It took you long enough to ask. I’ve invested too much damn time landing you for you to get rid of me.Jenny smiled and her shoulders eased as she answered in her thoughts.
A blush crept onto the woman’s cheek as she leaned in and pressed a kiss to Grant’s lips, as if to remind him what exactly she had to offer. “I’ve never been able to say no to you.”
That’s going to change. In another month, I’ll be your wife, and we’ll hire a gofer to run those stupid errands you claim to trust only me to handle. There will be changes, all right. No more dealing with the leeches bleeding you dry.
Poor Grant. He had no clue the type of person wearing his engagement ring. Beautiful on the outside and ugly on the inside. It wasn’t my place to tell him. We’d done that song and dance before, back in middle school. He’d thought I was after his girlfriend and lied about the reason they should break up. Grant demanded I not tell him any more of his girlfriend’s secrets, claiming he didn’t want to know and could live in blissful ignorance.
Could I let him continue?
The future Mrs. Michaels had a body that could bend a strong man’s will and a cunning mind that would pickpocket every last penny he earned.
“Mr. Michaels,” Wendy, Grant’s personal assistant, said as she approached. Her black dress was understated, but her smile was genuine. She was as real as her temper and her curly red hair.
We’d known Wendy since the age of five. Grant and I had both witnessed her temper back in elementary school. Grant had pushed Wendy’s brother down, and Wendy had retaliated fast with a roundhouse kick to the side of the head. Not even I saw that coming.
She was a cute firecracker who was still crushing on my best friend even though he was too blind to see. She was the girl for him. Hell, I didn’t have to be a mind reader to see the love and desire that shone in her eyes.
Poor schmuck needed more of my help than he realized.
“Ashton, I wasn’t aware you’d arrived,” Wendy said with a hint of a blush tinting her cheeks. Her smile grew as she greeted me like an old friend. “I’m so glad you made it. It’s good to see you again.”
I touched her arm and smiled, laying a friendly kiss on her cheek. “I wouldn’t have missed it.”
Grant’s gaze dropped where I touched Wendy’s arm, and his jaw tightened. He cleared his throat. “Yes, Wendy?”
“You have an unexpected guest.”
“Who?” Grant asked.
“Mr. Campbell, and he said it’s urgent he speak with you. I put him in your office.” Wendy’s brows furrowed.If that slimy bastard grabs my butt one more time, I swear to God…
“Darling, why is your private investigator here? You promised not to conduct business during the party,” Jenny said.
He lied to me again. If Phillip Campbell shows him those damn photos, I’m going to kill him and demand every single blackmailed cent he charged me after I rip his heart out and eat it for breakfast.
Well, well, well, maybe I should have shown up to the last party. I could have enlightened Grant about whatever game Jenny was playing.
“I had no intention of working, Jenny-boo, but if Campbell is here tonight, he must need to see me.” Grant lifted his glass and inclined his head, gesturing across the room. “Regina just showed up over there, and I know you wanted to update her on some of the wedding ideas you have for the venue. Now’s your chance.”
Jenny’s green eyes darkened and narrowed as she pressed a fine line with her lips. Her agitation only lasted a moment before she masked her displeasure and replaced it with that of an understanding fiancée. The change was quick and subtle, but I caught it nonetheless.
“Of course, but don’t be too long. You promised,” she said before sauntering off.
“Ashton, I need you to sit in on this,” Grant said.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but you weren’t expecting Campbell tonight?”
“In my head again?”
“It’s hard not to be, and we really need to talk about Jenny.”
Grant gestured down the hall away from the crowd. “She’s off-limits like all the rest. I don’t care what she’s thinking.”
He’d change his mind once I told him about the blackmail and photos. I could only imagine the extent of her betrayal.
“I’m your best friend, and you generally heed my warnings, and, Grant, we really need to discuss Jenny…”
“Unless that sentence ends with discussing your need to personally pick out her security detail, then just stop right there.” He reached for the doorknob and paused. His brows furrowed. “You promised not to tell me unless I ask, and I’m not asking. I don’t want to know.”
