"Huh?" Rebecca said in confusion. "She didn't come here with you to go to another party?"
"Exactly."
"Maybe there's a good explanation for it," Rebecca offered.
He shrugged, trying for an I-don't-care attitude. "Kris can be with whomever she wants. There's nothing going on between us."
Rebecca regarded him for a long moment. "I think that's bullshit. Look at you. You're all rattled."
"I am not rattled," he said insistently.
"Cut the crap, Trey. What's the point in lying? To me?"
He sighed exasperatedly. "Fine. So I'm rattled. So what?"
"So what? You obviously have feelings for that woman!"
He scowled at Rebecca. "Yeah. So what? I get the picture, time to move on, no hard feelings."
"What do you mean time to move on? Don't be silly, Trey. What if this is all a misunderstanding? Don't jump to conclusions."
His hand that wasn't holding the beer clenched to his side. God, he was burning with anger right now. How could he allow himself to be fooled again?
His gaze landed on his mother flittering from one guest to another, hanging on the arm of her new, wealthy fiancée. He had to hand it to her. Even at fifty-one, his mother hadn't lost her ability to attract men. Many of them were still willing to worship at her feet. Well, money did help her take care of her looks and she did make an excellent, respectable-looking partner for busy entrepreneurs who wanted a wife who could hold successful events that aided their causes.
He'd learnt tonight that his future stepfather owned one of the most successful tour companies in the US. No wonder his mother decided to dump her last boyfriend to be with this one.
His mother's ex was just as rich, but apparently he had become sick of touring one country after another. He had wanted to stay in his country estate to enjoy the quiet life. Trey's mum, of course, couldn't bear the thought. She loved travelling. She had been bitten by the travel bug many, many years ago, and still suffered from it.
A clear concept formed in his head as he watched his mother. Of course, Kris would prefer Blake now that he'd given her a job. Why wouldn't she? Dancing was her first love and her lifetime ambition, and Blake was giving her a fantastic career opportunity.
A deep sorrow blended with his anger. For all the money he had, he couldn't give Kris what Blake could. Hell, he couldn't even dance. If he were to be rational about it, he couldn't really blame Kris for her choice. Why shouldn't she prefer Blake? They were much better suited to each other.
"Trey?" Rebecca said softly, rubbing his arm comfortingly.
"Listen, Bec. It's cool. Really, it is. You know I'm not the relationship kind of guy anyway. It's better that things between me and Kris didn't go any further. Just let her be happy with her new job and … new life." He wanted to be magnanimous enough to mention Blake's name but he simply couldn't.
"That's it? You're giving up?" Rebecca cried in dismay. "What if Kris had a good explanation for tonight? At least find out if she's willing to explain."
"I think she made her choice when she cancelled on me tonight to be with another man," he said.
His heart constricted so hard it surprised him his voice didn't crack.
*******
Trey walked into his apartment and left the lights off. Without thought, he strolled to the window and stared at the view that Kris loved so much. Merciless hands squeezed his heart as he thought of her.
Fuck. How the hell did it happen so fast? It was absolutely crazy. If it wasn't him who was experiencing it, he would have contended it was impossible to feel something so deeply for someone so quickly.
But as Rebecca had said, why lie?
He raked his hands through his hair. Okay, so he had fallen in love. Big deal, right? He'd get over it, and he'd do anything to make sure it was sooner rather than later.
He'd forgotten for a short while why he preferred the bachelor lifestyle, but he remembered it now.
He already had everything he needed in life. Sure, he might not have the one woman, but he had his pick of many. He didn't need a relationship. He had been genuinely fine without it before, so he'd be fine without Kris.
He bit his tongue to distract himself from the lancing pain in his chest. What could he do to hasten his recovery?
His ringing phone startled him. Kris? He fished it out of his pocket and scowled in disappointment.
"Hey, Adam," he said flatly.
"Hey, dude. You home?"
"Yeah."
"Good. I'll be there in two minutes," Adam said and abruptly hung up.
He sighed, preferring to be alone but Adam didn't give him the chance to decline his company.
He sat on the tub chair near the window and smiled wistfully as he remembered the few times he and Kris made love there.