Page 53 of Burn for the Devil
“Thank you,” she beamed. I wasn’t certain congratulations were in order, it depended on the circumstances, but she appeared content. Either way, it was the right thing to say.
Clint gave me a smile and shook my hand before turning his attention to John. I glanced back at my friend. “You look great,” I said to Julia. “When is the wedding?”
“Next year. My parents wanted the wedding sooner, but our planner is booked solid.”
“Ahh,” I said, nodding, “did you book Saint Mary’s?” Everyone who was anyone secured the beautiful, ancient church right outside of the city.
Julia looked at me in disbelief. “Of course.”
I gave her a small smile. “How have you been?”
“Busy,” she answered, with a tilt of her lips. “I’ll have to stop by your little shop some time.”
Her eyes began scanning the room. I didn’t miss the condescending note in her voice over my store. “That would be nice. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going...”
Julia had already moved on, greeting another friend and I really missed Toni at that moment and sent her a quick text, asking her to please just drop by.
Julia and I weren’t really friends, we only knew each other because we ran in the same social circles so I couldn’t get all that upset she’d quickly dismissed me.
John was deep into conversation with her fiancé, both men clutching tumblers of scotch already. What I was supposed to do was join John and stand by his side while he spoke with the people he knew. Either that or find a group of friends of my own and catch up with them, gossiping about our other friends—or perhaps reminiscing about our college days. Neither option was appealing.
Separating myself from them, I wandered the floor, sending others I knew a polite smile and gazing at the displays of wildlife and New England’s bucolic scenes. Toni messaged me back, teasing me before apologizing for not being able to come.
After a little while, I found some people I could stomach that I hadn’t seen in years—Caroline and Helen and felt less adrift.
The three of us wandered the hall, catching up while sipping our drinks, and we finally found ourselves alone in a smaller exhibit hall. While I was listening to Helen regal us with a funny story about a housekeeper getting stuck in a fitted sheet, I spotted movement on the other side of the room.
I backed away slowly and peeked my head around the corner of a dividing wall, trying to track the motion. Amazed, I realized it was Julia with a man who was most certainly not Clint. Caroline and Helen were giggling over Helen’s rescue of her housekeeper when I ducked around the edge.
It was none of my business, but I couldn’t help myself. Glancing back at my two friends I saw they were still distracted so I ventured forward as silently as I could for a better look while making sure it appeared I was admiring a display. Julia had her back to a wall and when the man turned his head, I immediately recognized him. I’d seen him and the scar down the side of his face at the gathering at the oceanside manor. He had her caged in, standing much too close to a woman who was supposed to be engaged to be married.That answers my question from earlier, I thought. If she were to be unfaithful, at least she had good taste. He was highly attractive, even with his scar. I watched as he lowered an arm to grip her waist and dipped his head to her neck. Julia let out a short, breathy gasp audible across the vast space. I was instantly thrown back to when I’d been in Ramone’s arms, his lips skimming me in the same manner.
I couldn’t tear my gaze from the spectacle. The man had lifted the edge of her dress, his hand disappearing under theskirt. Julia’s mouth dropped open as her head sagged backwards under his grasp. Wishing I was with Ramone that very moment, I replayed some of the choice events from earlier in my head and a shiver ran through me.
“Mm. You like to watch.” My champagne glass shattered on the floor, breaking the spell.
My own lover was mere inches from me, infecting my space and leaving me paralyzed. “I told you to leave me alone,” I said, weakly.
Julia and the scarred man had separated, quickly eyeing us before taking their leave. I didn’t miss the warning in her gaze as they exited, the glare she sent over her shoulder.
“You shouldn’t be unescorted,” the smooth voice said over my head.
He was so close to me, making me hyperaware of his proximity. I wanted to both run away from him and press my body against his. I did neither.
“I’m not alone,” I replied, moving away from him and the broken glass on the floor. Caroline and Helen stepped toward us, eyeing the floor.
Helen spoke first. “What was that?”
“The glass slipped out of my hand,” I said, watching Caroline glance at Ramone.
“You two know each other?” Caroline asked, looking at me and then the man mere inches from my back.
“No,” I said
“Yes,” Ramone answered.
Helen giggled and sipped her champagne while Caroline tilted her head at me. “Well, we’ve met before,” I offered in way of explanation. Caroline subtly raised her eyebrow.
“I should go find John,” I said to no one in particular, trying to excuse myself.