Nathan had been clinging to the hope of a someday that deep down he’d never believed would come. Someday he’d make Beto proud. Someday his mother would choose him over his father. Someday he and Joe could be just brothers instead of burdens to each other. But the man he imagined in all those somedays wasn’t really him. That’s what Joe had been trying to say. That the man he was, this man, the weird afterthought with blurry non-dragons and too many feelings, this was the man they were all supporting tonight. Because they loved him, and because he was enough.
Joe’s gaze drifted past his shoulder, and Nathan turned to see Rachel standing a few feet away. She extended a tentative hand.
“Will you dance with me?”
Nathan didn’t move. He looked at the dance floor, which was dotted with older couples, swaying to the last notes of the saxophonist’s solo. Rachel had to know they would attract attention. Her fingers curled back slightly, like she was losing her nerve. But then she met his eyes and whispered, “Please.”
The word cut through him, even after everything.
The band started playing again. He ignored her hand and reached for her waist instead, pulling her into his arms. A dozen eyes swung their way, but he wouldn’t allow himself to care. What if this was his last chance to hold her like this? After tonight there were no more excuses—no galas to force them into each other’s lives.
“I wasn’t sure you would come,” Rachel said. She slid both hands up to his shoulders. “I’m glad you did.”
He looked around. The sly looks had turned to staring and whispering. Her fingers grazed the nape of his neck. Nathan met her eyes again. “Where’s your husband?”
He was trying to shock her into realizing they were making a scene, but she didn’t blink. “I miss you, Nathan.”
His throat tightened and every messy, lovesick feeling he’d tried to ignore over the last three weeks flooded him at once. “Don’t. It doesn’t matter.”
“Yes, it does. It does.” She gripped him tighter. “Please listen—”
“I don’t even know why I’m here.” He shook his head. “To see you, that’s why. I’m a goddamn masochist. How many ways can you break my heart before I stop giving it to you?” He lowered his mouth to her ear and spoke in a harsh whisper. “I’d be inside you right now if you said you wanted me.” She tightened her hand on his neck. The buzzing chatter swirling around them was rising. He looked up and locked eyes with a short redhead who had stopped dancing to stare. “But they’re always watching,” he said, staring back. The woman blushed and looked away.
Rachel caught his gaze again. “So let them watch.”
“May I have your attention?”
Rachel felt Nathan’s arm slack around her waist as Hailey’s amplified voice pulled his attention to the stage. Rachel wanted to pull it back. She’d rehearsed this moment so many times. How she’d tell him that she was done with the Abbotts. That she was sorry for hurting him and that she’d do whatever it took to earn his forgiveness. She would give him space if he needed it. She could probably use it too, at least until her divorce was final. She had explanations and plans and timelines, but it all evaporated once he took her into his arms.
But she also knew that tonight wasn’t about her apologies. It was about Nathan and all the work he’d put into this moment. A moment that had inexplicably been hijacked by Matt’s communications director.
Rachel spun around, searching for Sofia. Nathan told her that his mother had left a while ago to call Beto. Hailey said, “Is this on?” and slapped her hand against the microphone. It made a muffled thumping sound, followed by a high-pitched squeal of feedback.
“Welcome to the gala! I’m Hailey Dearwood, communications director for our esteemed Mayor Abbott, who’s hosting the event with…” She scanned the room until she spotted Rachel. “There she is! Rachel Abbott. Please applaud her. She deserves it.”
Servers froze in the middle of placing salads on the tables. The program wasn’t supposed to start until after they’d served dessert. The room broke into a slow, confused applause.
“Rachel is amazing,” Hailey continued. “She makes me feel inadequate in every way.” The microphone flopped to one side. She looked flushed and unsteady, eyeing the crowd like a rock singer about to launch herself into a mosh pit.
“Is she drunk?” Rachel whispered.
Nathan touched her arm. “Do you want me to do something?”
A group of men in navy blazers were poised to rush the stage if someone signaled. It would cause a huge scene. So far, the damage was minor. “I’ll handle it.” She started to move closer but stopped when Hailey pointed to her again.
“Would you look at her? God, that dress! She looks like a supermodel.” She peered into the crowd and yelled, “Chime in whenever you want, Mayor.”
A tense chuckle filled the room. Matt sat at a table near the front. He didn’t laugh. He stared at Hailey as though he didn’t recognize her.
“Rachel was supposed to do this part of the evening. But she works so hard, I thought she deserved a break. She also deserves our gratitude. As of thirty minutes ago, this is officially the biggest fundraiser that the Vasquez Foundation has ever held. This woman has outraised every single prior event.”
The crowd went from confused to appreciative, their applause louder, peppered with a few excited shouts. Hailey spoke into the microphone as their claps faded. “You all sound so surprised. I don’t blame you. I’m shocked too.” She snorted. “That sounds so mean. But seriously, how would we know? Did you know she was brilliant?” She pointed to someone in the crowd. “How about you? Did you know?”
Hailey strolled across the stage. “She’s just so pretty.” She spat the last word like a curse. “You all know what I mean. Everyone in this town is pretty and perfect, but really, no one is. Deep down we’re all ugly inside. Selfish. And greedy. But we keep pretending because we all want…” She stopped walking when she reached Matt and stared down at him with watery eyes. “We all just want the fairy tale.”
Rachel gasped. “Oh my god,” she breathed. “It’s her.”
“What?” Nathan grabbed her arm.
“Matt’s mistress.” Rachel closed her eyes. “I am so stupid. Of course she is.”
“Hailey.” Matt moved to the stage with the forced smile of a maniacal Cheshire cat. He gestured for her to come down. “I think that’s enough.”
Hailey glared. “I already know what you think. I know everything about you.” She pointed to Rachel. “And you don’t deserve her. She’s put up with so much from you without one fucking word of complaint.” Hailey laughed, a harsh chuckle that echoed through the stunned ballroom. She looked at Rachel. “I admire you for being the bigger woman.” Her eyes glazed with tears. She looked at Matt, and her anguish flattened into bitter loathing. “But I’m not.”
Hailey grabbed the sheet covering one of Nathan’s pieces and pulled it away. Rachel closed her eyes. She knew what was coming. The shocked murmur that rippled through the crowd confirmed it. Hailey had switched the portraits before the gala. It was her. Naked.