“Not at all,” she says curtly.
“Well, while you’re in your own little world, Colin is going to give me a tour of the house.” Prentiss lifts a brow. “I trust you’ll hold down the fort.”
“I have everything under control.”
“The party, Sutton ...” Prentiss’s shrewd eyes scour the bustling scene.
Her heart leaps. But she rubs her lips together, playing it cool, waiting for words of praise, of validation that all her hard work paid off. “Yes?”
“It’s fine,” he says, checking his watch.
She laughs under her breath in disbelief as Prentiss walks away without further comment. Asshole.
She doesn’t know why she bothers. Why she’s working so hard for approval she’ll never get. He reminds her of her father. Distant. Narcissistic. Withholding.
Bullshit. It’s all bullshit.
With a sigh, Lacey turns her attention to happier sights.
Only the sights aren’t happy.
What she sees hits her like a bucket of ice water. Autumn and Seth cozied up in a corner of the courtyard, deep in conversation. Autumn presses up against Seth and he nods, his hand on her hip, his expression riveted. Lacey’s breath hitches. Her heart drops like an anchor.
A pang of pain pierces her as she realizes Seth isn’t hers. Another pang as she realizes she wants him to be.
She has to get away. From Seth and the sight of him and Autumn. From her heartbeat. Pounding out an SOS signal of want she can’t ignore anymore.
Lacey whirls out of the foyer, rushing down a narrow corridor to duck into the library. She bypasses the mahogany built-ins filled with books and moves to the cobblestone patio. The doors are open, showcasing the gentle bubble of a fountain. A grove of arched trees and vines. Idyllic, peaceful, moonlit.
Blinking back tears, she looks out at the sky, at the glittering city lights.
She waited too long. Held back her joy. And what did it get her? Nothing.
“Shame,” a deep rumble says, breaking her thoughts. “Can’t even see the stars.”
Anger flares in her at the sight of Seth, stepping through the patio doors like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
“Then go back to Nashville,” she snaps.
His eyes widen in confusion at her sudden outburst. “Hey, whoa.” He lifts the glasses of whiskey, striding toward her. “I’ve been lookin’ for you. We’re drinkin’ whiskey tonight, remember?”
Lacey wants to hurl it at him. Instead, she snatches it out of his hand and shoots it down in one quick swallow. She breathes through the burn, ignoring Seth’s impressed expression. She crosses her arms. Squares her shoulders. “Have a nice chat with Autumn?”
He frowns. Then grins. “Why, you jealous?”
She wants to hit him. “Shut up, Seth.”
His smile grows wider. “You think I like her?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. No.” She reddens. “I mean, I don’t want you to.”
Seth’s face softens. “Relax, princess. That girl’s drunk as a skunk. Couldn’t even stand up straight.”
“I didn’t like seeing that,” she admits before she can chicken out. She’s trying to play it cool, but she can’t. Not anymore. The last three days have been some of the best she’s had, and now they feel like a cheat. “Any of that. You and her. And it’s stupid because I have no right to be jealous because you’re not ... you’re not mine.”
There. She’s said it. Every honest thing she’s wanted to say finally out in one long ramble at the worst possible time. Colin’s party. Not to mention, she’s sweating too. Nerves have her so hot, she’s practically soaking through her dress.
Seth stares at her, the faint smile on his face unreadable.