Page 42 of Don’t Forget Me

I sent her a skeptical glance. Knowing Camille, she probably didn’t make it difficult enough for him to return to her life again. Zack knew how to charm her when we were at Blackthorn House Academy, and she had decided to break things off between them when she discovered what he had done.

“How’s his hearing?” I asked.

“Still impaired in one ear.” She winked.

She did have a good argument, though. It wouldn’t hurt to eat some good, rich people food while looking extremely attractive in front of my ex-boyfriend.

“Let’s go shopping,” I said with a grin.

“He’s not going to be able to take his eyes off of you,” Camille squealed as she jumped side to side, nearing the front door. I feared that the people inside would hear her, but then I could feel the pounding of the cadence within. It was one of those parties where there would be violins playing, platters of cheese being passed around, and thin wine glasses being clinked in every corner of the loft. Which meant the attire needed to be pristine, elegant, and poised.

Camille and I had spent almost four hours at the mall, trying to find the perfect dress that would potentially capture Ezra’s gaze and still fit my personality.

We decided to go for a white dress with round buttons that ran from the collar down to the waist. It had a soft neckband bending above the collarbone. The skirt flew freely below my hips. It was a comfortable gown, made of satin, which kept me warm against the crisp autumn air.

“Let’s hope for the best,” I muttered with a sigh as she knocked on the polished wooden door.

We were met by a petite blonde in a black and white suit, a platter balanced on one of her hands. I wasn’t ready for the many parties that would be planned after the movie deal. I just knew that my publisher would want to host one, and knowing Camille, she would as well.

So many parties in the name of business and networking. I hated this part of being an author.

“Welcome, ladies! Come on inside and enjoy yourselves. Would you like a bit of Gouda?” The woman extended the platter toward us, almost shoving it into my mouth.

“I’m okay,” I struggled to say, pushing the plate away slightly.

The blonde woman nodded and headed into a buzz-filled corridor. My heart raced as I ventured deeper into the apartment. I was still engaged to Aldair, I would have to remember to remain restrained.

My discipline wavered when I spotted Ezra laughing with a glass of wine swirling between his fingers. His blue eyes shone under the candlelight, and his skin glowed under the luminosity of the chandeliers hanging above.

I wondered how he seemed to be the spitting image of a celestial being.

“You’re salivating,” Camille whispered, leaning toward me.

I sighed and elbowed her. “Well, don’t make it obvious.”

“Let’s mingle and circle back. That way you don’t seem desperate,” she suggested. I rolled my eyes.

“Nothing’s going to happen,” I argued.

“I doubt that.” Camille smirked as she patted my arm and disappeared among the crowd. I watched as she grabbed a glass of champagne from one of the servers.

It was difficult for me to make conversation with the other guests; I had no choice but to remain in the kitchen. Near the food. The platters beside me were my only support system as I noticed Camille entranced by Zack’s discourse. From where I stood, I could see the sparkle in her gaze. He didn’t deserve her, no matter how much he claimed that he had changed. She was too good for him, but she didn’t realize that.

I felt a burning rage building up inside my chest when he leaned down and whispered into her ear.

“Isn’t it an odd sight?” he asked. I was ripped from my thoughts by his angelic voice. And there he was. By my side, a magnificent grin playing on his lips.

“I don’t like it,” I said bluntly. I didn’t care if Zack was his childhood friend; Camille was worthy of so much more. Perhaps even a prince.

“I don’t either, to be truthful.”

My gaze caught his, one of my brows quirked upward. There was a sense of dignity on his part, knowing that his friend didn’t deserve Camille.

“Now that you’re here, I wanted to express my gratitude for extending an invitation to us.”

“Of course. Your team and my own have been working so closely these the past weeks, I thought it would only be fair if I requested your presence at my bash.”

I would have smiled back at him, had this whole conversation not felt so phony, so professional, so distant. I hated it. This wasn’t us. We went far deeper than this, like the depths of the oceans.