I plucked another flute of champagne off the platter as it passed by.

Narrowing my eyes, I turned my head and slammed half of it down.

I couldn’t wait for this night to be over. What had started out as something fun had quickly regressed into a miserable ballet, twirling across the floor between shaking hands and pretending to be happy.

Audrey lifted her white-gloved hand and waved her fingers at a woman across the room.

My head pounded, hating every moment of having to convince the world that I was even remotely interested in being with her. Audrey was having a great time, playing up her role and making sure that the cameras were on her as much as they were on Coop.

Looking across the room, I caught Cooper schmoozing Mr. Rothschild. It was clear there wasn’t anything broken about their relationship. Coop secured Mr. Rothschild’s support and, with it, Mr. Rothschild brought another dozen elite members to openly express their support for Coop as well.

Audrey said something under her breath, but I ignored her.

Dad had his arm slung over Travis’s shoulders, whispering something in his ear that Travis clearly didn’t appreciate. It was probably something about family legacy and how Travis should get his act together, stop being a ski bum and come down to the city to join the family business. We’d all received the same lecture from Dad at Travis’s age, and though our parents allowed us time to explore our passions when we were younger, there came a time when work came before play.

Feeling her eyes on me, I turned to find Mom staring. She gave me a small smile before returning to her socializing. I knew she was worried about me. And she might have reason to be. I wasn’t feeling myself. I was standing next to the wrong woman. It killed me to know I might not ever see Sophia again.

Wrapping my lips around the rim of my glass, I gulped down another healthy amount of champagne.

I was just waiting for my escape. Keeping an eye on the exit. Looking for my chance.

These black-tie affairs were getting old, I thought as I pulled on my collar. I didn’t need the red-carpet entry. Didn’t care for the women wearing black dresses and glittering jewelry. And don’t even get me started on the men. Because they were just as annoying as the women. Peacocking about the size of their bank account or how their trophy wife was better than the next man’s. It all made me nauseous. And this was just the first of what was coming.

Audrey hooked her arm in the crook of mine. Tipping her chin back, she pointed her lips toward my ear and whispered, “Can you at least act like you’re having a good time?”

My chest tightened.

Even her scent was enough to make me want to vomit. She had too much perfume on and the fumes were getting to my head.

Tossing back the rest of my drink, I mumbled, “I’m having a great time.”

Her mouth slackened. “Really? You’re not very convincing.”

I flicked my eyes away, not interested to hear how awful she thought I performed in front of the cameras or how I didn’t do something to her liking. Audrey droned on and on before ending with, “People will see right through—”

“What?” I snapped my head back around. “That I don’t love you?”

A pained expression quickly gave way to a hard look of annoyance.

“Do me a favor,” I said. “Go get me another.”

Audrey’s posture stiffened as her face turned red. “You’re such a drain.”

She stormed off, finally leaving me alone to find peace. I hated that Sophia could so quickly see that Audrey was a bitch, that Audrey wasn’t a good fit for me, that it was all a bunch of lies, when no one else could.

Looking down into my empty glass, I glanced toward Audrey and was happy to find her already in conversation with another couple.

“First you’re floating in the clouds, and now you look like you want to dig your own grave.” Charlotte floated over to me, smiling.

I glanced up to her and nodded. “It’s that apparent, huh?”

She murmured, “It is.”

“Any sign of Brody Morris?”

She dropped her gaze to the floor as she shook her head. “It’s still early, Nolan. I’m confident he’ll show.”

Feeling my muscles quiver, I grinded my teeth and said, “Make sure that he does.”

Lifting her hand to my shoulder, she said, “Relax. Enjoy yourself. It’s only going to get worse from here.” Sarcasm laced her words, and though Coop was the first to make a run in politics on the big stage, we all knew what we were in for.

I felt my eyes crinkle as a small, knowing chuckle passed over my lips. She was absolutely right. And though she was doing a better job at disguising her own feelings of annoyance, I wished that it wasn’t true.

She was called away and I nodded, hating to see her go. But the longer that Brody was a no-show the less confident I was that he’d show at all. He was my ticket to Sophia—the hope that kept me afloat.

My feet hurt.

My suit was too tight.

Every little thing seemed to be setting me off and it was only grinding on my nerves the longer it went unaddressed.

A passing waiter quietly shared hors d’oeuvres as I glided along the wall. Popping the scallop into my mouth, I soon found myself lost in conversation with a few prominent men discussing business, policy, and all the other things that made our family thrive, the reasons we all thought Cooper was the right man for the job.

As I conversed, I kept one eye on Audrey and the other on the lookout for Brody. Charlotte had made me believe that he would show. But if he didn’t—or if Audrey didn’t take the bait—then I would be forced to find another way. Because this couldn’t go on.

Another drink washed down more hors d’oeuvres, and soon the first hour had passed and I excused myself to go to the restroom. I needed a break. Needed to see what was happening outside the ballroom. Hearing my shoes squeak on the marble floor, I passed the polished furniture fit for a queen and noticed a young woman’s eyes lift to meet mine.

