But tonight, I’m not enjoying myself. William’s hands are all over my back or my shoulder or resting comfortably on my thigh, and I’m realizing more and more how much I don’t want to be here with him. That feeling only intensified tenfold when I saw Carson walk into the room.
I keep feeling his eyes on me as I sit through dinner, but William chose our seats and we’re facing the stage rather than the rest of the room, which is probably a good thing. If I were facing Carson and our eyes kept meeting across the room, I can’t imagine how difficult that would be with William right beside me. At least I have my parents here to provide something of a distraction.
The act is getting more and more difficult. William’s arm has been slung around my shoulder for the majority of the meal. I’m not sure how he’s eating one-handed, but it feels like he’s staking a claim on me. I suddenly wonder what he knows. Does he know Carson is here tonight? Can he somehow read the feelings I keep denying I have for another man?
I’m not sure how much longer I can deny it—or should deny it. I want to talk to Carson. Is he really in town because of business, or did he come to see me? I fear he came to see me. He had no place to do that. I told him I had a boyfriend, and still he showed up. He can’t just take what’s not his.
Even as I have that thought, I shake my head in defeat.
That’s exactly what he’s doing. He’s swooping in to take over the company that has been in my family for generations. He’s taking what’s not his in the business world, so why not swoop in and get the girl while he’s at it?
Carson manages to bring out a diverse set of emotions in me. On the one hand, I’m incredibly flattered that someone like him is showing any interest in me. On the other hand, I’m angry that he’s here, angry that he’s stealing my family’s company, angry that he stepped foot into my life.
Despite all that anger, though, something keeps stopping me from hating him, and I’m pretty sure it’s that little thing we like to call passion. It’s something I never noticed was missing from my relationship with William, but once you have it with someone else, you can easily see where it never existed.
I excuse myself to the restroom sometime between the main course and dessert, mostly because I can’t take William’s hand on me for another second.
When I enter, I head for a stall, and I hear two ladies talking loudly to each other in the two stalls beside me. I try not to eavesdrop, but one name catches my attention.
“I’ve never seen Carson like this.”
“In the two years I’ve known him, I haven’t either, and Carter said he’s never seen him like this either.”
“Axel said something similar.”
“Those King boys. Have you seen the way he’s been looking at her all night?”
“I can practically see the hearts in his eyes.”
“It’s disturbing. I keep waiting for him to pull a Carson.”
“Like run off and screw some random girl by the pool?”
“Or a waitress in the kitchen.”
“Or Lindor’s wife up on that stage.”
They both giggle, and my heart drops. He hasn’t changed his ways, and he won’t—not for me, not for any girl.
“God, I’m so tired of having to pee every thirty seconds.”
“Seriously. We should just set up camp in here for the night.”
I’m finished with my business, but I’m not sure what to do. Should I go out there and face them, or should I hang in here like a coward?
I sigh and flush before I exit my stall. They’re both still in theirs. I hear a toilet flush, and my plan is to wash my hands really fast and bolt, but I’m not fast enough.
A blonde exits one of the stalls, tugging at the back of her dress and running a hand over her obviously pregnant stomach.
She looks up and sees me standing there, and she freezes.
“Oh, shit.”
The other stall opens and Courtney exits. She looks at the blonde. “What? Did you get some on your dress?” She laughs at her own bad joke, and then she follows the blonde’s gaze over to me.
I draw in a fortifying breath.
“Sylvie!” she exclaims. She rushes toward me to give me a hug. I really wish she would go wash her hands.
“You two know each other?” the blonde says.
Courtney nods. “Remember that bachelorette party I went to in Napa? Sylvie and I were roommates.”
I give Courtney a look, as if to ask whether she’s kept my secret all this time. She smiles reassuringly, and I let out a breath.
“Um, how much of that did you hear?” the blonde asks.
“I swear I was trying not to listen,” I say.
They both head for the sink to finally wash their hands. I turn to leave and say, “Well, have a good night.”
“No! Wait,” Courtney says.
I stop and turn back toward her.
“He would kill us if he knew we were talking to you,” Courtney says.
“I’m Emme, by the way,” the blonde says.
Courtney looks nervously at Emme, and Emme nods. “Neither of us has ever seen him like this.”
“Like what, exactly?”
“He only has eyes for you,” Courtney says. “Something’s different, Sylvie. He doesn’t focus his attention on one woman. He doesn’t do relationships, but he’s hung up on you.”
I feel a little disgusted by her words, but it’s nothing compared to the ache in my stomach. “He doesn’t focus his attention on one woman?” It’s not necessarily new information, but it hurts just the same.
“Well, you know,” Courtney says, backpedaling. “He just hasn’t been in a serious relationship.”
“Is what you said true—that you keep waiting for him to screw someone by the pool?”
Courtney and Emme exchange glances again. “It was just a joke,” Emme says.
“But there’s some truth to it.”
Courtney shrugs. “The point is that he’s not doing that. He’s been staring at the back of your head the entire meal. He’s been pushing his food around his plate instead of eating it.”
“I ate his chicken,” Emme says proudly.
Courtney giggles then turns back to me. “He’s been distracted. This isn’t the Carson we know. This one’s got it bad, and he’s got it bad for you.”
I shrug, suddenly seeing things very clearly. I’ve been wasting time and energy going back and forth, lusting after someone who only wants me because he can’t have me. These two ladies just admitted to me that he’s a womanizer. I remember William warning me of that once upon a time, too. He didn’t want me to have dinner alone with Carson because of his reputation. I must be the ultimate challenge—the girl who doesn’t just have a boyfriend, but is also a major player in the company he’s about to acquire. He can fuck my dad by stealing his hard work and then fuck his daughter as a parting gift.
My chest hurts with this new realization. I rub at it, but it doesn’t help the ache. “I’m just a challenge for him. He’ll get over it.”
I spin on my heel and run out of the restroom. I hear them calling after me, but I don’t turn around. It’s time for me to reclaim my spot at my table next to my boyfriend.