The Game (Wagered Hearts Series, #3)(42)

I looked at him curiously and was just about to ask him who, when he answered for me. "Ryan and Mel," he said as if reading my thoughts.

"Oh right, I'd forgotten you all knew each other," I said.

"Sometimes I'd like to forget I know Ryan too," Roman joked.

"Have you been in contact with them lately?" Lily asked, just as another burst of laughter came from the corner where Rob was standing.

I fought the urge to look in that direction, but it was damn near impossible. Thankfully, Roman was extremely tall and blocked most of them from my sight. Even if I wanted to stare at them, I would have to crane my neck around him to get a good look.

"Um...not for a while now. Last I heard, they were going on a safari and would be travelling for the next few months," I answered.

A tinkling of glass caught the attention of the room and we looked toward the center of the ballroom, where a small dais was set up. Rob's parents stood there, his father holding a mic in his hand.

"Thank you all for coming to our anniversary party. I can't believe it's been 40 years since this amazing, brilliant, beautiful woman became my wife. It has been such a wonderful 40 years, and I hope I get at least 40 more to spend with her," Rob's dad said to a round of applause.

"Hear Hear!" the room erupted in a toast. I lifted my own glass and drained it in one shot, then looked around for a waiter to fill me up.

Roman and Lilly were called away by some other friends of theirs and I was left standing alone again. Even though they were friendly, and I would have probably gotten along well with them on any other occasion, I was grateful they had left. They knew too much, and the way they kept glancing between Rob and me made me uncomfortable and a little bit irritated. It was like they were having a silent conversation about Rob and me, as if I wasn't standing right there.

I looked at my watch and saw that it was just before 11pm. I figured I'd been here long enough and could make my exit without drawing too much attention or speculation. Before I could find Rob's parents to take my leave, I caught sight of Rob and the brunette walking arm in arm across the ballroom, and toward the exit. They came within five feet of me, but Rob didn't even turn his head in my direction to acknowledge me. He just looked down at the brunette, smiling that stupid smile of his. I wanted to punch him in the face.

Once they passed me, I was half tempted to follow them out and give Rob and the woman a piece of my mind. It was so disrespectful and humiliating, I was sure no one could blame me if I lost my temper. But I decided they weren't worth it. I wouldn't lower myself by making a scene in front of all these people. Instead, I held my head up and walked toward the other exit and strode out the room, not making eye contact with anyone. All I wanted was to get away.

I walked up the stairs and back to my room, and before I had a chance to think or pause, I took off my dress and started packing my things. There was no way I would be spending one more minute in this house with him. I'd fly back to LA tonight, and tomorrow, I'd go to my lawyer's office and let him know the engagement was over.





Chapter 19: Rob



I could feel several pairs of eyes pinning my back as I stood and talked to Cordelia. Like I had assumed, Cordelia was more than happy to keep me company tonight. Eager, really. Her eyes lit up as I crossed the room to her and I smiled, feeling a boost to my ego. I was only a man, after all.

Cordelia was as pretty as ever and flirted with me shamelessly. I tried to concentrate on my conversation with her, but I wasn't really in a position to enjoy her attention. My mind kept going back to Emilia, wondering where she was and what she was doing. Did she let Peter Stanwick kiss her? Were they still at the house or had they gone off somewhere more private? What if they were in her bedroom? The thought sent a jolt of flaming hot anger surging through me. I clenched my fists at my side as I fought the urge to track them down and beat the shit out of Peter.

"What's the matter?" Cordelia asked, looking at me in alarm.

"Nothing," I snapped. "I'm just a little tired," I added, after seeing the distress on her face.

She relaxed instantly, and reached out a hand to rub my forearm. "Poor baby," she said, batting her eyelashes at me. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"How about we get out of here and figure it out together," I suggested.

I don't know what made me say it, but the words were out before I could take them back. And I didn't know if I even wanted to. What harm would it do to leave with Cordelia at this point? Emilia had already left with Peter, and they were now doing God only knew what in my parent's house. Just thinking about it again made me angry, and I was even more determined to leave with Cordelia.

She looked surprised, but pleased as well. "What about your fiancée?" she asked.




"Don't worry about her. She won't mind. She's not really my fiancée. It's all an act for publicity," I said.

Cordelia's eyes widened in shock, but she didn't say anything. I felt slightly guilty for divulging that bit of information, but the alcohol had loosened my tongue, and I was feeling reckless. The effort of having to keep up this pretense was starting to wear on me and I felt like an animal in a cage.

"Oh," she said, her eyes gleaming. "If that's the case, then let's go."