Chapter Twenty-Four
Cierra
For the past two weeks, Trace wined, dined, and introduced me to his friends. We spent every night together, either at my place or his. Our time together was like a roller-coaster ride: thrilling, exhilarating, and euphoric. I wouldn’t have traded the time for anything. And something wonderful happened to me—I fell in love with him. Mad, passionate, crazy love, and it was both freeing and terrifying. I was scared he didn’t feel the same, or he’d run away if I told him. I didn’t want him to feel pressured or cornered by my feelings, so I chose not to share them with him. Even though we hadn’t known each other all that long, the love I had for him was real and deep. We’d had a connection from the beginning that pulled us like a magnet, and we were powerless to break the attraction.
We still kept a low profile at work, but Trace told me he wanted me to meet his grandmother and mother. I couldn’t believe he wanted to take that step, but I was thrilled about it. My phone rang and I picked it up, expecting Trace’s voice on the other end.
“Cierra?”
My heart sank—it was Cory. “What do you want?” It’d been a couple of weeks since the fight, and I really thought I’d never hear from him again, which was exactly what I’d wanted.
“We need to talk. You’re making a big mistake trusting Trace Prescott. He’s using you.”
“I think I can decide who I want to date. You need to let it go, Cory. I’m sorry it didn’t work out, but you’re a great guy and I’m sure—”
“Don’t feed me with a bunch of platitudes. It’s beneath you.” Ice had crept into his voice. I shivered.
“I have to go.”
“He’s seeing Kelsey again.”
I blinked rapidly as my thoughts scrambled to understand. Trace back with Kelsey? No way. But then I recalled how smug Kelsey had been acting when we went to our girls’ night out at the martini bar. I shook my head. There’s no way.
“I know it’s shocking, but that’s the way he operates. He’s so used to getting everything he wants that he forgets how his actions hurt people. He’s an asshole, Cierra. You’re a fool to believe him.”
“I have to go. I wish you all the best in your life.” I clicked off, but his words rang in my ears most of the morning. I hated the sliver of doubt that pierced my brain, though I knew I was being silly. Trace wouldn’t do that to me. I knew him, and he wasn’t the man in the tabloids, or the one Kelsey ranted about after their breakup. He was a decent, loving guy. He was my Trace, and he wouldn’t do that to me.
Putting it out of my mind, I turned to the computer and began working on Absolute Glam. We’d gotten the account back when DGT agency couldn’t deliver what they’d promised. I was so thrilled with it that it made the day fly by. I couldn’t wait to meet up with Trace at my place later. He’d planned a dinner cruise with live entertainment for us, and I was beyond excited. That didn’t sound like a guy who’d gotten back together with his ex, did it?
I was totally absorbed with the account when Lena, one of the clerks from admin, walked in. She smiled at me as she approached the desk.
Looking all around, she leaned in and whispered, “Our boss has his hands full today.”
Taking off my computer glasses, I swiveled to face her. “What do you mean?”
“Some woman came upstairs when I was filling in for Chandra while she took her break, demanding to see Mr. Prescott. She said she was his girlfriend, but she wasn’t the one he took to the launch. He has them coming and going, even at work.”
My heart dropped to my stomach. “His girlfriend?”
“Yeah. The reason I came down here was because she’s your friend, the one who went to our company picnic last summer.”
My mind reeled. Kelsey was the one who came to the picnic with me. Was Cory telling me the truth? “Kelsey?”
Lena snapped her fingers. “That’s her name. It was on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn’t quite get it out. Don’t you hate when that happens? I really hate it when I can’t remember movies and…”
The rushing in my ears drowned her out. I couldn’t think. Without hesitation, I sprang to my feet, came around the desk, and went toward the door.
“Where’re you going?” Lena asked.
“I have to take care of something.” I walked out and marched down the hallway. If Trace had been two-timing me, I didn’t know what I’d do. I knew I’d kick his cheating ass to the curb, but I wasn’t sure what I’d do before that. Seething, I hurried over to the elevator and hammered the button to call it down, bouncing on the balls of my feet in a panic.
“The elevators are off.” Lena called over to me. “They’re working on them.”
“Shit,” I said under my breath, turning and heading for the stairs. Determination pushed me forward, and images of Trace and Kelsey fueled the fire raging inside me.
It was time for a showdown.