Charity Case - The Complete Series - Piper Rayne Page 0,279

argue your case to over and over again. I hope you find her.”

I step back, my hand falling from his vest.

As I walk away this time he doesn’t follow me and I’m glad because I don’t think I would have the strength to keep walking away if he tried to stop me. But it’s what’s best for him.

When I open the door to step outside, he calls out behind me, “You still owe me one favor, Firecracker, and I will cash it in.”

Chapter Thirty-One

It’s been an entire week and no word from Roarke, which I keep telling myself is a good thing. I’ve spent my time preparing for the gala to keep my mind far away from my broken heart and how I singlehandedly ruined everything.

“So, everything is going as planned.” Chelsea comes into my office looking like her old self. No one can tell she’s pregnant, she’s yet to get that baby bump, or if she has it, she’s hiding it well. Gone is the sweets addiction and crying jags which confirm that when one of us is down the other two rise up to take the reins. I’d hoped I would be more of a help in these final stages of planning, but without her and Victoria, the gala would have been a write-off.

She sets a manila folder on my desk.

“What’s this?” I ask.

“It’s everything we need tomorrow, just in case. You have copies and I have copies. All the contacts for everyone involved. Jett, the bakery, the florist. There’s a list of the times everyone is set to speak.” She sits down in front of me. “Everything except for one thing. A certain silver fox didn’t retract his invitation.” She raises her eyebrows my way and my gut churns.

“Do you really think he’d come and make a scene?” I ask a stupid question because this is Roarke Baldwin. Of course he would.

“Yeah, I do. That’s why I hired two bodyguards to stand guard at the entrance. I’ve given them Roarke’s photograph so they’re to stop him from entering.”

My jaw hangs. “You didn’t?”

“No, but if you want me to, I will. I have connections.” She waggles her eyebrows and I have no doubt that she does. “But from the look of fear in your eyes, my guess is you wouldn’t mind an embarrassing act by him?”

She knows me so well after the short time that we’ve been friends.

“I miss him. Lucy misses Nickel. Do you think it will go away? Like one day I’ll wake up and feel like he was never a part of my life? How can I become so invested in someone after only months?”

Chelsea laughs. “You’re talking to the wrong girl. Are you sure you made the right decision ending things?”

“Yeah, it’s the right decision. One day he’ll see I’m right.”

Her concern means a lot because when I told Chelsea and Victoria that I walked away after they thought I was crazy. They didn’t say it out loud, but I can see it in their eyes and body language.

But I was right to leave him free to find someone who could give him what he deserves. He was right—I could have asked. He’d never lied to me. He apologized for not telling me that morning but he had a good reason to why he didn’t. I never thought the saying ‘if you love something enough set it free’ was true. But it is. Because I love Roarke too much to put him through my tests every time he says he has to work late.

I need to sort myself out. Apparently, I don’t have it as together as I thought after my divorce.

Chelsea rises from her chair, the same expression on her face from a week ago when I told her and Victoria what I did at Torrio’s. “Whatever you say. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

“Thanks for everything, Chelsea.”

She stops at the door, a smile on her face. “Always, Han. That’s what friends are for.”

The next night I’m getting ready for the gala when Gwen walks into my bathroom.

“You look stunning, Montana,” she says.

Whereas I’m dressed in a long elegant gown, she’s in a short sequin dress with a large tulle skirt with fishnet stockings. As if the dress itself isn’t going to give my mom a coronary, she has a cut off white t-shirt with big black letters that read Girl Power.

“Shocking as usual.” I smile at her in the mirror.

“I refuse to conform. Olive should love it don’t you think?”

“I think the girls