CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

Emma

“Really? That would be awesome. We’ll have so much fun.” Avery appeared excited that I might join them.

She seemed to be the only one. Adrienne was frowning, and Trevor looked annoyed.

I honestly didn’t want to go club hopping, but if it got me out of this party early and gave me an excuse not to talk with Trevor, I’d dive into anything. Including an evening with Avery and Ms. Barbie. Adrienne was the epitome of a debutante. Diamonds as big as some women’s engagement rings sparkled on her ears while everything she wore screamed expensive. She was the type of girl Trevor probably went to university with, someone who frequented parties like this and who could charm the father of any of her boyfriends.

I thought perhaps I could ditch the party, go with the girls, and then bag once we reached the club, effectively getting me out of everything. Most especially, I wanted to avoid talking with Trevor. Not that I hadn’t missed him this week, too. But that was part of the problem. Because him missing me. Me missing him. It wasn’t part of the plan. Feelings were getting in the way of my judgment, and it was time I took control of them.

The only problem was this was all well and good in my head, but the practical application was failing. I couldn’t get rid of the feeling I wanted to pry Adrienne’s hands from Trevor’s forearm.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m in need of a drink. Um, Avery, I’ll let you know for sure later about the club.” Although Simon was leaving straight for the airport, perhaps he could carve out ten minutes to swing by our hotel, so I could hitch a ride with him and manage to get out of absolutely everything. I could also simply call up an Uber.

I made a beeline to the bar where I ordered a vodka tonic. Trevor’s family home was massive and lovely, I noticed, walking with my drink in hand from room to room. I caught Simon’s eye, but noticed he busy in conversation. Going out to the back patio, I let my gaze go straight past the pool to the pool house. Memories flooded over me from Monday night.

“Are you seriously going out to the club tonight?” Trevor inquired, appearing from nowhere. The huskiness in his tone made my body shiver.

I turned to see him, fully appreciating how very handsome he was in his suit. What was underneath, however, could really turn me on. “I’m not sure yet.”

“Either you’re hoping to avoid me by a night out with my sister, or you’re trying to tell me something.”

I was confused. “Tell you what?”

“That you’re going out to look for something or someone else.”

I fought my temper. “I said we were exclusive, didn’t I?”

“For all I know, you refusing to talk to me is because you’ve broken things off.”

“For all I know, you would rather go out with what’s-her-face tonight.”

He smiled, taking a sip of his beer. “For someone who keeps saying this is casual, your jealousy shows a different side.”

“Yes, well, for someone who agreed to be exclusive, you are certainly jumping to conclusions about me wanting to go to the club.”

“Touché, sugar. But I don’t enjoy this unsettled feeling between us. That’s why I hoped to talk.”

I was about to tell him I couldn’t do this here. Not at his family’s house with his father mingling and his sister somewhere around. But I was interrupted when his father came up—with Tom, of all people. I knew the arse would be here, but to see him with Trevor’s father made my stomach turn. God only knew what sort of lies he’d be spreading. The man seemed to thrive on poisoning the waters, and I was often his target.

“Ah, there my son is. Preoccupied with your lovely presence, my dear. What was your name again?” He was looking at me.

I’m nobody. The insecurity sprung up, but I managed to speak. “I’m Emma Brown.”

“Ah, from London as well. What is it you do for the Stone Group?”

I was about to respond that I helped coordinate the deals for Simon, but Tom, in true twat fashion, spoke up first.

“Emma is just our assistant. Coffee fetching, filing, and the occasional trip to plan.”

Before I could even decide if I’d bother to respond to his snipe, Trevor fired back. “Simon would tell you the same thing I will. Emma is the glue that holds the team together, coordinating everything from the audits to the real estate necessary for these purchases. She also performs a great deal of due diligence and keeps us all organized.”

I was officially stunned speechless. Only Simon had ever stuck up for me as being more than his secretary.

But then Mr. Newhall went on to shock me further, turning towards Tom. “You know, Tom, my assistant, Pearl, has been with me over thirty years. I credit her with a great deal of my success because she keeps me organized and truly understands my company. Anyone who doesn’t respect her role answers to me. You’d do best to remember a person’s title has no bearing on their value.”

I had the absolute pleasure of watching Tom turn bright fucking red. Misogynist wanker. “Of—of course,” he stuttered.

Trevor’s dad winked at me in true politician form. “It was wonderful to meet you, Emma. If you’ll excuse me, I need to steal my son away to say hello to some people.”

“Certainly. In fact, I’m off to get another drink.” I wasn’t about to stay alone in Tom’s company. As I walked away, I noticed the resemblance between father and son was obvious. And now I knew where Trevor got his values when it came to how to treat people.

***

Simon was ready to go an hour later and agreed he would have time to drop me off at my hotel. Not that I couldn’t get an Uber, but I knew if I tried, Trevor would insist on giving me a ride instead.

I found Avery and made an excuse for why I couldn’t go out tonight. I was tired, I was traveling back to Dallas tomorrow after needing to finish packing up the office, and last but not least, I wasn’t really feeling the club scene tonight.

