Page 103 of Risk
Grace runs her hands up and down Nicole’s back. “I don’t think anyone’s marrying anyone at this point.” Her gaze lifts to mine. “You really showed up for him out there.”
“And I always will,” I say, backing up to give them space. I feel like an intruder here. Maybe I should leave.
Grace holds her arm out to me. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do. When I don’t move, she says, “Well, come on. I’m trying to hug you both at the same time!”
Once Grace can snag my dress strap, she hooks it with her finger and yanks me in. “I have two sisters from other misters now.”
Nicole cries harder.
Guilt pangs my chest because Grace is acting so opposite of how she had at dinner. It’s a little confusing.
“I’m sorry for acting like a stuck-up twat earlier, Leah.” Grace rubs my arm. “I was just trying to figure out your intentions.”
“Your tests suck, Gracie.” Nicole pulls back and wipes her face again. Her red-rimmed eyes and pink-tipped nose make her look sadly adorable. “Leah’s the greatest. Mason wouldn’t have chosen anyone less than perfect to love.”
My throat tightens.
“Oh my god, I look like trash.” Nicole focuses on fixing her face.
“Here.” Grace digs through her clutch and hands over a tiny jar of makeup remover. “Just wash it all off.”
Leaning against the sink, I hug myself while Grace helps Nicole. Should I go now? Stay? I don’t know what to do.
Scrubbing her face aggressively, Nicole grumbles, “I just wanted to get this gala over with, go clubbing, and get laid.”
Grace shrugs. “Well, at least you made a ton of money for your new charity tonight so…” She shakes her fists in the air. “Success!”
“Psht. Yeah, and this will likely be the last fundraiser of this scale too, because tonight blew up in a bad way.” Her eyes well with tears again. “Oh my god, my parents are going to be furious. So many famous people were here and they’re never going to want to do business with us again.”
“Fuck them,” Grace snaps. “If they aren’t proud of you for all you’ve done in the community, then they can kiss your ass. They can kiss mine, too. And screw the famous fuckers. They’re not special, they’re just good at acting. Whoopdie woo. We’re all good at it. So, fuck them all.”
A laugh escapes me. “You sound like Mason.”
“Good.” Grace tosses her hair. “He’s a great role model.”
Grace and I empty our purses so Nicole can choose what to put back on. Between the two of us, we have everything she needs to look flawless again. “Okay, I’m good.” Nicole fluffs her hair over her shoulders and turns to check out her ass. “I’m really damn good.”
Poking my head out of the bathroom, I see Mason leaning against the far wall with his arms crossed and a grumpy look on his face. His features soften when he heads towards me. “How’s it going in there?”
“Good. She wants to come out.”
“Okay.” Mason looks left, then right. “Does she want to sneak out?”
Nicole swings the door open wider behind me. “Fuck no. I’m going out that front door.”
“Okay then.” He holds the door for us. “Let’s do it, ladies.”
Nicole rolls her shoulders back and heads out first. Photographers snap her picture and yell out questions that all lean heavily into a romance scandal. She handles it with dignity and grace, giving away nothing but not covering anything up either.
Mason puts his arm around me, and we walk out to another flurry of camera flashes and questions screamed at us. He remains polite and keeps walking.
“Leah, is it true you’re his fiancé?” one of them asks.
The answer catches in my throat.
How on earth did they find that out so fast? Or is it speculation they’re trying to confirm? Should I keep my mouth shut and head down, ignoring them? I don’t know what to do.
“Well?” Mason grins, arching his eyebrow. “Are you my fiancé, Princess?”