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Daph spins, her eyes briefly connecting with mine, and I’m suddenly overcome with a sense of relief that I don’t know what her lips feel like pressed against me.
Because I don’t know how, even in the midst of my temporary insanity, I ever thought I’d be able to focus on anything else after experiencing such a thing.
CHAPTER 18
NOW
DAPHNE
“What do you mean you’re not coming? Lucian, it’s our wedding registry. Your input is kind of necessary.” I stand in front of the high-end home goods store, pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration.
“I told you earlier in the week when you booked this for today that there were no guarantees I could make it.” Lucian groans. “You know I have to work one Saturday a month. I don’t know why you would’ve scheduled it for today of all days.”
I stifle a snort at his use of the term “work.” He’s so full of shit. Luc may have been at the office today, but it was for all of five minutes when he picked up one of the secretaries before heading out to one of his family’s properties on Long Island.
I’m not an idiot, though he obviously takes me for one. Every month, Luc disappears for an entire Saturday under the guise of work. However, he’s really off fucking one of the sluts from his office. It’s a mutually beneficial, albeit sad, deal for them. The flavor of the month gets to feel important for the day, while Luc gets to bask in the adoration his ego craves when he pulls up to one of his family’s mansions, and the blonde bimbo beside him stares at him like he’s the most spectacular catch to ever walk the earth.
Some may consider it wrong the way I’m quick to throw such derogatory terms around when it comes to his side pieces. That it’s somehow a betrayal to the “sisterhood” to condemn them when he’s the one who’s engaged. To that, I say, fair point. He’s a cheating asshole. However, call me a traditionalist, but there’s just something that doesn’t sit right with me when a chick will smile to my face when I drop by the office on a random Wednesday, only to happily choke on my fiancé’s cock three days later. Just doesn’t scream girl power if you ask me.
“Daphne.” He sighs. “How about I try to get out of my afternoon meetings? I obviously won’t make the appointment, but we could meet for an early dinner. What do you say, sweetheart?”
“I say save yourself the two hours it would take you to trek your ass all the way back up here from Long Island this time of day, and go back to fucking your skank, Luc. Just don’t complain when you don’t like the China pattern I pick out.”
I hang up, stuffing my cell into my purse just as the screen lights up with his picture. The vibrations of his incoming call continue for several more seconds before cutting out, only to restart again moments later. I’m not surprised. Though I’ve known about Luc’s transgressions for nearly the entire time we’ve been together, I’ve never called him out. My sudden revelation no doubt has him rattled, though I assume that has less to do with me and more so over concern surrounding the PR nightmare his parents would be subjected to if his son’s engagement fell through over him fucking a lowly office employee.
No one in our social circles wants to be branded a cliché, though we all are one in some variation or another.
The vibrations continue to hum in my bag as I enter the store, only serving to fuel my annoyance. I reach in to silence the phone once more before turning it off altogether. As the screen powers down, a wave of disappointment washes over me. I feel like I really don’t ask much of him. I don’t give ultimatums. I turn a blind eye to his extracurricular activities. All I expect in response is for when there is a conflict between the lives he leads, that he put me first.
Pick me. Why is that such an unreasonable expectation?
“Can I help you?” An older gentleman with salt and pepper hair greets me, clutching an iPad.
“Yes. Hello. I’m Daphne Burke. I have an appointment to register for my wedding.”
Glancing down at his iPad, he taps the screen several times before looking back to me with a warm smile. “I’ve got you right here Ms. Burke. And may I say, congratulations to you and Mr.—” He glances back down to the screen. “—Devoreaux on your upcoming nuptials.”
“Thank you.” I manage to force a smile.
“My name is Gerald. I see here it looks like you pre-registered all your information. So, once Mr. Devoreaux joins us, I’ll take you back and show you how to work the scanners then set you free in the store.”
“Oh, he’s—”
“Late! Sorry!” a deep voice calls out from behind me, his imposing frame appearing a split second later in my peripheral as he comes to a stop beside me.
What. The actual. Fuck.
“Sorry, princess.” Nicky presses a kiss to my cheek.
“Not yet, but you will be,” I whisper through gritted teeth before driving my elbow into his side. He chuckles in response, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me into him.
“Mr. Devoreaux?” Gerald smiles, seemingly oblivious to our tense exchange.
“Call me Nick.” He extends his hand, which Gerald promptly shakes.
“I’m sorry, sir. It appears we have incorrect information. We have you in the system as Lucian. I’ll correct that immediately.”
“No need,” Nicky interjects. “Nick’s simply a nickname.”
