had appeared. “That’s just silly, Cole. You know me. I’m the same woman I was when you proposed—the same woman I was the night you told me you loved me and wanted to spend the rest of your life with me.”
“No, you’re not. You used to smile. And laugh. Now you only smile if you’re mocking somebody. Or being cruel.” He looked away as he pushed off the door. “And that’s not who I want to spend my life with.”
Taking a deep breath, he said softly, “This engagement is off, Mara. I’ll pick up my stuff and move out of the condo next week. I’ll sign it over to you—you can have it. And I’ll honor my agreement on the store. But that’s it. We’re done.”
“Cole, wait.”
He opened the door as he looked back at her.
“You can’t do this,” she said, her voice shaking. “Not to me. Not here.”
“I didn’t want to do it here. But I can do it...and I am. I’m not going to spend my life with someone who is obviously so unhappy. Life’s too short, Mara. Get out there and enjoy it—stop worrying so much about getting ahead and just live.”
Chapter Three
“Getting close to time,” Lacey mused.
“I know.” Rocki gave her friend an amused glance and nodded toward the clock on the wall. “I can read a clock, you know.”
“Bitch.” It was delivered in a friendly tone, along with an elbow in the side. Hard.
“Hey!” Rocki slammed a hand against the wall to keep from toppling over and glared at Lacey. “You’re the bitch. Bitch. Would stop trying to send me careening to the floor?”
“Can’t help it...it was just so funny the one time you did go down...” Lacey wagged her eyebrows. That was one night she’d never let Rocki live down—hadn’t mattered that both of them had been drunk. “So...you going to let some hot guy bid on you this year?”
“Oh, puh-leeze.” She sighed and sipped from the one glass of champagne she’d allow herself for now. She’d have more later. After this was all over. Champagne. Or something stronger. Probably something stronger, so she didn’t have to think about that damn card. And the call she’d have to make soon, because she knew the cards weren’t going to stop.
“You going to tell me what’s up with you?”
With a smile, Rocki lied between her teeth. “Nothing.” She’d have to come clean with Lacey. Especially if another one of those cards showed. Lacey’s brother, Clayton, was one of the friends she figured she’d call—he’d been one of Brant’s closer friends. He would take it seriously, too. But until another one showed, she wasn’t going to worry about it. If another one came...then, fine. She’d deal. And she’d deal appropriately. But not now—she had to get through tonight first.
“You know, if I didn’t know you, I could believe you,” Lacey said on a sigh. “But I do know you. And I know you’re lying.”
“Sucks, doesn’t it?”
“Bitch,” Lacey muttered. Then she groaned. “Speaking of bitches...here’s the Wicked Witch of High Street coming now. And she looks like she’s up to no good.”
Yeah, Rocki had to agree. The glint of Mara O’Keily’s eyes was all the warning Rocki needed. As she sipped from her champagne glass, she glanced at her friend Lacey. Behind the glass, she whispered, “If you disappear, I’m going to deck you. And keep your trap shut, too.”
Lacey grimaced. “That woman is a viper.”
“I know.”
Five seconds later, Mara was there, smiling a hard, brittle smile. The look in her eyes was bright, almost too bright. And disconnected. “Oh, there you are, Rocki...I’ve been looking for you. Although in that get-up, you’re rather hard to miss.”
“Well, I like to make a statement.” Rocki smiled. She studied Mara’s dress and said, “I suppose I could try something like that, but I doubt it would work on me.”
“Your boobs would runneth over, no doubt,” Lacey said, grinning. “That sort of thing works best on the boobless and hipless. Oh, no offense, Ms. O’Keily.”
Mara’s smiled went colder, sharper. “Oh, none taken.” She glanced around. “So, I heard your designer Lush is supposed to be here tonight. Has she made her appearance yet?”
“She has,” Lacey said. “She’s been around most of the night.”
Rocki wanted to kick Lacey. Damn it. Mara’s gaze zeroed in on Lacey and she arched a blonde brow. “Oh? Perhaps you can introduce me?”
“Hmmm. I could, but Lush is going to be on the stage in a few minutes,” Lacey said, making a face of mock disappointment. “You’ll