“No, not at all,” CC says so sweetly, and it surprises me so much that I stop. She doesn’t?
“You don’t?” I ask before I can stop myself.
“Of course not. It’s all business. Right, Cammie?”
“Of course. Claude runs her own business, Gray. Of course she knows how this is done. She knows she’d just be in your way.”
“She wouldn’t—” I start again.
“I’ll be here waiting when you get back, Gray,” CC says, and she looks perfectly happy. I can’t tell if I’m falling into a trap or if she’s sincere. I’m still trying to figure it out when Cammie pulls me into the other room.
“Grayson! I was just wondering where you were,” Riverton says as we reach his side.
“I’m running a little late,” I tell him, looking over my shoulder to see if I can get a look at CC. I can’t find her anywhere. Did she just leave me here? Shit. I have to get out of here…
“It’s fine. Adams and I were just wondering how you like our greens. How about we take you for a quick tour?”
“Well, sir,” I start, but he cuts me off.
“Adams here is interested in working with you to create a line of clubs.”
“Clubs?”
“Exactly that, Lucas. And I’d like you to be the face of them.”
“Well, sir, I don’t know if I’d want my ugly mug on anything,” I joke, still trying to look around behind me for CC. I catch a glimpse of her smiling in the corner and talking to someone, which allows me to breathe a little easier. Maybe I’m overreacting after all.
“You’re the last person I ever expected to see here, CC!”
I look up at Jason and can’t help but smile. He doesn’t mean anything by it; he knows me and he knows everything that’s gone down between me, Cammie, and her father. He’s a hundred percent right. This is the last place I would choose to be. I’ve known Jason my whole life. His parents have money, and he does by default, I guess, but he doesn’t lord it over people. He’s as nice and easygoing as they come. In fact, I’m kind of surprised he’s here himself.
“No offense, but I didn’t really think I’d find you here either.”
“Yeah, it’s not my favorite thing, but my parents are out of town and mom is one of the ones that started this horse and pony show.”
“Ah. Family blackmail?”
“Exactly,” he laughs.
“What are you doing here? Not that I’m not glad to see you, but… well, you’re not exactly dressed for the black and white gala.”
I look down at my dress with a wry smile.
“Yeah, I’m a little…”
“Colorful?” Jason supplies helpfully and I have to laugh.
“Pretty much,” I sigh. “My boyfriend picked out the dress. I’m afraid he didn’t know about the whole black and white thing,” I tell him, and I’m pretty sure that’s the case after hearing Cammie talk. I’d lay odds that she’s somehow responsible.
“Oh, wow. I didn’t know you were dating someone. Who’s the lucky guy?”
That’s when it hits me. I referred to Gray as my boyfriend. My boyfriend. How did that happen? My heart speeds up and, for a moment, I think I might hyperventilate. My boyfriend!? Oh, God. What have I done?
“You okay, CC?” Jason asks because—well, heck, I don’t know. Maybe he can read the panic on my face. If anything is true in this moment, it’s the fact that I am in major panic mode.
“Umm… yeah, I think I just need to catch my breath. My dress may be a little tight. Excuse me a minute, Jason.” I don’t wait for him to answer, heading out of the room because the air in here feels as if it is suffocating me. I head towards the restrooms and see a small side entrance that says “Employees Only”. I head there. I don’t really know why except I know that’s the one place I won’t see Cammie Riverton and I don’t want her to see me when I’m in the middle of a meltdown. I don’t want to give her that satisfaction.
Once I get there, I drag air into my lungs. It shouldn’t come as such a huge shock that I have feelings for Gray—that I care for him. I mean, I am sleeping with him. Somehow, however, it is. I have a boyfriend. I have a rich, famous boyfriend. What the fuck am I doing? I look out the window and try and get control of myself. That was probably the worst thing I could do, however, because Gray is standing there… but he’s alone. Alone with Cammie. Something inside of me twists in pain as I see her reach up to brush something off of his face. Gray’s back is to me so I can’t see what he’s doing, but seeing them like this is enough. I can’t handle it. I need to leave. I need to get back to my world. I’ve just been kidding myself.