Page 90 of Pink and Country

“April, this is Judith Grayson. A music producer. Judith, this is April.” A tall man with a beard tapped Carter on the shoulder, requiring his attention. I followed their interaction, but soon, my gaze landed back on Mrs. Grayson.

“You two are absolutely ravishing together, my dear,” the woman said in her strong English accent. “It’s lovely to see Mr. Hills beaming tonight.” She rested her frail hand on my forearm. “He’s usually moody at these events and doesn’t really mingle.” Closing the distance between us, she added, “Mr. Hills never smiles in public. Tonight, he’s happy, more like the Mr. Hills he is in private.”

Whoever this woman was, she seemed to know Carter a lot. Though, I doubted I had anything to do with his change of attitude everyone kept talking about.

The woman squeezed my arm and left. I scanned the room. A loud gasp left my mouth. I strangled my champagne glass, almost crushing it.

Too eager to fit in tonight, I’d dismissed the actual event.

Our eyes locked, and my breath caught in my lungs.

My skin burned.

My stomach churned.

The column of my throat filled with bile.

This couldn’t be happening. Was fate that cruel? From across the room, we engaged in a staring contest. I sipped on my champagne, hoping it’d dissolve the acid taste down my throat. Feeling brave, I forced a smile. They didn’t return it. They looked as if they’d seen a ghost. My airways constricted, and my knees buckled.

Since Travis’s death, things had never been the same between us. They faulted me for how their son’s life ended, never taking the time to understand his last wishes.

In their state of grief, Travis’s parents preferred to alienate me than to be mad at their own blood. I got it. But it didn’t hurt any less.

We used to have a great relationship. Not anymore. Travis pushed them away at the end. They never forgave him and shifted their wrath on me since I was the one still alive.

The Bensons and I hadn’t talked since the funeral. Three years ago. Every detail got dealt with between our lawyers.

I took no penny from Travis’s family. Not a dime. I distanced myself from everything related to them.

“What’s wrong, April?” Lost in the moment, I failed to notice the worrisome look Carter gave me.

“Saw people I haven’t seen in a long time. Never thought I’d ever see them again. Not here. Not now. They belong to my past.” A thread of air made its way to my lungs. I knitted my fingers through Carter’s. “I’m fine.”

Carter tilted his head down, and his lips skimmed over mine, light feathers.

“You’re pale. Are you sure you’re all right?”

I nodded and forced a smile.

“I need to go get ready. Will you be okay by yourself for a moment?” I nodded again. “Taylor will stay close if you need him.”

Ice filled my veins. I wasn’t okay, but how could I tell him? Carter brushed his knuckles along my jaw, and I shivered. We locked our gazes for a second, and he followed Ed backstage.

I hugged myself with my arms, taking in the crowd of rich and famous people surrounding me.

For a second, I closed my eyes and took a cleansing breath before accepting the glass of champagne the server handed me after I chugged the previous one.

A tall brunette neared me. “Oh, it’s you. I’ve been dying to meet you,” she said, closing in on my right. I turned my head and met with Savannah Prince.

Unlike Carter Hills, I could recognize her anywhere.

At least five-foot-ten, with long dark brown locks, onyx-brown irises, and high cheekbones, she looked nothing less than fabulous.

We eyed each other for a beat.

She pouted, her plump lips giving her a sexy and irresistible appearance.

Savannah Prince crossed her arms under her large breasts, lifting them up, almost freeing them from the plunging V-neckline of her red gown, and plastered a fake smile on her face, her eyes studying me.