“And?” he demanded.
“And she’s your fiancée.”
“You’re fucking ripping me apart, Story.”
I snapped back to him. “I’m ripping you apart?” Was he fucking serious?
“For the first time in my life I can see myself throwing everything away, Snitch.” He pushed me against the window, cold glass biting through my dress. “And it’s not for the love of my life. It’s for the girl who stole it.”
My wrist on his chest bent backward. He pinned me with his eyes.
Me. He was talking about me.
“Grayson?”
I jerked my head at the voice, heart pounding for a new reason. Charlotte du Lac approached him in a pale-pink ball gown with intricate flowers embroidered in the thin tulle. The skirt was so big it looked like an overturned teacup. Her long black hair was pulled back, curls falling in waves down her back.
It was exquisite.
She was exquisite.
Grayson was still looking at me—still pinning me.
Then slowly he turned to see who had come.
“I had a feeling I’d find you here…” she said, brows knitted on me.
Find him here.
He’d brought her here. I don’t know why that cut me so sharply. It wasn’t like I was special.
“I know we’re supposed to be keeping everything somewhat on the DL, but what about one dance?” Her spaghetti strap bodice pushed her breasts up every time she spoke.
“Uh…” He took a step back, allowing space to breathe between us. He frowned at me, though, almost like he wanted me to say something. What? What could I say? That was his fiancée. Even if it wasn’t announced yet.
Me? I was…well, I wasn’t really anything. I was just the girl stealing their happily ever after.
This is why it couldn’t work.
This is why we were wrong.
I was a dirty secret.
When I said nothing, Gray took her hand, leading her to the dance floor, her arm intertwined with his.
STORY
* * *
Off to the side of the ballroom, against the wall, I watched Grayson dance with Lottie. They looked good together. Right.
“Showing your shoulders. Sort of.”
My spine stiffened at the voice. West.
I didn’t bother acknowledging him, or even turning to face him.
“Nice dress,” West continued. “Must have cost a fortune.”