But then Adrienne came up and put her arm around her as if they were BFFs. It was obvious she’d had a few too many cocktails. “Come on, sweetie. Let’s go. We have friends waiting at Club Pink.”

My eyes narrowed. Adrienne didn’t seem like such a good friend. And Avery’s pretty face had fallen when I’d said I couldn’t go.

“It’s okay, Emma. I understand. It was nice to see you again, though. Maybe once I visit Trevor in Dallas again, we can get together.”

Bloody hell. Unfamiliar guilt surged up. See? This was why I didn’t do friends. Because they came with expectations. “Are you sure you want to go out?”

Avery might be in her early twenties, but she didn’t seem to be a party girl. But Adrienne definitely was. And there was an agenda there.

Proving it, she answered. “Of course she does. Come on, Avery. I’m getting the Uber now.”

Adrienne was already on her phone, typing for one.

Trevor came up, his gaze flicking between me and his sister. “You going out, Avery?”

She sighed. “It’s what single people should do, right?”

I shook my head. “Not always. Especially if you don’t want to.”

Adrienne’s annoying voice chimed in. “Totes booooring. Come on. You need to get out and dance and be young. No offense.” She flashed a fake smile, making me want to drop the bitch. “Trevor, you sure you don’t want to come? I’d save a dance for you.”

She looked as if she’d hump his leg if he’d let her.

Simon joined us, and Adrienne’s face lit up. “Oooh, who are you?”

His quirked brow showed exactly what he thought of Ms. Barbie. “My name is Simon. You ready to go, Emma?”

But Trevor intervened. “Since you brought your bag with you, I can drop Emma off at the hotel, and you can go straight to the airport. Never know how long the security line will be.”

Damn. Simon appeared grateful. “Terrific. You don’t mind, do you, Emma?”

I felt guilty for even suggesting he take the time to drive me. “No. Not at all. But I may just go out with Avery for a drink or two, after all.”

Because I wasn’t ready to get in a car with Trevor and talk. And I didn’t trust Adrienne. And evidently I was out to prove I wasn’t all that old.

***

Although I’d spent my fair share of time in clubs over the years, it was normally when I was trolling for men. Despite Trevor’s worry, that was not my intention tonight. So I was already regretting my decision to come along once the three of us stepped inside of Club Pink. It was, as its name implied, very pink. I found it a tad Pepto for my taste, but to be fair, I wasn’t a pink kind of girl. The chandeliers and diamond-looking walls were a nice touch, though. All of it screamed money.

The solitary bright spot was how very grateful Avery was I’d come along. Which begged the question—why was she hanging out with this group of friends if she seemed relieved I was with her?

As soon as we walked to the upstairs of the club, Adrienne went up and hugged two carbon copies of herself. They introduced themselves over the music, but I simply referred to them as Barbie two and Barbie three in my head. Avery appeared to know them as well, giving them hugs. All thought my accent was adorbs, which was enough to warrant the shot of whatever had been placed in front of me.

Three shots in, I finally started to relax in the booth with the other girls. But then Adrienne started talking about how hot Trevor was. Leave it to drunk girls not to realize how loud they sounded. I honed in on the conversation when I heard Adrienne ask Barbie two, “Is he here yet?” Even as she spoke, Adrienne appeared completely immersed in her phone.

“No. On his way. Get her to go to the ladies’ room.”

My eyes narrowed. What were they up to? Surely Adrienne wasn’t asking about Trevor. He wouldn’t let these girls know he was coming and not me. So when Adrienne suggested Avery come with her to the loo, I got up, too. Guess this was the good part about girls going in packs. Nobody thought anything of it. But the wink she gave the other Barbie made me uneasy. What were they setting up? Perhaps this was how girlfriends were—wasn’t like I actually knew. Maybe it was simply a surprise for Avery, and I was letting my suspicious nature get the best of me.

A trip to the toilets involved a small queue, and by the time it was our turn, I realized Adrienne was past the point of tipsy. She opened the stall door and exclaimed, “Oh, goody, someone left a liner on the toilet. Fab.”

Eww. But she’d already closed the door before I could verbalize the thought, and well, I couldn’t even pretend concern for Adrienne’s personal hygiene.

As soon as we all finished and returned to the lounge, Avery came to a sudden stop. “Shit.”

“What?”

“Edward, my ex-fiancé, is here.”

I looked over to where a preppy-looking man was staring at Avery. Obviously, this wasn’t a coincidence. I didn’t bother to hide my annoyance with Adrienne, asking, “Did you tell him she’d here?”

Her fake-shocked look made me happy she’d sat on someone else’s toilet liner. Here was hoping it gave her something.

“Why would I do that?”

Yes, why indeed? Avery appeared lost when Edward wasted no time putting his arm around her and started whispering in her ear. Her being a tipsy wasn’t helping her defense mechanisms.

I needed reinforcements and fast. I pulled out my mobile and texted Trevor.

“Need your help. Edward showed up. Avery’s friends set her up.”

His reply came back quickly. “Be there in a few.”

