Diamonds (All that Glitters #1)(44)

All that tension left Bryna stressed and erratic. So, she focused her attention on the charity benefit. She dove head first into planning and tomorrow night all her efforts would pay off. If she could get through the benefit, then things would go back to being as perfect as they had been in St. Barts.

That meant being a supportive friend to Gates on his big day. She had gone all out, wearing a stunning blue Alberta Ferretti original paired with flashy patterned Louboutin high heels. Gates was in a classic tuxedo and looked dashing.

“Gates, one picture with your date, please,” a female reporter requested.

Gates wrapped an arm around Bryna’s waist, and they both smiled for the camera.

The camera crew snapped a few shots.

When they were done, the woman said, “You make a great couple.”

Bryna felt her cheeks heat, and she glanced at Gates.

“Thank you,” he said.

“Our readers have been asking whether or not you are still taken. Some thought, or maybe were hoping, your relationship was over.” The reporter laughed and conspiratorially smiled at Bryna. “We’d love to hear your love story.”

“Oh, we’re not—” Bryna started to say.

“We prefer to keep our personal life private,” Gates said instead.

The reporter switched tactics. “Everyone saw you two together on New Year’s. I even heard there was a kiss,” she said, raising her eyebrows. “Can you confirm that?”

“We were together for New Year’s,” Gates acknowledged. “But I don’t kiss and tell.”

“A gentleman,” the reporter acknowledged. “Is it true that you were recently spotted out in Las Vegas together as well?”

Gates nodded. “That’s right.”

“A budding romance. Can you tell us how you feel about her?”

Bryna kept her fake smile on her face, but she was ready to get out of this situation. Pretending with Gates was fine for the red carpet, but it was enough that her stepmother thought they were still dating. She didn’t need the rest of the world to know that as well.

“We already said, we keep our lives private,” she said.

“Bri, it’s okay if they know,” Gates said, squeezing her waist.

She raised her eyebrows at him in confusion. “Know what?”

“How I feel about you,” Gates said softly. His eyes stared into her, all bright blue and pleading. He looked like he wanted to tell her something, like he’d been holding it in for a while. “Everyone else seems to know but you anyway.”

Bryna’s mouth opened slightly in surprise. He is not doing this right now!

“Gates, are you saying you love her?” the reporter asked, thrusting the microphone forward. “Care to comment further?”

“No, he does not,” Bryna said. She took his hand and marched him down the rest of the red carpet and inside the theater.

Bryna had been here before for her father’s premieres, so she quickly found them an empty room. She shoved Gates inside and glared at him.

“What the f*ck was that about?” she demanded.

He glared right back at her. “What the f*ck do you think it was about, Bri?”

“I came to this premiere with you because we’re friends, which I’ve said to you over and over again. I agreed to go months ago. And you have been so good to me lately that I wanted to do something nice for you, but I’m not your girlfriend!”

“You think I don’t know that?” he growled. “You remind me every chance you get. I can’t help that I’m in love with you, Bri.”

Bryna rolled her eyes. Is he really playing this game? “Stop! We’re not even in front of the cameras. You don’t have to bullshit me and pretend that you’re in love!”

Gates’s eyes flashed with anger. “Pretend? You think I’m f*cking pretending? I do love you, Bri. I have for a long time.”

She shook her head. He had no idea what he was saying. It wasn’t true. It couldn’t be. “No, you don’t.”

“If I could love someone else, don’t you think I would have already done it? You’re a psychotic bitch most of the time, and you drive me crazy, but I love you.” He threw his hands out and stomped across the room, away from her. “For some unknown f*cking reason.”

“You’re just saying that because I’m with someone else now.” God, she hoped that was the case.

“Do you f*cking hear yourself? You are out of your goddamn mind. And don’t even bring that f*cker into this conversation.”

“Jude?” she asked.

“Yeah. Fuck that guy!”

“What is wrong with you?”

He looked manic.

Where is this all coming from?

He flung his hands up in the air. “Wrong with me? You’re the one who thinks you’re in love with this guy. He’s deluded you with presents and exotic trips, so you think that’s f*cking love, but he’s just using you.”

“You don’t even know him!” Bryna cried angrily. How dare he throw all this out at me now!

“I don’t f*cking need to. I know how he treats you, and I know what he said to me that night in Vegas. That’s all I need to know about this guy to know he’s a f*cking douche.”