Lethal Wedding (Wedlocked Trilogy Book 2) - Charlotte Byrd Page 0,29

just Chelsea and Franklin catching up while Aurora and I stand around waiting for something to say without actually doing it.

I'm not sure what exactly Chelsea does, but judging from her gown and the way that she handles herself, I can tell that she has been a very wealthy woman for a long time.

When the conversation shifts to the stock market, which it inevitably does, she mentions that she had followed his advice and became an angel investor in a number of up-and-coming tech companies.

Franklin laughs and says that he's glad that his suggestions have paid off.

“Well, you know, I've never been involved with anything like that and I'm glad that you showed me the ropes.”

“And now you're an expert, from what I hear.”

“No, of course not. Not like you.”

“Ha.” He laughs. “That's not what Jimmy tells me.”

“Who is Jimmy?” Aurora asks.

“He runs the entire angel investor fund that we are both heavily invested in,” Franklin explains. “You see, I had to drag this girl, kicking and screaming, to make an investment and I step away from that business for a little bit and come back to discover that she is actually the one who is making the most money.”

Chelsea laughs and tosses her hair, waving her finger in his face.

“Jimmy tells me that you've gotten quite involved, picking companies, suggesting companies—”

“Oh, come on,” she says. “There's only so much shopping that I can stomach.”

I don't really care about listening to any of this.

They are just two people who have more money than they know what to do with, trying to figure out how to get more. Yet, there's something that draws me in.

Aurora is part of this world.

I never had any interest in anything but having a comfortable life, and then I met her.

Suddenly, I realize just how complicated being rich can really be.

When Franklin and Chelsea get closer and start talking more intimately, I see my chance to pull Aurora away.

“Congratulations,” I say, offering to order her another drink.

She shakes her head. “No, thank you.”

"Are you having a good time?” I ask.

“Yes, of course, what would make you think that I'm not?" she asks defensively.

“I wasn't trying to imply that,” I say, leaning on the bar and squaring myself off with her. “If there’s something that you want to tell me, anything at all, I want you to know that you always can.”

“I don't know what you're talking about,” she says after a long pause, even though we both know that she does.

"Hey, listen, we're missing the whole party,” Franklin says, dropping his arm around my shoulder. “Why don't we go back inside and take our girls out on the dance floor?”

19

Aurora

I watch them from afar and I can't help but feel jealous.

Why did Franklin have to introduce him to her, of all people!

Chelsea is tall, beautiful, flirtatious, smart, and wealthy. She has made her money in real estate and investing. But she was one of the earliest investors in Snapchat and Uber and she made out with multiple millions. Now, she even has a makeup line that is doing so well that it has landed her on the cover of Forbes.

I'm not sure if Henry knows any of this, but he is certain to find out as soon as he Googles her.

Franklin holds me in his arms and grinds against me as the lights dim and the music gets louder and all I can focus on is Henry and Chelsea and the way that his hands make their way down her body.

It occurs to me that I have never danced with Henry before and I never knew that he was such a good dancer.

But then again, he is amazing in bed so why wouldn’t he be amazing on the dance floor?

When I can't stand watching them anymore, I try to pull away from Franklin, who stops me in my tracks.

“No," he says. "Let's dance some more.”

"No, I don't want to,” I say.

I try to walk away, but he grabs my wrist.

He clenches his jaw and tightens his grip around my wrist, pulling me closer.

“I told you that I want to keep dancing,” he says.

I've never seen this side of him before. I shake my head but when a new song starts, I do as he says.

“Good," he whispers into my ear. “You look good out here.”

He runs his hands up and down my body and I hate the way that it feels.

The first time that he kissed me was right there, right in front of Henry. He