Sophie keeps eye contact for what seems like an eternity, but then she looks away. My eyes plead with her, but she doesn’t seem to understand. I will her to look at me again, but she doesn’t.

Instead, she turns toward Mason. Why would she turn toward him of all the people in the room?

I want to walk over and tell her it’s not what it seems, but Emma is holding tightly onto my hand. Unless I make a scene, I’m trapped here with the evil Witch of the West until who knows how long.

What’s wrong with Alice? Why aren’t any of them coming over to speak to me? And Eric, where the fuck is Eric? Eric, who allegedly knows all about this.

I’m clenching my teeth so hard it hurts. My hands are by my side and balled into fists. I curse Emma silently. She really is a class A bitch. I need to fix things before they get out of hand.

Fuck the deal—I’m going over to set things straight.

Emma doesn’t let go of me. Instead, she leans into me and whispers.

“You’re not going to renege on our little deal, are you? Remember, all it takes is a few calls and offhand comments to reporters for Sophie’s little film to become a shit show.”

There’s that over powering perfume again nearly making me sick.

I shake my head.

“Good,” she murmurs and her lips brush over my cheeks.

Repulse builds in me.

Somewhere across the crowded room, I see Jordan. I try to get his attention, so he could come over. I want to ask him to pass a message to Sophie, but the bastard is deliberately ignoring me. Has Emma let him in on the deal?

Emma works her magic around the room. She’s a pro at making her way from group to group, staying only a few minutes if the people bore her, and longer if she thinks they may be of use to her.

As we socialize, she makes sure she is making body contact with me at all times. Obviously, she’s flaunting being with me. Try as I might to keep a professional distance between us, Emma does the opposite.

She’s either resting her hand on my shoulder, or she puts her whole arm around my waist. A couple of times, she kisses me on the cheek. Each time, I wipe off the offending lipstick.

“Let’s sit down, darling,” Emma purrs and points to a black leather lounge in front of a small round table. On the other side are several mushroom type stools, all of them occupied.

Grudgingly, I sit down. Promptly, Emma seats herself on top of me.

“Tone it down, will you?” I growl into her ear. At the same time, I grab her by the hips to push her off me.

“Darling, please not in front of all these people,” she shrieks and slides onto the couch next to me.

I’m about to say something, but she’s already talking to the people across from us.

“Todd can barely keep his hands off me.” More giggling. “He didn’t really want to come. Said we should get a room instead.”

She shoots me a playful glance.

“Champagne, please,” she calls to a waiter who is walking past with a tray of drinks.

“Listen,” I whisper into her ear but again, but she stops me.

“You listen to me,” she says. “I’m only just getting started. And need I remind you of our deal? More than ruining the film, I can withdraw my rights. Yeah, that’s right,” she adds, watching the stunned expression on my face. “I’ve managed to secure some of the rights. I can kill have this film killed easily.”

She smiles brightly, takes a sip of her drink and continues.

“And surely, little Toddy does not want that, does he now?”

With a sigh of defeat, I shake my head. The bitch does really have me by my short and curlies.

The evening drags on. I pay very little attention to any of the conversation around me. Sophie is surrounded by people. I wish I was one of them.

She seems to be drinking too much. I didn’t know her to be a big drinker, and I can’t help but be surprised by the number of shots she’s downing.

Alice is with her and both of them are laughing. Mason is also there.

Mason. Good ol’ Mason.

Of course, he would be there to comfort her. Since day one, I knew Mason had the hots for Sophie. She is, of course, oblivious to the effect she has on men.

Sophie downs another shot and takes a step. She wobbles, stumbles and then falls. Alice giggles. I want to go and help her up. I make to stand but Emma’s hand moves onto my thigh with lightning speed.

I stay where I am. Emma giggles and says something. I don’t pay any attention. A photographer comes over to us.

“Smile for the camera,” he says and snaps a photo. Emma wraps herself around me.

“Can you take another one please?”

Snap. He does.

Sophie is back on her feet. She’s wiping the front of her dress. Alice seems to be saying something to her.

I wish I knew what they were talking about. Fuck, I wish I was there with them. If I were, Sophie wouldn’t be getting drunk the way she is.

I wonder how she’s getting home. Just then Alice hands Mason car keys.

Mason puts them into his pocket. Then he puts one arm around Sophie’s waist, whilst the other supports her around her shoulders. Her head rests on his chest.

My heart is beating so wildly, I think it might burst out of my chest any second.

I should be there. That should be me.

Now Alice hands Mason Sophie’s bag and all I can do is watch as he gently maneuvers her toward the back of the restaurant. Clever man.

He’s going to take her out the back exit, make sure she does not come to the attention of the press. It wouldn’t do much for Sophie’s image to have a photo taken from the venue, plastered and then have it spread all over the papers tomorrow morning.

I envy Mason. I envy him so much it’s starting to fucking hurt. Why is he the one looking after Sophie when it should be me?

Fool, fool, fool, my inner voice reminds me.