Breaking herself away from her circle, I watched as she headed directly for me. I didn’t know who she was. But when she said my name, I couldn’t help but wonder if she knew me.

“Who’s asking?” I barked.

Her head jerked and I immediately apologized. I wasn’t myself, and she didn’t deserve to be treated like that just because I didn’t want to be here.

My shoulders were tense, my neck stiff. And I knew that if I didn’t find a way to get Audrey out of my life, then my attitude would soon come back to bite me in the ass.

“Look, I know about you and Sophia,” she said, lifting her flute to her lips.

My eyes scurried over her face as I tried to place her. Her platinum blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders and was as bright as the giant diamond ring on her ring finger. “How do you know about me and Sophia?” I asked.

“She’s one of my besties.” She nodded once.

Relief swept over me as my eyes popped. I stood back and blew out a hot breath of air. Then I flicked my eyes back to her and did a double-take. Shoving both my hands through my hair, I asked, “How is she doing?”

Slowly, the woman’s lips curled upward at the corners. “She quit her job, you know.”

“Yeah, I know.” My voice softened.

She folded one arm across her midriff, still holding her drink with her other. “She’s thinking about starting her own business.” Her brows raised. “Breaking out on her own.”

I blinked, surprised to learn the news. Silently, I wondered why Sophia hadn’t shared any of this with me. I could have helped. Given her some ideas on how to attract clients, turn a quick profit.

The woman flicked her eyes to the ballroom doors. “The company she worked for screwed her over.”

“Hera Software Technologies.”

She gave me a questioning look. “You know?”

I knew I was onto something with Hera. Suddenly, I was renewed with a sense of hope. “Darren Gill got the job they’d promised her.”

“You’re creeping me out with how much you know.” She laughed.

I lowered my brow and smirked.

“But you knew.” Her gaze locked with mine. “How did you know?”

“I can’t exactly talk about it right now, but I might be able to find a way to get her that job.” I caught Charlotte waving me to come over out of the corner of my eye. I held up my hand, telling her to give me a minute.

Then the woman said, “Look, if you talk to her—,” her tongue rounded her lips, “—don’t tell her I told you this, but I know she misses you.”

My expression beamed when I murmured, “I miss her, too.”

I excused myself, knowing that something still had to be done about Audrey. Meeting Charlotte on the other side of the room, her eyes shined with good news. “He’s here, Nolan. Brody Morris just arrived, and guess who is already with him?”

I tossed my head back, clapped my hands, and laughed. “This is fucking wonderful. Keep your eye on them.”

Charlotte couldn’t wait to sleuth. I quickly ran to the toilet again and came out having decided to stop drinking. Switching from champagne to water, I knew that I was minutes away from release. Brody could never keep his hands off Audrey and she didn’t have it in her to resist, even with all these people around.

Once I was back in the ballroom, Mom called me over. “Nolan, I wanted to introduce you to Senator Day.”

I shook his hand—he had a firm shake—and I couldn’t recall ever having met him before.

“He’s up for re-election.” Mom nodded, smiling between us.

“I saw you talking with my daughter.” Senator Day nodded over my shoulder to the platinum blonde. “But don’t look too hard, she’s set to get married next month.”

Mom congratulated him while saying something about not having the pleasure to meet her fiancé.

“Unfortunately, Gary is not in attendance tonight.”

I stood there, pretending to listen as Mom continued talking about marriage and family with Senator Day. Then, after a few minutes, he excused himself and Mom turned to me. “How are you doing, son?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Fine.”

Her eyes crinkled as her head tilted on her neck. “You miss her, don’t you?”

My brows pinched. “Who? Audrey?”

Mom gave a weak smile. “No. That girl you were seeing.”

I told her what happened. How it was never going to work as long as Cooper was in this race. And how now wasn’t a great time. “Why do you ask, Mom?”

“I’ve never seen you like this.”

My chest tightened and I was unable to take my eyes away from hers. Inside, I was miserable. Completely heartbroken, lonely, afraid that I had missed my chance at loving the one person who made me feel whole.

“Go after her, Nolan.” Mom nodded. “Don’t lose her. If you do, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”

“Mom, I can’t.” My shoulders rounded. “Dad made it clear that I need to give this campaign a couple the public can look up to.”

She laughed. “Did you know that my father wasn’t keen on me dating your father?”

I shook my head. “I didn’t know.”

Mom nodded. “What would have happened if Dad had given up on me?”

I was eager to fight for Sophia, but I was afraid that I would let so many others down in the process. “I really like her, Mom.”

“But?”

“It might be moving too fast.”

“Let her decide.” Mom smoothed her hand down my arm.

Charlotte came rushing over, holding out her cell phone. She flipped the screen over to me. On it was Audrey locking lips with Brody. “We got it,” she said.

Mom snatched the phone out of Charlotte’s hand and stole a glance. Then she flicked her eyes up to me. “Get out of here, Nolan. Go fight for the girl your heart longs for.”

I kissed Mom on the forehead and ran out of the building to find Sophia.