Page 33

His expression settles into one of irritated condescension. “Well, look where she ended up—and where I have.Iwon.”

“Yeah, sure looks like winning—throwing away the only woman who ever loved you for who you were, not what you had, and then picking up barely legal girls who are only with you for money. Two thumbs up, Trevor.” I give him the thumbs.

“Your mother only stayed with me because she was stupid enough to get pregnant before we got married.”

A decision she must’ve regretted for decades. Although she always told me I was the best thing that ever happened to her, sometimes I can’t help wondering if her life would’ve been better if she hadn’t had me. “In case you failed biology, it takestwoto create a baby. Although I do agree she was stupid to have given you a chance to begin with.” I pretend to gag. “But she wised up. And kicked your sorry ass to the curb when she found out you cheated on her.”

“Think you’ll do better? That your boyfriend will be faithful to you for life?”

“Yeah, I do.”

He scoffs. “And where’d you get that idea? Surely not from your boss.”

My eyebrows pull together. “Why are you dragging him into this?”

Trevor gives me a look that says I’m not fooling anybody, although that still doesn’t clarify things. Then he sneers. “Because it’s obvious—to everyone, I imagine—that you’re banging him. Why else would he have hired you?”

My jaw drops. “Howdareyou!”

He continues as though I haven’t spoken. “I thought he looked familiar, and it finally hit me. Rhys Kingswood. His parents have a famously ‘open’ marriage, pasting on a false façade of respectability for the family. You know why they do it? They want to be frank about their extracurricular activities. That man who disrespected me for my little indiscretions isn’tany different from his parents…or me.” Trevor’s eyes glint with malice. “You become what you see growing up.”

“Bullshit. I’ll never—”

“You’re a prime example! You got all of your mother’s rigidity and bitchiness.” He pauses, like he’s expecting me to bristle and deny it.

I place a hand over my chest and let out a relieved breath. “Thank God! You havenoidea how happy it makes me I got none of yourflexible morality. I’d rather be a rigid bitch than an animal who gives in to every base urge.”

“Oh, yes, there’s the sanctimony as well. Forgot that.”

“Andloyalty.” I shake my head, sad that it’s impossible to return one’s father. I don’t even want a refund; I just don’t want him. “Not all men are like you. I’m not letting your screwups mess me up and prevent me from finding true love and living the best life I can. I’m going to be fulfilled and loved.”

Trevor guffaws. “True love? Aren’t you a bit old for fairytales?”

A shrug. “I already found my Prince Charming. Jeffrey is perfect. We share the same values. Most importantly, he loves and understands me. He’d never do anything to hurt me—”

A low laugh cuts through the lobby. The sound is so familiar, shock clutches my heart, but it can’t possibly be who I think it is.

I turn to my left and spot a brown-haired guy dipping his head and kissing a stunning redhead by the entrance to the bar. Instantly, the tip of my left eyebrow starts to throb. What thefuck?

Jeffrey?!

The impact of seeing him slams into me like a wrecking ball. The happy cheeseburger in my belly starts to churn. I clench my teeth and blinkhard, just to make sure I’m not hallucinating.

A few people walk past him, but he doesn’t seem to notice, lost in shoving his tongue as deep into her throat as possible. Fora very long moment, my mind simply refuses to accept what it’s seeing. But then reality snaps into focus.

My vision narrows until all I can see is him and the redhead. I march toward him, my strides short and brisk. The air around me thins as fury and humiliation erupt like a volcano.Un-fucking-believable!

He was supposed to bethe one—the man who could help me realize Mom’s wish to see me happy and fulfilled.

“Jeffrey!” I call out, my voice shaking.

His eyes closed and mouth still on her, he lifts a finger, gesturing at me to wait. He seems unable to tear his mouth from the redhead, like he has octopus suction cups for lips.

I grab the finger and twist.

“Ow!” He spins around, his face red. “What the fuck, man—” Whatever he was about to say dies. “Max? What are you doing here?” He runs a hand through his hair. “Aren’t you supposed to be in Toronto?”

“No, I’mright here in Tokyo.”