I didn’t know how far away he was from the club, but since his house had been a half-hour drive away, I didn’t expect him anytime soon.

Approaching Edward and Avery, where they stood to one side of the group, I intended to make sure she was okay. But I was intercepted by one of Edward’s frat-boy friends.

“Hey, gorgeous. Let my boy talk to his girl.” His hand gripped my arm.

“Let go of me.”

He smirked while I ripped my arm away from his grasp. I took two steps before the jackass stepped in front of me again. “Whoa, whoa. Can’t let you interrupt, beautiful.”

“Move, or I’ll break your fucking nose.” You didn’t get through the foster care system without becoming scrappy. I could throw a punch that would rearrange his stupid face if he didn’t keep his hands to himself.

“No need for violence, gorgeous.”

When he put his hand on me a second time, I saw red, cocking my arm back and ready to ruin his night. At that moment, another hand gripped my elbow, with a hard body within a breath of mine. I was about to stomp on an instep when a familiar voice came in my ear.

“It’s me, sugar.”

I relaxed instantly while Trevor focused on the idiot in front of me. “Step back before I let her swing. Believe me when I tell you I’m already tempted since you thought it was okay to put your hand on a woman without her permission.”

The other guy held up both hands in mock surrender. “Sorry, man.”

“Apologize to the lady.” Trevor’s voice was low and all alpha. It made me tingle in places that had no business tingling at the moment.

“I’m sorry.” He scrambled out of the way, abandoning his friend as Trevor walked past him toward the pair.

Avery was obviously upset, and Edward was talking with a lot of arm gestures. I could only hear parts of the conversation.

“You have to take me back. You just have to.”

“No, I don’t, Edward.”

“Hi, Avery. You ready to go?”

Although Trevor could’ve demanded his sister leave with us, I liked that he paid her enough respect to leave the option up to her. However if she said no, I might have to carry her out myself. No half-drunk girl should have to confront her ex just because her so-called friends had set her up.

Avery’s eyes focused on her brother. The look of relief on her features made it clear she was happy to see him. “Yes. Definitely.”

“No, wait,” Edward beseeched, taking a hold of her arm. What was with these grabby guys?

Edward was what I’d describe as a typical country club guy, with his perfectly styled, brown hair, aristocratic face, and crisp white shirt with khaki pants. And were those boat shoes? Good Lord. Forget the country club; the guy belonged on a yacht. Although he could be considered handsome in a rich, frat-guy sort of way, the fact he was a cheater coupled with a scent of desperation made him ugly.

“I suggest you let go of my sister without me having to ask a second time.”

Damn. Not only was Trevor’s authoritative voice leaving no doubt as to his control, but it was continuing to turn me on. Talk about inappropriate timing.

Edward swallowed hard. “Hey, Trevor. Nice to see you.”

“Wish I could say the same. Now step off, and let me take Avery home.”

“I just need some more time to talk to her.”

Avery shook her head. “No, you don’t. I’m done talking to you.”

Adrienne came over to intercept. “Trevor. I’m so glad you got my text. Will you take us home?”

Wait. What? She’d texted him, too? Then it dawned on me why Adrienne had set Avery up. So she could get Trevor here. “What time did you get the text from Adrienne?” I asked him.

He checked his phone. “About ten minutes ago.”

“You mean before we realized Edward was even here.”

Adrienne started to turn red but denied it. “I just heard the girls saying he’d show up.”

Here was the thing about Barbies, I quickly discovered. They had no loyalty. Barbie number three shouted, “You’re lying. This was her idea. She wanted to see if Trevor would go home with her. Kept saying how Avery couldn’t do any better than Edward, and she’d thank her.”

“Well, she may not be able to do any better,” Adrienne defended pathetically.

Fury enveloped me as I witnessed Avery wilt. She looked as though she believed she’d truly couldn’t do any better than her cheating ex. That feeling was all too familiar. To be beaten down. To question your self-worth. But on top of that, she seemed to have some shitty friends.

I marched up right to Adrienne’s face. “Where do you get off making Avery feel as if she can’t do better? I have news for you. She can do a hell of a lot better than some tosser in boat shoes in a pink club or a so-called friend who set her up and used her to try to get to her brother. Who, by the way, only sleeps with real women. Not plastic, fake ones like yourself.”

Because I clearly wasn’t thinking about what it meant to out us in front of a crowd, I landed a big kiss on Trevor’s amused lips. Adrienne’s outrage gave me great pleasure. “Now we can go.”

I didn’t have a clue how Avery would react to my outburst, but she started giggling. “God, I love you, Emma.” She threw her arms around me, making me feel like a hero despite the scene.

“Come on, love, let’s get you home.” I took Avery’s arm, letting her put some of her weight on me as she appeared tipsy.

Trevor’s truck was parked with the valet directly outside the exit. He placed a large bill in the eager kid’s hand and lifted Avery up into the back seat of his club cab, where he buckled her in.

“I can get an Uber.” I thought it polite to offer, especially if he was irritated about my little stunt.

“Get in the car, Emma. Please.”

How he managed to be authoritative and still have manners I wasn’t sure. But I got into the truck.