Heath leaned forward, his expression intense. “You don’t have to marry him, Viv.”
“Heath—”
“I mean it.” The fierceness of his tone startled me. “You’ve always done what your parents told you to do, but this isn’t about a job or where you go to college. This is about the rest of your life. You’re not a teenager anymore, and you have your own money. You can push back.”
We’d had this conversation before, and it ended the same way every time.
“It’s not about pushing back,” I said. “They’re my family, Heath. I can’t turn my back on them.”
His laugh lacked humor. “I should’ve known you were going to say that.” He leaned back, his gaze heavy on mine. “I haven’t dated anyone since we broke up, you know. Not seriously. My longest relationship after you lasted a month.”
Another pang worked its way through my chest at his low confession.
“Neither have I,” I said quietly. “But I’m engaged now, and this conversation is inappropriate.”
I didn’t like Dante, but I would never cheat on him or disrespect the implicit promise I’d made when I accepted his ring.
Heath painted a tempting picture of a world where I was free to do as I pleased, but that was all it was, a picture. Fantasy, not reality.
In the real world, I had duties and obligations to fulfill. No matter how rude or overbearing Dante was, I had to make my engagement work, one way or another.
There was no other option.
“You should go,” I said. ”I’m sure you have a lot to do before your Monday meeting.”
Heath stared at me for a second before he shook his head.
“Right.” He pushed his chair back and stood. His bitter expression returned, but his voice was soft as he left. “It was good seeing you, Viv. If you ever change your mind, you know where to find me.”
I watched him walk away, my heart heavy and my thoughts running in a dozen different directions.
So much had happened in the past week it felt like a fever dream.
Dante returning from Europe.
Our kiss and first real conversation together.
Heath showing up out of the blue and asking me to break my engagement.
Dante and I hadn’t discussed our dating history, but what would he say if he found out what happened with Heath today?
No matter his feelings toward me, he didn’t strike me as the type of man who’d respond well to other people interfering in his relationships.
His security team once hospitalized someone who tried to break into his house. The guy wound up in a months-long coma with broken ribs and a shattered kneecap.
Sloane’s voice echoed in my head, followed by an image of coal dark eyes and calloused hands.
A shiver skated down my spine.
I was suddenly glad Dante didn’t take any interest in my comings and goings.
If he did…I had a strong feeling Heath might not make it to see his company’s IPO.
CHAPTER 10
Dante
“Another one bites the dust. Something must be in the water, with the way everyone around me is suddenly getting hitched,” Christian drawled. “How are things with your blushing bride? Blissful, I hope.”
“Cut the crap, Harper, or I’ll throw you out myself,” I growled. My engagement party was insufferable enough without dealing with him.
I was still unsettled from my kiss with Vivian last week, and now I had to make small talk with a bunch of people I didn’t particularly care for.
A wicked smile slashed across Christian’s face. “Not blissful, then.”
In the fourteen years I’d known Christian Harper, not a single one had passed without him inciting me to near murder. It was almost impressive on his part.
Instead of strangling him like I wanted, I smoothed a casual hand over my tie. “Compared to your pining? It’s fucking paradise.”
His eyes narrowed. “I don’t pine.”
“No. You simply slash the rent for everyone who wants to live in your building for no good reason.”
He wasn’t the only one who kept tabs on the people in his circle.
As a computer genius, owner of a luxury building in D.C., and the CEO of Harper Security, an elite private security firm, Christian had eyes and ears everywhere.
He knew about Francis’s blackmail. Hell, he was the one I’d tasked with tracking down and destroying the evidence.
He was also an asshole who got off on seeing how far he could push people. Some pushed back. Most didn’t.
Unfortunately for him, I was one of the few who called him out on his bullshit without hesitation.
“I’m not here to discuss my business decisions with you,” he said coldly. If anything could rile up the normally composed Christian, it was the mention, however indirect, of a certain tenant in his building. “I’m here to celebrate this exciting new chapter of your life.” He lifted his glass. “A toast to you and Vivian. May you have a long, happy life together.”
“Fuck off.”
The bastard laughed in response, but the mention of Vivian unwittingly brought my eyes to where she stood chatting with an elegant older couple. She’d been the consummate hostess all day, mingling and charming the guests until I couldn’t take two steps without someone gushing to me about how lovely she was.
It was galling.
My eyes lingered on the sweep of hair cascading over her shoulder and the swirl of silk around her knees. Her parents were here, but she wasn’t wearing tweed, thank God. Instead, she wore an ivory dress that flowed over her curves and made my pulse pound.
Short sleeves, modest neck, elegant cut.
The dress wasn’t racy by any means, but the way she glowed in it—the way her skin looked smoother than the silk and the way the skirt ruffled in the breeze—made my blood burn a little hotter.
Vivian laughed at something the couple said. Her whole face lit up, and I realized I’d never seen her genuine, unguarded smile before. No sarcasm or prim facade, just sparkling eyes, rosy cheeks, and an airy lightness that transformed her from beautiful to stunning.
Awareness kindled in my chest, hot and unwanted.
“Should I come back after you’ve finished ogling her?” Christian swirled the ice in his glass. “I don’t want to intrude on a private moment.”
“I’m not ogling her.” I dragged my eyes away from Vivian, but her presence remained a tangible heat on my skin. I tried to shake it off to no avail. “Enough bullshit. Give me an update on the project.”
He sobered. “Business operations are going as planned. The other situation is progressing, but not as quickly as we’d hoped.”
The pieces were falling in place for Francis’s business takedown, but we were still stalled on the evidence front.
Dammit.
“Just get it done before the wedding. Keep me updated.”
“I always do.” The amused glint in Christian’s eyes returned when he looked over my shoulder. “Incoming.”
I sensed her before I saw her. The sound of her heels, the smell of her perfume, the soft rustle of fabric against skin.
I drained my drink in one long pull as Vivian came up beside me.
“Apologies for interrupting.” She touched my arm and smiled at Christian, playing the role of apologetic fiancée perfectly. My skin tingled beneath her hand, and I almost shook her off before I remembered where we were. Engagement party. Loving couple. Pretend. “I need to steal Dante for a moment. Mode de Vie would like a photo for their wedding feature.”