She laughed suddenly.
"Don't you think that's a pathetic excuse?"
I froze.
"The CEO of Apex is a man around your age. Even he has his mind on settling down. So what exactly are you pretending for?"
I couldn't find a rebuttal.
Everyone knew I'd been lovesick for years. The problem was, now that I'd finally come to my senses, nobody believed it. Not even my own business partner.
"Let me make this clear, Russ."
She lifted her chin.
"I didn't like you before, and now that I'm engaged, there's even less of a chance. If you keep throwing yourself at me, I'll only despise you more. Unless..."
Her eyes narrowed. "You think you can be my side piece?"
In that moment, I understood myself even less than before.
This woman standing in front of me.
Shallow. Arrogant. Completely classless.
Why had I torn myself apart fighting with Marcus over her?
A cold laugh escaped my throat.
I turned and walked away.
My partner would have to come apologize on her own time.
I stood at the banquet, quietly nursing a drink.
A snap of fingers.
Seven or eight women descended on me, surrounding me on all sides.
"Well, if it isn't the eldest Farley son. Eileen's engagement party, and you actually showed up."
"We were all betting you'd be too heartbroken to come."
"Looks like the eldest young master is still carrying that torch."
A hand slid onto my thigh.
I shoved it away in irritation.
"Ooh, a few years studying abroad and suddenly he's too good for us!"
"This isn't like the old days when you were begging us to put in a good word for you."
Back when I was hopelessly in love with Eileen, I hadn't just groveled for her. I'd groveled for her entire circle. Marcus was the multi-talented one, the one I could never measure up to. My only hope had been these women, convincing them to say something kind about me in front of Eileen.
I'd memorized all of Eileen's hobbies.
I'd memorized all of their hobbies too.
Every year I sent lavish gifts, practically bribing them to help me leave a good impression.
Looking back now, I genuinely couldn't fathom the person I used to be.
I simply hadn't known any better.
"Look, Eileen's engaged now. You never had a shot. You just can't compete with your little brother for her affection. That's a fact." She paused. "But it's not completely hopeless."
One of the women leaned in close. The reek of cheap perfume and alcohol spread through my nostrils.
"You let us girls break you in for one night, and we'll put in a good word. Get you a spot in Eileen's bed down the line. How's that sound?"
I tried to pull away.
Fingers clamped around my jaw. "Don't be shy. We'll keep it our little secret."
"Oh? Eileen?"
Someone spotted Eileen passing by.
"Eileen!" I stood up, but the women clung to me, holding me in place.
She'd heard everything. Every word.
"Eileen! Tell your friends to back off!"
A flicker of surprise crossed the women's faces. They glanced at one another.
But Eileen simply let one of them loop an arm around her waist.
Her expression didn't change. Not a flicker.
She turned and walked away.
"Ei—"
"Easy there, young master."
Two of them pressed me back down, one on each side. A glass was pushed to my lips.
"How do you still not get it? In Eileen's world, your brother ranks above us. We rank above the dog. And the dog ranks above you."
My face went cold.
"So be a good boy. Let us clean you up nice, and we'll talk to Eileen for you. Get you a spot at her side as her loyal little pet."
"That's right. Relax. We'll keep it between us."
The champagne flute tightened in my grip until my knuckles went white.
