“Why did you agree when I asked for your help after the auction?”
The conversation had stopped making sense to him several minutes ago.
“And be honest with me.”
“I thought you must be desperate if you asked me to pretend we were together.”
“That's the only reason?” she asked, sounding unconvinced.
“Yeah, what can I say? I enjoy helping people. Ask Alec or Matt. They'll tell you that.”
Tory moved to the edge of the sofa, breaking contact. “I wish I believed that was the only reason.”
“What the—” Duncan stopped and considered his words. “You haven't been yourself since we came in here. What's going on, Tory?” That sounded a little more diplomatic than what he'd almost said. “Do you think I agreed because of the donation you made to the animal shelter? I would've helped you even if you hadn't offered.”
“No, I think you agreed because of my connections.”
If she were into practical jokes, he'd think this entire conversation was a horrible one.
“Just like Grant and Luke,” she added.
The only thing he had in common with Grant was they both had Y chromosomes and could easily pee standing up. He didn’t know who Luke was, but he doubted he had anything else in common with him either.
He wanted to grab her shoulders and shake some sense into her; instead, Duncan dragged a hand through his hair. Where was her crazy thought coming from tonight?
“I don't know what happened between when we left here this afternoon and now, but how can you think I'm with you for your connections?”
“The other day, you told Harper you'd do anything for her at dinner. And then today, you conveniently work her into a conversation with Brett.”
Had she bumped her head today when he wasn’t looking? She was talking complete nonsense.
“Stop me if I get something wrong. When I agreed to help you, I secretly hoped our relationship would continue after the wedding so that I could use your connections and help my sister’s political career. One that hasn’t even started yet. Do you know how absurd that sounds?”
“People have done crazy things to get what they want. And hey, you know what? We both got what we wanted, right? Grant more or less left me alone at the wedding. You helped your sister and got Lori Ann off your back.”
Unable to sit any longer, he stood and walked toward the windows. When he reached them, he turned and walked back. “Everything you just said is bullshit.”
He no longer cared about his word choice. “If I wanted a political connection, I could've asked Alec to introduce me to your cousin. Hell, I could've asked for an invitation to the New Year's Eve party in Newport so that I could talk to President Sherbrooke.”
Duncan had only attended the party once, but according to Alec, his Uncle Warren had only missed the party twice in the past fifteen years, so there was an excellent chance he’d be there this year.
Tory's frown deepened. “I wish I believed that, Duncan. But I'm not sure I do. You wouldn’t be the first man who wanted to be with me because of my political connections.”
They had no future together if she didn't believe him, and he should ask her to leave. But first, he needed to get something off his chest.
“You're not the only one who's had people use you. I have. Both Alec and Matt have as well. It happens, and yeah, it sucks.”
“Trust me, I realize that, but that doesn't change anything. We both got something out of our time together, and maybe it's time to go our separate ways.”
A vise twisted in his chest, but he didn't argue with her or ask her to reconsider. If Tory believed this crap, she didn't know him at all.
“Maybe you're right.”
* * *
Tory expectedDuncan to follow her as she walked out of the entertainment room and grabbed her jacket. Even as she stood waiting for the elevator, she thought he'd come out and ask her to come back inside so he could continue to argue his case. When he didn't, it only reinforced the conclusion she'd reached. He didn't care about her. Grant had been right. Duncan was with her because of her connections, just like Grant and Luke. At least she'd figured it out sooner this time than when she'd been with Luke. Unfortunately, she'd learned the truth after falling in love with Duncan.
Tossing her jacket and purse on a chair in her condo, she pulled on the first pair of pj’s her hand touched. Then, before leaving her bedroom, she grabbed her cell phone. A glance at the screen showed one message from her mom.