Battling Destiny (The Piper Anderson Series Book 6) (5 page)

“Hello Elizabeth,” he said with the slightest sign of a smile, all he could muster. Her smile, on the other hand, was enormous. She hadn’t changed much since the last time Michael had seen her, though this time she wasn’t crying and begging him not to leave. Her eyes were still the darkest brown he’d ever seen but now, rather than their natural glow, they were surrounded with so much makeup you could hardly see how naturally beautiful they were.

“I missed you at the services. I thought maybe you were trying to avoid me.” Elizabeth’s voice was sultry as she brushed her hand against Michael’s shoulder teasingly.

“I’ll leave you two to catch up,” his mother chimed with a waggle of her eyebrows. “Oh do you hear that? Isn’t that your song the orchestra is playing? I could really use someone to break the ice on the dance floor. Thank you for volunteering.” His mom shooed them both toward the floor, and Elizabeth practically jumped into Michael’s reluctant arms.

“It’s been so long, but you still look great,” Elizabeth cooed as she peered affectionately up into Michael’s eyes. “It’s been a hell of a year for me. I just signed my divorce papers.”

“I’m sorry to hear it didn’t work out with you and Mark,” Michael offered, averting his eyes and focusing on making sure for every centimeter Elizabeth moved in he moved an equal distance away.

“He is engaged to his mistress now. It’s ridiculous. She’s nineteen years old. I swear if it weren’t for the colossal alimony I’d want to kill him. There are rules and he broke them.”

“I’m sorry he cheated on you. Wedding vows aren’t meant to be ignored like that.”

“I’m not naïve, Michael. Every man is going to cheat. That’s just a given. The rules I’m talking about are discretion, and if you are exposed you don’t go out and marry the little twit. It’s mortifying.”

Any bit of nostalgic warmth for the girl he’d deserted here years ago was instantly extinguished by the realization she’d become one of them. Elizabeth was no different than his mother or any of the other myopic and selfish women here tonight. They’d all traded their dignity for a fancy dress, a large bank account, and a glamorous house.

“It makes me wish things had worked out between you and me,” Elizabeth said with a smile as she reached up and ran a hand through Michael’s hair. The pit of his stomach flamed at the thought of his own marriage vows. “Maybe this timing is fate’s way of telling us we should give it another try.”

“How can you live like this, Elizabeth,” Michael asked, jerking his head away from her hand. “You are better than just expecting a cheating husband and cashing in on alimony. You’re better than this world.”

“This world is what afforded you an education and funded your entire childhood. Every advantage you have comes from here. What’s your problem?” Elizabeth’s dark eyes narrowed and Michael knew she was contemplating whether or not he was one of them. If he weren’t careful the entire conversation would change and the rumors she’d spread would take over this entire party quickly.

“I’m sorry.” He shook his head as though he were fighting off a haunting ghost. “It’s been an emotional time, that’s all. I’m just overwhelmed.”

“Of course,” Elizabeth comforted as she squeezed his bicep. “I should have been more sensitive; I’m sorry. I was hoping maybe there would still be something between us.”

“It’s over,” Michael said flatly as he released her and stepped backward. “The song, it’s over. I’m going to grab another glass of champagne.”

“I’ll come with you,” Elizabeth offered as she laced her arm in his and smiled at the chattering heads, who were eyeing them like paparazzi hunting a socialite.

“Michael,” his sister called from the open terrace behind them. “Mother wants us to take some photos. She said to bring Elizabeth.”

“I’m grabbing a drink,” Michael groaned, trying to ignore his sister.

“Now, Michael,” Jo insisted as she pointed toward the large garden below the terrace. “The newspaper is here and they want a shot of us.”

“I’ll stay with you, Michael.” Elizabeth tightened her grip on his arm as she spun toward the door and led him away from the champagne.

He tried desperately to remind himself this was all temporary. By tomorrow night he’d be on a plane heading back to Edenville and trying to put his life back together. This toxic, all-consuming place would be just a blip on his radar, and he could go back to pretending it never existed.

