Chapter 2

2

Every eye in the room was on me, some admiring, some sizing me up, some downright judgmental.

Tony's tie was crooked. I gave it a little adjustment, all smiles and sweetness, then sat down next to him.

Jake's shock quickly turned to a distant look, then to outright contempt as he realized who I was and what I was doing there.

Ten years had changed him into a sharp-suited businessman with his fiancée, Lisa, right by his side.

And me? I was Tony's 48-year-old side piece.

"Baby, I told you nine, what took you so long? You think you're so important that everyone should wait for you? Apologize to everyone."

Besides Lisa, there was another girl sitting with Mark, clearly his mistress.

My purpose for being there was painfully obvious.

I plastered on a smile, rattling off some apologies and downed three shots.

"Come on, Tony, don't be so hard on her, what did you teach her.

"Don't be dumb, if she does not behave, why do you have her?" Mark looked me up and down, his eyes lingering on my body.

Tony wasn't exactly rolling in dough, so he needed these connections. He looked at me for a split second, then told me to pour drinks for everyone.

I got the message, flashed a sweet smile, and started working the room.

When I got to Mark, his hand "accidentally" brushed against my thigh.

I glanced at Tony, hoping he wouldn't notice, or Mark was going to be in trouble.

I managed to get away and poured one last drink for Jake.

He had seen the whole "flirting" scene with Mark, and his mouth twisted into a sneer.

I went back to Tony, acting all attentive, practically spoon-feeding him.

That's when Tony's wife showed up.

She was wearing a designer suit, looked well taken care of, and her presence filled the room.

Tony's wife, Susan.

Her arrival made the atmosphere instantly tense, and the men were all looking at each other with glee.

I saw Tony's face freeze.

I thought she would go ballistic, tear my hair out, like in the movies.

But she didn't.

She didn't even look at me. She acted like I was just a piece of furniture in the room, nothing worth her attention.