“Sure, talk.”
“Alone?”
“Not a chance in hell,” I say.
The little prick rubs a hand over his mouth. His eyes dance between me and Nora. Finally, he relents.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For everything. I miss you, Nora. I made a mistake, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get you back. I just need you to give me a chance.”
“Are you crazy? You lied to me and cheated on me. Our relationship wasn’t even real to begin with. You humiliated me, Todd.” Nora wraps her arms around my waist, taking the comfort I’m more than willing to give. “I’m with someone else now, and I’m happy—happier than I’ve been in a long time, and no way in hell will I give that up.”
“He doesn’t know you.”
“He knows me better than you ever did,” she fires back.
Todd shakes his head. “You’re making a huge mistake.”
“It would seem that my huge mistake was ever giving you the time of day. Now, if you’ll excuse us.”
We walk to a nearby empty table.
“I’m proud of you for standing up to him.”
“Thanks. I’m shaking.”
“I know.” I rub her arms. “You did great.”
“I’m glad you’re here with me, Grayson.”
“Me too.”
“Nora, darling, is that you?” I hear a woman say.
We turn to see a group of three women, all equally beautiful and dressed to the nines. I know I’ve seen them before, but I couldn’t tell you where.
Air kisses are exchanged, and then Nora introduces me. “Grayson, this is Violet Ward, Scarlett Townsend, and Penelope Frost. Girls, this is my boyfriend, Grayson Calhoun.”
I recognize each of the names, but I still can’t place them.
“Good evening, ladies,” I say, giving a polite nod.
Scarlett and Penelope ogle me openly while Violet gives me a careful onceover.
“I’m glad you finally ditched Todd,” Scarlett says. “He’s such an ass.”
Penelope nods. “He hit on me at an award show once. I told him we were friends and
he could go to hell.”
“You never told me that,” Nora says.
“Oh, I didn’t?” Penelope waves her off. “I thought I did.”
I stand patiently beside Nora as she makes small talk with the girls, and then they eventually walk away and several other people approach. Each one barely spares me a glance before doting over Nora, who makes it a point to introduce me to each one of them.