“How can I mirror you tonight? I never would’ve thought you’d wear the same dress twice.”
Her head snaps back, and it makes my petty little heart sing, even though I’d never call someone out the way I just did her. Honestly, who cares if she’s wearing a recycled dress. I’ve wanted to wear the same thing more than once because I have some killer dresses that deserve to shine multiple times, but the fear of being gossiped about kept me from doing so. Thankfully, this is the last event I have to worry about for the year, and I’ve already trimmed down next year’s calendar.
“I’d never.” She glares at me over the top of her drink before her eyes roam the room to see if anyone else is thinking the same thing.
“You wore that very same Dolce and Gabbana to the Spring Fling last year.”
She swallows her vitriol as two tuxedoed men walk past, and I know it’s just killing her not to immediately spit some bullshit my way. I’ve never been in a fight in my life, and I would never intentionally embarrass my parents, but Dani has the ability to make both of those things change tonight. Fire is raging through my blood. Add in the fact that I’ve slept like crap for the last two months, and I’m seconds away from an episode of Snapped.
“They’re similar, but not the same,” she argues.
I just drain my glass. Arguing will get me nowhere, and I’ve wasted years of my life on this woman. Thankfully, a distraction approaches.
“Good evening,” I say, doing my best to hide my smirk as Dani practically twitches beside me.
Charles Warren leans in to kiss both of my cheeks before stepping aside so his beautiful wife, Brooke, can greet me with a quick hug. Both ignore Dani, and I hope she’s dying inside from the mistakes she’s made. I imagine it’s another slap in the face for the man you left your first husband for to saunter up with his gorgeous wife. The huge diamond on her finger sparkles in the chandelier light, and I do a little happy dance to see that it’s an upgrade from the stone he presented Dani with years ago.
“I hear you’re working with your father,” Charles says, his arm wrapping tightly around his wife’s back.
I’m so grateful he was able to break free of Dani. It would be a shame for another man to get tangled up in her selfish web.
“Working for my father,” I clarify with a bright, genuine smile. “It’s entry level.”
“Builds character,” Charles responds. “Brooke has decided to stay home once the baby gets here.”
Dani gasps, but the couple standing in front of me don’t spare her a glance. Dani tried pulling the I’m pregnant, don’t leave me card when Charles caught her cheating, and even back then I was shocked how easy it was to purchase positive pregnancy tests online. But Charles is a smart man, and after insisting on a visit to his personal doctor, the lie was uncovered and he walked away.
“Congrats!” I hug Brooke a second time, truly happy for them. She isn’t showing yet, but that doesn’t keep her hands from roaming to her lower belly protectively.
We chat for a few moments longer before they say their goodbyes.
I don’t move a muscle, knowing what’s coming next. Regardless of our conversation last month at the martini bar, Dani can’t resist the urge to gossip, and she’s so self-centered she can’t operate in a life where I’m not stuck right by her side. I honestly don’t think she believes that we’re no longer friends even though I haven’t spoken to or seen her since I walked out of the bar until tonight. I’m not missing from her life. I’m sure she thinks I’m still in her corner because she hasn’t needed me at all this month.
“She’s going to look like a cow in a couple of months.”
Right on cue.
“Her face is already bloated.”
It’s not, but even if it was, Brooke would still look amazing.
“She’s absolutely gorgeous. She and Charles are going to have beautiful kids.” I lift my champagne glass to my lips, finding it drained. Instead of flagging down a waitress, I set the flute down on the table beside me and clasp my hands. So much for my goal to drink more this evening. I can’t lose my wits around the vile woman standing beside me.
“What is wrong with you?”
I smile, giving a quick wave to another couple as they walk past, and I can practically feel Dani growing even more agitated beside me. It’s the little things in life, the cheap thrills that I live for these days.
“Seriously?” she spits when I continue to ignore her. “Is this still about Deacon?”
My heart gallops with his name. Although I’ve been unsuccessful with keeping him from my mind, I’m not in the same circles as he is. I haven’t heard his name spoken once since the night I walked away from Dani, and it hits me square in the chest.