11 Bringing down the house
11 Bringing down the house (Winona)
| turn around. My heart is pounding and I'm trying to concentrate on keeping my breathing even. It's
unbelievable that I'm even here, about to be civil to these two. I'd never have thought it possible two weeks ago.
| steel myself, paste a smile on my face and turn.
15
Jayden is standing there smiling and he looks amazing in his tuxedo with Ashlyn by his side. They look perfect
together, just like Jayden and | had looked perfect together at our senior prom. The night we'd finally made love
for the first time.
He was older now but no less sexy. Definitely more sexy than ever. Not that | had any right or need to notice. But
deep inside, the sight of him still affectedlike he always had. We should be a happy family right now instead
of this absolute mess. But | can't dwell on that fact. | smile at Ashlyn, clinging to Jayden's arm.
She's wearing an off-the-shoulder red dress that hugs her super-slim body tightly. | wore that exact sstyle
and shade to senior prom. She'd helpedpick it out. But it's what she's wearing around her neck that makes
The diamond necklace Jayden boughtfor graduation. Of course, he wouldn't remember it. But Ashlyn. knows
exactly what she's doing. She's unbelievable. She has him, why rub it in my face? | swear this woman is a few
sandwiches short of a picnic.
| just can't understand why she can't just leave it alone. Her jealousy is next level. Surely Jayden can see what
she's like. If he ever got his memories back, he'd know for sure how manipulated he is.
I'm not going to give her the satisfaction of mentioning it and having her think I notice or care about her choice
of dress or jewelry.
Instead, | smile. "There you two are! This night is so fantastic. It's good to be back really. | don't know why |
waited so long." Okay, so maybe that was a little immature but what the hell. "Jayden, thanks for the welcome
party, Phillip is a bit late but on the way." "You look stunning. Winona." Jayden says, and his eyes look a little
distant for a second.
My mind flashes back to the way he'd danced slowly withat prom. Holdingso close and murmuring in my
ear...
"You look stunning, my darling." He nuzzled my ear and we melted into each other with a magical kiss. Red is
your color. The color of molten lava, which is how hot | am for you right now."
| knew | was ready, and | knew we'd spend the rest of our lives together at that moment. | whispered into his ear,
"your tux looks great too, can't wait to see it on the floor."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHe chuckled and nuzzled my neck. "Hey, that's supposed to be my line! Let's get out of here early.
Ashlyn's sharp voice dragsback to reality.
H
"Oh, Winona, My goodness, it's been so long. Welcback," she says with fake sincerity while making her
massive engagement diamond on her left hand show. +25 DONUS
11 Bringing down the house
| can't even be bothered to play these stupid games. "Ashlyn. You two look amazing. Great to see you as well.
We were just talking about catching up sometime. | hope you'll join us
Ashlyn looks a little surprised by my offer but she doesn't argue. "That would be fun, | think. What do you think
my darling?" she asks Jayden but he isn't listening, he's staring over my shoulder. "Darling?" Ashlyn repeats and
touches his arm.
Jayden looks at her, "oh, sure thing. Love to."
| wonder if he's even heard the conversation and | look behindto see what Jayden was staring at and
| see Phillip holding court and looking super-hot in his very tailored tuxedo that shows every outline of his fit
body. | smile as he looks up atand waves. He excuses himself and comes over.
Well, well, is Jayden jealous? Maybe | can have a little fun in that case. Show Ashlyn how little | care about what
she has going on inside her head at the stime.
"Winona, I'm so sorry I'm late." He leans in and kisses my cheek and I link my arm through his. "Traffic and in a
strange town."
"No problem. I've been playing catch up with sold friends."
He reaches out and shakes hands with Jayden. "Mr. Brennan, thanks for the party. We both appreciate the formal
welcome."
"CallJayden when we're not in the office. This is my Fiancée, Ashlyn."
"Nice to meet you, Ashlyn." Phillip shakes her hand lightly.
| can see Lisa is staring open-mouthed at Phillip because he's really cover-model perfect. This is my chance. |
only hope Phillip catches on.
"Lisa and Lance, this is Philip. A partner in the firm | started and have just sold to Brennan Industries and my
partner in life."
I'm not sure if Ashlyn looked relieved or suspicious. Jayden's mouth drops open a little. But Phillip didn't miss a
beat and went along with me. "We're both happy to be here. | hope we can really be an asset to the business
and that | get to know you all as well as Winona does. She was quite excited about coming back."
Lisa smiled and shook his hand and gave him a small hug. "So wonderful to meet you, Phillip. | hope we get to
know you better very soon. | think we should all go to the club soon."
Lance shakes Phillip's hand and claps him on the shoulder. "Glad to have you on board. Are you a basketball man
or football man?"
"Basketball. Lakers."
"Hah! I'm a Lakers man too. We're going to get along fine. We should go catch the gnext week, | have
tickets."
"I won't say no to that."
Phillip knew how stressed | was to be
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11 Bringing down the house
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We all chatted a little more and
everyone dispersed into other
conversations with other Peopjgth
excused rpyoeltand welt to the
bsttitoom before dinner was served. |
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still hadn't seen Judy and that was a
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Outside the bathroom, Ashlyn is there waiting for me, alone.
"Ashlyn, still stalkingoutside bathrooms | see."
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Shut up. You should never have
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She looked atand smiled. "I'll show you ridiculous,
Okay, this is way too weird for me. | look for Phillip and see him laughing with Lance. Looks like the boys club is
in full swing. | hope Phillip doesn't slip up and mention Abby.
I'm about to walk over there when Ashlyn crashes into the side ofalmost knockingoff balance and
thrusts something into my hands. | glance at my hands to see my graduation necklace. The chain is broken.
Then Ashlyn cries out as she falls on the floor. Her long nails scrape at her neck as she goes, leaving a big
mark.