Wakefulness came slowly and I wasn't sure where I was at first. I only knew that this wasn't my bed or my apartment. It was too quiet, the mattress too soft. Then I felt a familiar ache between my legs and remembered.

Reed.

I smiled and opened my eyes, wondering what this new day would hold. We had plans to make, things to discuss, but first I wanted him and breakfast. In that order.

Then I registered what I was seeing. A suitcase on the end of the bed and Reed putting clothes into it.

“Reed?” I didn't trust myself to say anything more than his name. I told myself not to jump to any conclusions, but that didn't stop my stomach from twisting.

“My flight leaves at ten.” He sounded even and calm. “I need to be back in Philadelphia tonight.”

I waited for what was coming next. Would he ask me to come with him now or would he want to wait until he'd ended things with Britni? I felt a twinge of guilt that I hadn't asked last night if he'd already called off the wedding. He didn't love her, I reminded myself, so a single day didn't matter. I wasn't sure if I'd believe the lie later, but it worked for now.

Maybe he was going back to Philly to get all of his affairs in order before moving here. Either way, I was sure he'd find a way for me to be able to quit The Diamond Club. He'd already said he didn't want anyone else seeing me naked. I didn't know what I'd do, but I'd find something. Philadelphia or Vegas, it didn't matter as long as we were together. Maybe we'd go somewhere new. A fresh start for both of us.

“I have a couple thousand dollars in cash.”

He was talking again and I turned my attention to him, ready to hear what he had planned for us.

“I'll have the hotel keep the room for a couple days. That should be enough time for you to find a nice apartment. I'll set up a joint account and wire money into it as soon as the bank opens tomorrow.”

I frowned, pulling the sheet more tightly around me. Something about this didn't sound right.

“I'll make sure there's enough money in it so you can quit stripping and focus on your dancing.”

I climbed out of the bed, still keeping myself covered. Suddenly, I didn't feel like being naked in front of him. I swallowed hard and asked the question I needed answered.

“What about you?”

He didn't look at me and that was enough to tell me it had all been a lie. I grabbed my dress and pulled it on, snatching up my underwear as he answered.

“I usually fly to LA every couple weeks for business, and most of the time I stop in Vegas for a lay-over. Adding an extra day or two won't rouse any suspicions.”

Suspicions. I felt the urge to throw up. How could I have been so stupid?

“You're still getting married.” I picked up my shoes and told the tears burning against my eyelids that they weren't allowed to fall. “You lying, cheating bastard.” I spit the last words through clenched teeth and then stormed out, not caring if anyone saw me. I heard Reed say my name, but kept walking. I let my anger take control, knowing the alternative would be to cry. I wished I'd never gone to that stupid reunion. My crush could've stayed sweet and innocent instead of being destroyed by finding out what a true asshole Reed Stirling really was.

I was still fuming when I got off the elevator and started through the lobby, so much so I almost walked right into a solid wall of muscle. I stopped abruptly and looked up into a pair of pale blue eyes.

“Piper?”

I crossed my arms. I was so not in the mood to deal with Reed's soon-to-be brother-in-law. “What?” I snapped.

“I just wanted to apologize for what happened the other night.” Brock's handsome face was sincere and I studied it for a moment, almost missing that he was holding out an envelope.

A new flare of anger went through me. What was it with these rich people thinking they could just buy people off? I folded my arms more tightly. “You were drunk. It's not like I don't deal with that every night at work. I don't want anything from you.”

I started to step around him, but he took the step with me, still blocking my way.

“Look, I feel bad. Just take it, please.” He gave me one of those expressions I was sure had gotten him out of a lot of trouble growing up and, despite my anger, I found myself softening. “I wrote you a note.”

I sighed. What the hell. It wasn't like I was at a place financially where I could afford to refuse a tip. I told myself that's all it was when I took the envelope.

“Don't open it yet.” Brock smiled. His eyes flicked over my head and then back down again. “I have to get going, but I hope you'll accept my apology and maybe I'll see you later.”

I almost told him not to count on it, but then I saw Reed walking through the lobby with the rest of his groomsmen. He stared straight ahead, not even glancing at Brock when the other man fell in step at his side.

I watched them walk out, my fingers tightening around the letter until the paper crinkled. I let out a slow breath as the men got into a limo and drove away. I'd take Brock's money, put the rest of the weekend behind me and get on with my life. I'd survived taking care of my dying mother, survived losing her, survived Las Vegas by myself for two years. I'd survive this too, and I'd never be this foolish again.

After making that promise to myself, I opened the envelope. The first thing I saw was six crisp one hundred dollar bills paper-clipped together with a note saying, “For your ticket.”

I frowned. What the fuck did that mean? I pulled out a folded sheet of paper and read it. Then I re-read it because I was sure it had to be a mistake, but no, there it was, in sloppy masculine hand-writing.

“Piper, I would like the chance to prove to you that I'm not the man I seemed to be the first time we met. Please agree to be my date to my sister's wedding. The cash enclosed is for a plane ticket if you agree, but please keep it even if you decide not to come. Should you agree to be my date, you'll receive ten thousand dollars for your services. Sincerely, Brock Michaels.”

Ten thousand dollars to watch Reed marry a woman he claimed not to love.

Fuck.