Chapter 4

Chloe looked up at Austin. The words from the other end had clearly pleased him—his mouth was turned up, his whole face delighted, without a shred of suspicion.

Chloe lowered her head and went back to her meal.

Austin laughed. "We've always had a great thing going. You know that better than anyone."

Scott was visibly grossed out by the sweetness. "Yeah, yeah, we get it—your wife worships you. Showing off in front of a bachelor like me every day. Aren't you afraid I'll die of envy?"

Chloe heard that loud and clear and rolled her eyes without changing her expression.

A bachelor? He had some nerve.

The man left his affections everywhere and never took responsibility for a single one, and now he was playing the innocent.

Austin actually spared Scott and didn't fire back—he even laughed. "Jealous? Then hurry up and find someone to settle down with."

Scott said, "All right, I'll leave you two lovebirds alone."

"Wait," Austin stopped him, confirming, "tomorrow night still works, right? Don't forget—The River Club."

Hanging up, Austin turned to Chloe. "Sweetheart, have you picked your outfit for tomorrow night? Want me to help you look?"

Since the wedding, Austin had always been thoughtful this way, helping her pick outfits before big occasions.

"Not yet," Chloe answered gently, as always. "Work's been exhausting lately. I don't want to think about it—you decide for me."

Austin said, "Then wear that burgundy velvet gown I gave you last time."

"Okay."

Chloe showered, blow-dried her hair, and came out of the bathroom to find Austin—already washed up in the guest bathroom—sitting on the edge of the bed.

She climbed in from the other side, and the moment she lay down, Austin wrapped around her from behind, bending to kiss the side of her neck.

"God, you smell good, sweetheart."

"I'm tired." Of course Chloe heard what he was implying, but she really wasn't in the mood. Worse, she still carried the marks Scott had left on her—he'd had no restraint last night, and there were even faint teeth marks on her thighs.

"You don't miss me?" Austin put on a wounded look.

Chloe raised a hand to his cheek and leaned in to kiss him. "Of course I do. But I'm really sleepy."

"Honey, let me get one good night's sleep," Chloe said, the cajoling coming easily. "You don't want me showing up at your birthday party with dark circles, do you?"

"Fine." Austin gave in and tousled her hair helplessly. "Good night, sweetheart."

The following evening.

Chloe, in a burgundy gown with an exquisite evening clutch, walked into the club at Austin's side.

Austin went off to confirm the drinks with the manager while Chloe waited alone in the private room.

A few minutes later, the door swung open.

First through the door was Bobby Griffin, one of Austin's close friends and an investor in his latest project.

"Mr. Griffin." Chloe smiled and greeted him politely.

Bobby was all courtesy. "Where's Austin?"

"Austin went to find the manager. He'll be right back. Please, everyone, have a seat." Chloe gestured them in.

Her gaze went past Bobby to Terry Webb, who'd come in behind him.

And right beside Terry was Scott.

With perfect, terrible timing, Chloe looked up just as Scott's gaze collided with hers.

Scott watched her with something between a smile and not, appraising, maybe a little entertained.

Chloe had no time to dissect it; she pulled herself together fast. She'd been prepared for this. She wouldn't slip.

"Gentlemen, this way, please."

She led the three of them to the sofa area, then bent and poured the whiskey herself.

"You're too kind—let the waiter handle it," Terry said.

"It's no trouble at all. It's only right." Chloe kept her impeccable smile in place.

She handed glasses to Terry and Bobby first. The last one was for Scott.

Scott's face gave nothing away, the very picture of a stranger to her. Chloe wasn't surprised. He obviously didn't want anyone knowing about the other night either.

Mid-thought, as she passed him the glass, Chloe felt his fingertips graze hers, there and gone.

By the time she caught herself, Scott had taken the glass, perfectly composed, not even looking at her.

"Austin!"

Hearing Bobby call Austin's name, Chloe turned at once.

She crossed quickly to Austin's side and slipped naturally into the crook of his arm.

Terry marveled, "All these years and you two are still like you're in the honeymoon phase."

Austin glanced at Chloe and smiled. "I owe it all to my wife."

"Ha."

The words were barely out of Austin's mouth when a distinct scoff rang out.

From Scott.

For a beat, everyone turned to look at him.

Austin asked, "What are you laughing at?"

Scott set his phone down without hurry. "Texting my sister. She told me something funny."

The group chatted for a bit about Scott's sister, and Chloe wisely stayed out of it.

The topic passed quickly. Bobby checked his watch. "That everyone, then? Let's get started. I've got a conference call at eight thirty."

"Give it a few more minutes," Austin said. "One more guest."

Terry asked, "Who else is coming?"

Austin didn't answer. He turned to Scott with a mysterious little smile.

The next second, the door to the private room swung open again.

Everyone in the room turned to look as one.

In walked a woman, about five foot nine, in a black off-the-shoulder gown.

Her makeup was flawless, her beauty aggressive, her figure stunning.

Chloe didn't know her.

She leaned into Austin and asked in a low voice, "Who's this?"

"Getting a face-to-face with you is hard work these days, Scott."

Before Austin could answer, the woman had already marched straight up to Scott.

Wait.

Chloe's heart skipped. That voice... why did it sound familiar?

"Everyone says you're single now. Then who was the woman who answered your phone the night before last?"

Chloe shut her eyes. The very thing she'd dreaded had come to pass.

"You're keeping tabs on your ex-boyfriend's private life now?" Scott answered with a question, his casual tone edged with displeasure.

Two exchanges in, and Chloe understood exactly what they were to each other.

When Scott had handed her that phone the other night, she'd assumed it was just some ordinary admirer.

She never expected an ex-girlfriend—and one who was clearly on close terms with Scott's whole circle.

Chloe had recognized the woman's voice from those few words. Would the woman recognize hers?

"All right, do me a favor," Austin stepped in to smooth things over. "Lydia hasn't been back in years. It's not often we all get together."

With Austin's mediating, the tension eased somewhat.

Lydia walked up to the couple and held out two gift bags.

"One for you, one for your wife." Lydia beamed at Chloe. "I missed your wedding, and I've been tied up abroad all these years. Finally, we meet."

She extended a hand. "Lydia Morris. I went to college with Austin."

Chloe shook it. "Hi, I'm Chloe Watson. Austin's wife."

The smile on Lydia's face froze the instant she heard Chloe's voice.

Watching Lydia's expression shift, Chloe's heart dropped.

She'd recognized the voice, all right.