“Are you sure you’re ready?” Lindsey asked as she and Jules stared up at the large marble steps in front of them. There were droves of people heading through the large oak doors, held open by men in tuxedos. Everyone looked pristinely put together, and Jules immediately felt as though her lack of accessories would be spotted by every eye in the room. She didn’t have the glamorous, shimmering diamond necklace or the boxy, embellished clutch tucked under the crook of her arm. “Bobby said Michael told him he’d be back in Edenville by the weekend. There is still time to turn around and just wait for Michael to come back.”

“If I don’t see what’s going on with my own two eyes I’ll never be able to let him just waltz back into town with an explanation and pretend that’s enough for me. Going in there and facing whatever this is about is the only way I’m going to be able to move on or forgive him.” Jules sucked in a deep breath and pulled the bottom of her long dress up slightly as she ascended the large steps toward the hall.

Stepping inside, she heard Lindsey let out an audible curse word that summed up exactly how Jules was feeling. The majesty of this room was breathtaking. The high ceilings were decorated with a million tiny globes of light, casting the most beautiful glow. The walls were draped in lush dark blue material, giving the illusion of being underwater. Jules had been one of those girls who, as a child, closed her eyes at night and wished she would magically wake up as a princess the next morning. She’d read every fashion magazine and dreamed about living a life like she saw on television. Edenville always seemed too small for her eclectic dynamic personality, but somehow she never left her hometown.

She knew her eyes were as large as saucers as she took in every tiny detail that all added up to picture-perfect beauty. The smell of expensive perfume and gourmet food almost bowled her over.

“Welcome, ladies,” a man’s voice called out behind them, sending them both jumping slightly. “I’m Spencer Clintensburg. I’ll be your concierge for tonight’s event. Anything you need, I’ll ensure you have it.” The pointy-nosed man in white gloves and a tuxedo passed them each a glass of champagne. “The caviar table is to your left; dinner will be served in just under an hour. The orchestra is taking requests and the silent auction begins at ten o’clock.”

“Thank you,” Jules muttered as she smiled warmly at the short man with a combover.

“May I introduce you around the room or are you familiar with many guests here tonight?” he asked, gesturing toward the crowd of people.

“We’re friends with the Cooper family,” Lindsey chimed in. “We’ve just flown in and were sorry to miss the services. We’d like to pay our condolences. Are they all here tonight?”

“They are. Mrs. Cooper,” the man started and Jules had to bite her tongue from answering as though he was talking to her, since that was her name as well, “is always a very gracious host and will surely be on the floor making her rounds most of the night. Her daughter, Josephine, has been quiet since the passing of her father, but I’m sure she’ll be out for the silent auction. The Coopers are public servants at heart, and they always rally for a cause. I’ve worked for the family for over a decade now.”

“And Michael?” Jules asked, holding her breath until she heard the answer.

“Yes, he is here as well. I just saw him on the dance floor with his girlfriend, Elizabeth. I believe they stepped out back for some pictures for the newspaper.”

“Elizabeth?” Jules coughed out over a sip of her champagne.

“Yes, a very sweet girl Michael has known since high school. It warmed my heart to see them out there dancing. I think they are an exceptional couple. Two well-pedigreed families coming together is never a bad thing.” Spencer tipped his head and winked at the idea of the cute couple. “Can I get you anything else for now?”

“I’ll take another glass of champagne,” Jules demanded with her free hand, waving for another glass.

“You want two glasses of champagne?” Spencer asked, looking confused.

“No I want ten glasses,” Jules barked, grabbing the second glass from the passing tray by herself. “But I only have two hands so that’s going to have to do for now.”

She turned on her heel and made her way toward the back of the room. The open doors to the terrace were blocked by gawking people, and she had every intention of knocking over as many as she could on her way out.

