He stood up silently and despite the bomb I’d just thrown his way, offered me his arm.
“Thank you for this evening,” I blurted out as we reached the exit. “No matter what happens, it’s a moment I’ll never forget.”
James finally looked back at me and grabbed my hand, bringing it to his lips.
“I had a lovely evening and this revelation doesn’t change a thing,” he replied before putting my hand back on his arm and walking down to the car waiting for us.
I was grateful for the silent drive back as I pretended to be engrossed by London’s night scenery.
I let out a little sigh of relief as we turned to my street, ready to call it a night.
“I’d like to see you again,” he added as we stopped in front of my building.
So close…I turned to him. “The situation is complicated.”
“Yes, I understand that, but I think you are worth it. So, uncomplicate whatever is happening or not happening with St-John and whoever else,” he added, letting his eyes drop down to my stomach. “And then give me a call.” He offered me his card and I took it.
“Have a good night, beautiful Ava.”
“You too,” I let out on a high pitch as he leaned forward but only kissed my cheek.
“I really hope I’ll hear from you soon.”
I nodded again and exited the car, almost stumbling to the door, feeling a rush over tonight’s events.
James thought Hugo was jealous, but was he? He surely looked like it and despite everything, it made my heart beat a little faster.
Why couldn’t I feel for James what I felt for Hugo? It would make everything so much easier. No matter how much he irritated and angered me, it was time to admit it was not only aggravation I felt for Hugo St-John. I was besotted with him too and I had to smother that fast if I ever wanted to truly move on.
Chapter 16
Hugo
Ihadnotplannedfor the evening to go the way it went. I had acted on impulse, which was so unlike me.
I was getting out of the shower when I received her message, and I kept my eyes on the screen much longer than I’d ever admit to anyone.
I’d been surprised to receive it. I'd always teased her, reminding her of our night together, wanting to torture her just as that memory torturedme. But with this photo, she was the one crossing the line and she was the one playing the game she’d always refused to take part in.
I traced her silhouette with my finger. The dress was quite conservative and there was no way for someone to know she was pregnant.
I could tell, though, because despite all my efforts to purge my attraction to the woman, I had a hard time not looking at her body. I rested my finger on her cleavage; her breasts were bigger now, rounder… I let my finger trail down the photo. Her hips were wider and even if we could not see it with this dress, the one she’d worn the previous night showed her more voluptuous curves.
She had been delicious before, with the body of a goddess, but now she could bring a weaker man to his knees. But I was not weak and I had enough restraint to fight this.
Or so I kept telling myself when on an irrational impulse, I grabbed my blue tuxedo, aware that it would match her dress, and made my way to the Royal Albert Hall, knowing that I had permanent access and could see her there without being seen.
I refused to really entertain the reasons that pushed me to go spy on Hardings and Ava.
I would call it morbid curiosity, a way to get ammunition against her and him—something I could use whenever necessary, because it was much harder to accept that it might simply be because I cared.
It was all so impulsive and I could only imagine how much grief Ben would give me for it. Not that I blamed him. I didn’t deserve any more consideration.
When I made it to the theater, I took the private side entrance that led only to the Golden Box, not ready to see Ava and Hardings yet. I wanted to observe, see how much genuine interest he had for her and how much of it was just to annoy me.
I let out a little huff of relief when I noticed that the booth was only occupied by two minor royals I was only remotely acquainted with, which meant I would not have to make pointless conversation.
I gave them a brief nod and sat at the end of the row, hidden by the thick red velvet curtains but with enough view of all the balconies. I scanned the loggia boxes one by one, trying to locate Hardings.