Chapter 3

Preston and I had known each other for over ten years. Even though I never said anything out loud, he could always read the conflict written all over me.

I smiled and nodded at him, though he was already pretty drunk.

Just then, a few messages came in from Rosalie.

Rosalie: [Feel better yet? When are you coming home?]

Rosalie: [I'll take you to Diablo's Table when you're back, okay?]

Rosalie: [You're a grown man. Running off and disappearing like this the second you're upset, is that really how an adult handles things?]

For the first time, I didn't reply.

…

Preston's girlfriend, Hazel Spencer, got back from her business trip, and with her home again, it didn't feel right for me to keep staying at their place, so I planned to leave.

But Hazel understood the situation without needing much explanation, and offered to stay at her parents' place for a while instead so I could keep the apartment to myself. Preston, touched, pulled her into a long, clingy hug.

I felt awkward watching them, but Preston just waved it off. "It's fine, man. Stay as long as you need."

A couple of days later, he mentioned that Hazel had a college friend visiting from abroad, and Hazel was putting together a get-together for her, a mixed group of guys and girls. He wanted me to come along.

I knew he was worried I'd get stuck wallowing in my own misery, which was exactly why he'd made a point of spending time with me every chance he got during the days I stayed at his place. I said yes, figuring a change of scenery couldn't hurt.

The party was held at an upscale private club that Hazel held a stake in. That's where I met the friend Hazel was hosting that night. She wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses and had a refined, elegant look about her. But she turned out to be far livelier than she looked; with her around, the party never once lost its energy, and everyone had a great time.

Somewhere in the conversation, I learned her name was Camille Goodwin, and that despite being young, she'd already made a name for herself. She came from money, but she'd built her own company from the ground up, and it had gone public within just a few years.

As the party was winding down, Camille asked to add my contact. I looked at her, startled, a little embarrassed. Whatever else was going on, I still hadn't broken up with Rosalie yet.

Camille laughed. "Don't get the wrong idea. Preston showed me some of your work, and I thought it was polished and genuinely creative. I wanted to ask if you'd ever consider a change of scenery, career-wise."

I glanced at Preston. He just shrugged. "I only showed Camille your portfolio. Whether anything comes of it is up to you."

"But I think you should add me for now," Camille said. "There's no harm in getting to know each other before you decide anything."

I won't pretend I wasn't tempted in that moment. So I added her.

"Reese Addison!"

I turned around to find Rosalie there, her face twisted with fury.

Rosalie stormed over and grabbed my hand, trying to drag me toward her. I hit confirm on the friend request first, then shook her off.

She stared at me, stunned, then let out a cold laugh. "Here I thought you needed a few days to cool off and come to your senses, so I stayed out of your way. Guess I really was in your way after all."

"That's right, Reese, how could you do this? Rosalie's been worried sick about you these past few days."

Of course, Tyler couldn't stay out of it at a moment like this.

Something about the faint, humorless smile on my face must have set Rosalie off further, because her expression turned cold. "Tyler and I are here to meet a client. Unlike a certain someone."

"Watch your mouth, Rosalie," Preston cut in, irritated. "What's wrong with Reese coming out with us?"

Rosalie's face darkened at Preston, but she turned her fire on Hazel instead. "Hazel, I thought we were closer than this. You knew where Reese was and didn't even tell me? You let me worry myself sick over him for days?"

Hazel looked at her, all innocence. "I was out of town until recently. I only just found out myself."

"What exactly were you worried about?" Preston said coldly. "Reese's been gone for days and you never once called me, or went by his office to pick him up after work."

Rosalie faltered. "I was just giving him space to cool off!"

I could see the rest of the party growing uncomfortable, and I didn't want things to get any more awkward for everyone, so I told Rosalie, "I'll pack up my things and come back tomorrow. That's enough."