“Stop, Jules,” Lindsey ordered and clutched the meat of her arm tightly. “Take a breath and let’s make a plan here. You don’t need to blow up on him right now in public. That’s going to make you look like the bad guy.”

“And what do you suggest? It better involve tossing these two glasses of champagne in his face.”

“There are a dozen sides to every story, and right now you know one,” Lindsey stressed as she took the two glasses gently from her. Jules could see Lindsey’s expertise kicking in, like she was talking someone off a ledge with just the right amount of firmness and empathy. “Let me go out there and talk to him. You go off somewhere quiet, like over by the window, and I’ll send him in.”

Jules couldn’t muster the words to agree, but she gave a nearly imperceptible nod that seemed enough for Lindsey. She made her way to the window and looked down over the expansive gardens that had been pruned into a work of art. She wished she were here for some other reason. She wished she had come to this event on Michael’s arm and been able to experience it with an air of enthusiasm rather than the molten hot rage she was feeling.

Through the perfectly spotless window she finally spotted Michael in a sea of people. There were flashing cameras and hustling staff jogging around looking busy. And on her husband’s arm was a staggeringly gorgeous woman whose diamonds sparkled brighter than the stars on a cloudless night in Edenville.

Though Jules had started the evening feeling pretty in her dress, the sight of this woman washed that away with the force of a tsunami. Her long brown hair cascaded over her toned shoulders in tight ringlets that looked like they’d taken all day to sculpt. Her smile was so perfect and glistening it seemed to cast a light around her. The gown she wore had an open back that plunged low and showcased her elegant and feminine back. But it was the way she was standing that struck Jules the hardest. This woman belonged here. She stood in a way that said she’d been to a thousand of these events.

Jules held her breath as Lindsey approached Michael. The way his face froze with shock pained her; he looked like he’d been caught as he hastily shook the gorgeous woman off his arm and stepped to the side to hear what Lindsey had to say. His gaze shifted toward the window where Jules stood, and he shook his head in disbelief before charging up the stairs in a near run.

When he burst through the open door and approached her she felt her heart flutter at the scent of his familiar musk. She beat back the urge to fall into his arms.

“Jules. What the hell are you doing here? You have to go, now.” The firmness in his voice and the lack of an attempt to touch her pushed her over the edge. If there was going to be any kind of last-ditch explanation this is where he would make it, but there was nothing. Things were exactly as they seemed.

“You’re a bastard,” Jules hissed as she narrowed her eyes at him. “How could you do this to us?”

“Is Frankie here? Is she in Ohio?” His voice was low but panicked, clearly trying not to draw the eyes of everyone in the room.

“I’m sorry if the presence of your daughter in this state intrudes upon the second life you’re living out here. Don’t even say her name. You don’t deserve her. You don’t deserve either of us. We’ll be gone by morning and don’t bother coming back to Edenville. You aren’t welcome.”

“Jules, don’t overreact—let me fix this. I can explain everything but I need you to leave now. I’ll call you, and we’ll work this out.”

“We’re done.” Jules spun away as Lindsey came to her side, and they both strode at bullet speed toward the door. Though her words didn’t say it, Jules hoped at any second, just before she reached their town car, Michael would stop her. Even if she hated him right now, even if there was no amount of explaining to fix this, she still wanted to know he was chasing her. But as she sank into the seat of the car and stared back at the marble steps, all hope was dashed. He had let her go, and now she’d have to find a way for her heart to let him go as well.

Jules let the hotel room door slam shut before she remembered Frankie would be sleeping by now. Piper’s head popped out from around the corner and all Jules could manage was a pathetic wave before crumpling into tears.

“What happened?” Piper begged as she hesitantly moved toward Jules. “Did you see him? What did he say?”

“He told me to leave,” Jules sobbed, toppling over her emotional dam and letting herself sink into the agony she was feeling. She hadn’t wanted to fall apart in the car with Lindsey but now, here with her best friend, she knew she could give in.