My favorite words.

That night, tangled in sheets, his hand tracing lazy circles on my back, I whisper, “Thanks for being there tonight.”

He kisses my shoulder. “Always. You couldn’t get rid of me when you tried, so I’m damn sure not going anywhere now that you’re holding on, Roxy West.”

I’m not letting you go, Chase.