She closes her eyes and nods. "We do. I know. I just … I forgot for a moment. It won't happen again. I'm sorry."
I see the sorrow in her eyes, and I don't know if it's because she's upset about forgetting her job, or if it's because she was remembering what we did to her. What I did to her. Either way, I'm going to do everything I can to prove to her that even though she hasn't changed, I have. I don't follow the crowd, and I would definitely never hurt her-or anyone else-intentionally again. Well, maybe the bastards who are after Jeanne, but not anyone else. I also try not to throw my celebrity around; although everyone, including Audrey, knows we're having our reunion in late winter instead of early fall because of my schedule. I couldn't leave a set to be here, and no one seemed to mind. Then again, I didn't ask.
Audrey
I can do this. I. Can. Do. This. I just have to think of Blake as some random guy I'm assigned to help, and not the one I've been partly in love with for more than half my life. Because if I don't, there are only two outcomes to this situation I've found myself in. Either I'm going to fall for Blake, and then find out he's the same asshole he's always been, which will crush me yet again. Or I'll fall for him, and he'll be the guy I'd always dreamed he would, and when he walks away this time, it won't just crush me-I'll be annihilated. Because the one thing I'm sure about is that this is all temporary. The movie star doesn't end up with the chemistry nerd, not in real life at least.
"You ready?" he asks me, and I look up to see that the driver has opened the car door.
"Yeah."
I adjust my top a little, and then put a hand to the fabric, holding it in place as I climb out. I know I shouldn't have worn it, but I couldn't help myself. I'm walking into a room full of sharks, and if I've learned anything over the years, it's that asserting my power first is the best way to throw them off the scent. Not that I couldn't handle them now-I wouldn't even bat an eye-but high school is over, and anyone who still wants to play those games isn't worth my time.
Blake exits behind me, and his hand goes to my back like it belongs there. I see us briefly in the reflection from the window, and my heart clenches at how good we look together. How good he looks with his jet black hair, his bright brown eyes, and that dark stubble covering the lower part of his face, making me want to rub various parts of my body all over it. No, I do not want to do that. I don't. Much.
I focus on the reflection of myself instead. I know I'm beautiful. It took me a long time to see it, and accept it, but I know it now. Together we make a striking couple.
"You sure you're okay?" he whispers in my ear.
"Yes. I was just thinking that we look good together," I tell him honestly.
"Does this mean you're going to give me a chance?"
"No," I say with a laugh. "Looking good together is very different from being good together."
"Audrey, I just need a chance. Just one."
He looks so earnest, and I'm feeling a little vulnerable, so I say something neither one of us is expecting. "You have one. Don't blow it."
His eyes go wide, and that movie star smile takes over his face. Oh God, what have I done? I want to backtrack. I even open my mouth, but he covers it with his fingers. "Challenge accepted."
He holds out his hand, and I place mine in his as the seventeen-year-old me jumps up and down inside, and the thirty-seven-year-old me wonders if this is the worst decision I've ever made in my life. There's no going back, though. Not when all conversation stops as we walk in together. I know it's not because anyone recognizes me-they just didn't expect Blake to bring anyone else here, not with Misha in attendance as well. From the times I've looked him up, I know he never brings a date to a function that she'll also be attending. I'm pretty sure it's because they still hook-up, but that's not happening tonight.
"Shit," I say, realizing that I'm already getting possessive of him, when he's not really mine.
"What's wrong?" he asks, stopping in the middle of the room, and pulling me sideways to face him.
"I was just thinking something I shouldn't have."
"Are you going to tell me?"
Why not? "I was thinking that tonight, at least, you wouldn't go home with Misha after an event. It's not my place to decide that."
He looks genuinely confused. "I haven't gone home-or anywhere else in the way you're implying-with Misha in over five years."
"Oh. You never take a date to events you'll both be at, so I just thought … I mean, it's not my business."
"I don't take dates to those events for two reasons. One, the headlines would be crazy, and no one deserves to be subjected to that. And two, while I don't ever want Misha in my life-or bed again-she's still the mother of my child, and deserves some respect."
Wow. That's just-wow. If he keeps proving what a good guy he is, I'm going to be in even more trouble than I thought I was already. "And tonight?"
"Tonight, I'm with a woman who I want to be seen with, and who I respect more than almost anyone else in this world."
I search his face, and see that he means what he just said. "We should probably start walking again. They're all staring."
"You're ready?"
"As I'll ever be."
"No one's going to mess with you, Audrey. No one. I won't allow it."
"Even Misha?"
"Especially not that bitch."
Chapter 2
Blake
I meant what I said to Audrey, and as we walk over to my "friends" from high school, I know I'm going to need to stand by it. The guys are all looking at her as if she's their last meal, while the women look like they want to gouge her eyes out. I'd love to see them try, because that's one thing I know I wouldn't have to help her with. From everything I've heard about the Society, they're the biggest badasses in the world. Does that make Audrey even hotter? Fuck yeah.
"You brought some hooker to our reunion ? Real classy, Blake."
I start to answer, but Audrey beats me to it. "Sorry to disappoint you, Misha, but I'm a world-renowned scientist, not a hooker. And this is my reunion as well."
"Scientist? You're Audrey Sanchez, aren't you?" my best friend-from high school and now-Jesse, asks her.
"That's me."
"Wait? No. There's no way you're Asexual Audrey," Misha says with a laugh. "I mean, I guess you could've had a bunch of work done."
"Listen, bitch...," Audrey starts, but I interrupt.
"There's absolutely nothing fake about Audrey. Nothing," I say as I lean down and leave a trail of kisses on Audrey's neck.
I'm not sure if it's okay, but I feel the need to protect her now, the way I didn't twenty years ago. If she punches me, I'll just roll with it. She doesn't, though. She reaches up and runs her fingers through my hair, pulling me closer to her.
"Again, I'll say it. How Classy. Not." Misha says with venom in her voice.
"You wouldn't know class if it draped itself all over you," Audrey snaps back, holding my head to her neck as I smirk.
"Says the science nerd who probably never gets out of her dusty old lab."
"I'll be sure to let Reina Corrigan know that you think she'd have me work in those type of conditions."
"You work for Reina Corrigan?" Misha asks, and I know she's impressed. She's been trying to get a job as a spokesperson for the Corrigan Foundation for years.
"Yes, and that's why you never will. You should really stop trying, because my friend will never give you a job." She lets go of me, and moves a few steps away. "I'm going to see my high school friends now, Blake. Let me know when you're ready to leave."
Wait, what? "I'll go with you."
"It's fine," she says, leaning over to kiss my cheek. "You should visit with you friends."
"Maybe for a few minutes, but then I'm coming to find you."
"You really don't have to."
"I want to."
She smiles at me like I passed a test, and I know I've broken through her wall just a little more. "Okay," she tells me before walking away.
"Seriously, Blake? You're with her?"
"It's not your business, Misha, but yes."
"Not my business? Our daughter lives with you, or have you forgotten that?"
I move right up into her personal space, and don't even try to keep the sneer off my face. "You are the one who seems to forget our daughter. Unless you need her for some good press, that is. I can't imagine anyone better for her to have around than Audrey. She's not only brilliant, but she's gorgeous, too. Just like our girl."
"Wasn't she with Ares Dixon at the picnic earlier today?" one of the guys asks.
"Yeah. They're good friends. He brought her, but she went home with me."
"Of course she did. Just as desperate for you as she was in high school," Misha says.