dogs

Morgan's pov:

"Babe, you certainly took your time getting here." I said, flashing the man a brilliant smile. With my eyes I pleaded for him to understand the situation.

"Babe?" Dante asked behind me. I didn't dare glace at him. I didn't date take my eyes off this handsome stranger in front of me with the champagne spill on his shirt. I didn't dare break eye contact.

Nova scoffed. I ignored her.

Blue eyes stared into mine, an unreadable look in them. His eyes moved down to my hand placed daintily on his chest, and back to my face.

Please. Please play along.

"I'm so sorry my love," The man said, bending down to my cheek. "I had a little emergency at home, I didn't intend to come late." He raised his head back up, a smile on his face bright enough to light up a small town.

"Did the dogs act up again?" I asked, shaking my head with a chuckle. Outside I look calm, but inside I'm screaming with joy. Relief washes over my like a tidal wave.

He caught the hint!

"What can I say? Molly missed her mama. " He said. He looked down at his shirt. "This should be easy to come off."

"It's fine," I said, lowering my hand from his chest. "We can surely take care of it later."

"Wait," Nova said. She grabbed my arm and turned me to face her. "You're dating someone else?!"

I calmly plucked her hand off my arm. "Yes. And?"

Her eyes flashed with indignation. "That easy huh? " She scoffed. "After all the talks about your love being the best ever, and it's that easy for you to move on huh?!"

I turned to fully face her. "Nova, what is your problem?" I asked with a chuckle. "Should we unpack this here, right now, in front of all these people?"

"That's enough." Dante said, stepping up to Nova. He put an arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. His eyes met mine. "Let's go now."

"I'm not finished yet." Nova said, a dark smirk on her face. "But whatever. Have fun with your new man bestie. And hold him tight."

"I could say same for you." I replied with a smile. "Have fun you two."

"We sure will." Nova flashed me a knowing smile. "In more ways than one."

I rolled my eyes in disgust.

They both walked away, Dante's arm possessively around her waist like he's trying to send me message. What fucking message? That's he's moved on? Whatever is Nova's problem?!

She finally had the man of her dreams, fine. And now she's angry that I have mine? Even if he's not really mine but....damn!

Seriously, what's wrong with her??

"Are you okay?" The man asked.

I turned to him, an apologetic smile on my face. "I'm so sorry you had to see that. "

"Using me to get back at your ex boyfriend?" He asked.

For a moment I felt offended. Then I saw the playful smile on his face. I laughed instead. He's actually wrong, Dante is my ex husband, not my ex boyfriend. But he doesn't need to know that. "Something like that." I agreed, twining my hands together. "I ruined your shirt, please let me take care of the drycleaning."

"It's fine." He waved dismissively. "I'll take care of it myself."

Over his shoulder I caught sight of Nova and Dante, having drinks and talking with some people. Nova looked right at me, hooking her arm with Dante and smiling at me.

"They're still looking, right?"

"Yes."

"If you want, we could keep this up for the rest of the evening."

I shook my head. "It's fine. I've had enough of the party."

I'm suddenly exhausted. As if meeting Dante had sapped me of all my energy. I wanted to go home and rest.

"Have a wonderful evening." I said and turns to leave.

"Here," He called out, making me pause and turn to him. He held a card in front of me, his card I presume. "In case you need my services again." He said with that easy going smile.

"Thank you." I said and collected the card from him. "Be sure to take care of Molly for me."

He laughed. "Sure, I will."

I turned and walked out of the party venue. once outside, the cold air hit me hard making me shiver and wish I had brought a coat with me. I took my keys out of my purse and walked up to my car.

Well, that party had gone to hell.

I got to my car and unlocked the door. I looked down at the card in my hand and felt disgust rise in my stomach. Men huh? You smile at them and they think that's an invitation to your bed. I crumpled up the cars without giving it a second thought, tossing it to the ground. I opened my car and got inside, slamming the door shut behind me.

Once I was alone, the anger started to bubble inside me. How dare they?! Dante and Nova alike! They just show up like that and not only mock me, they insult me?! and Nova is wearing my gown and my jewelry?! And Dante just let her have it?!

"Can you imagine!" I groaned to the empty car space, hitting the stirring wheel so hard I set off the horn.

What was I doing in an event for the elite?! That's what Nova asked me?! Did she even know why the event was being held in the first place?!

It's fine. It's okay. I consoled myself. It's fine if she didn't know. It's fine if they don't know. Dante included.

My phone started to ring. I didn't need to look at it to know it was my dad calling. I picked up the phone, putting the call on speaker.

"I saw Dante." My dad said. "Are you okay?"

"Yes daddy." I said, my lower lip starting to tremble. "I'm fine."

I lied.