Chapter 458 - A Little Too Much Champagne

Chapter 458: Chapter 458 - A Little Too Much Champagne

The reception was even more extravagant than the ceremony.

Dinner was served on the terrace overlooking the lake, with candles decorating the tables and musicians playing softly in the background. By the time the speeches were finished, the sun had disappeared behind the mountains, and the entire garden was illuminated by hundreds of small lights.

Roxie had to admit that Kendall had excellent taste. And apparently, an unlimited wedding budget.

She was on her second glass of champagne when Karen brought up the subject of marriage.

"Well, I suppose we should start thinking about finding husbands too."

Roxie turned toward her. "Excuse me?"

"What? We’re twenty-eight. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to settle down eventually."

Angela looked genuinely offended. "Excuse you. I’m an independent, successful woman. I can buy my own house, pay my own bills, and take myself anywhere I want. What exactly do I need a husband for?"

Roxie burst out laughing, already knowing where this conversation was going.

"I’m serious!" Angela continued. "I have money, a career, and a perfectly comfortable life. Why would I invite some man into my house and let him start telling me where to put my furniture?"

Karen laughed. "You could marry someone who lets you choose the furniture."

"Then what’s he contributing?"

"Angela!" Karen exclaimed, laughing harder.

"What? I’m asking a reasonable question."

Roxie shook her head. "You’d probably make your husband sign an agreement before moving in."

"Absolutely. And he’d have to keep his hands off my art supplies."

"Your art supplies?" Karen repeated.

"Those are expensive!"

Roxie laughed again, but when Karen turned toward her, she immediately became suspicious.

"What?"

"And you? Would you ever get married?"

"Maybe. If I meet someone worth marrying."

Angela leaned forward with a knowing smile. "See? That’s the problem. You actually have to go on dates to meet someone."

"Oh, for fuck’s sake. We’re back to this?"

"You agreed to go out with Sean," Karen reminded her. "That’s a start."

"Yes, and I intend to go. Can we please enjoy the wedding without discussing my love life?"

Angela smiled. "I’m just saying, I’d love to attend your wedding someday."

"You’d probably complain about everything."

"Obviously. I’d be doing you a favor."

Roxie shook her head as Karen laughed, then turned her attention toward the dance floor. Kendall and Kyle were dancing with some of their guests, laughing whenever someone approached to congratulate them. They looked ridiculously happy together, and Roxie wondered whether she’d ever find herself in Kendall’s position.

She’d imagined it once, back when she’d been young enough to believe she already knew who she was going to marry. She’d pictured the dress, the wedding, and the life that would come afterward, all with Zac standing beside her.

Well, that had certainly worked out wonderfully.

She took another sip of champagne and pushed the thought away. She was happy with her life, and if marriage eventually happened, she’d deal with it then. For now, she had a career to worry about and a date with Sean waiting for her in New York.

"Come on," Angela announced, getting to her feet. "We’ve spent enough time talking about men. I want to dance."

By ten o’clock, Roxie was having a wonderful time.

The music had become considerably louder, the dance floor was packed, and Angela had somehow persuaded Karen to dance despite her repeated complaints about her shoes. Roxie laughed as Karen attempted to follow Angela’s ridiculous movements, looking increasingly offended every time Angela told her she was doing it wrong.

Mason eventually joined them and offered Karen his hand. Karen hesitated before accepting, which immediately caught Roxie’s attention. She glanced at Angela, who was already grinning at the two of them.

Oh, they were definitely going to discuss that later.

Roxie had danced with Sean earlier in the evening as well. He was surprisingly entertaining, and when he’d mentioned their coffee date in New York, she’d assured him she hadn’t forgotten. Perhaps giving him a chance wouldn’t be such a terrible idea after all.

She’d even managed to avoid Zac for most of the reception. Whenever she happened to see him, he was either talking to other guests or standing with Olivia. They seemed perfectly comfortable together, and Roxie was beginning to think he was deliberately keeping his distance.

Which suited her perfectly. She had absolutely no desire to repeat their argument from the previous night, especially when Kendall had gone to so much trouble to make her wedding beautiful.

After another round of dancing, Angela returned with two glasses of champagne and handed one to Roxie.

"Here."

Roxie accepted it, then frowned at the glass. "How many have I had?"

"Who cares? We’re at a wedding!"

"That’s a terrible answer."

Angela laughed and disappeared toward the dance floor again, leaving Roxie staring at her champagne. She probably should’ve switched to water an hour ago, but she’d been enjoying herself and hadn’t really been keeping track. Her cheeks were warm, her feet were beginning to hurt, and everything seemed a little funnier than usual.

Karen eventually returned to their table looking slightly flushed, and Roxie immediately grinned at her.

"So, Mason?"

"Don’t start," Karen warned as she reached for her cranberry juice.

"I haven’t said anything! You two looked awfully comfortable together."

"We were dancing, Roxie."

"Of course. Very professionally. I think you’re establishing those connections really well."

Karen rolled her eyes, although Roxie caught the small smile she tried to hide behind her glass.

By the time another song ended, Roxie decided she needed some fresh air. She’d been dancing for hours, and the champagne was beginning to make her head feel pleasantly light.

"I’m going for a walk," she told Karen, setting her empty glass on the table.

"Want me to come?"

"No, I’m fine. My feet are killing me, and I need somewhere quieter."

Karen gave her a careful look. "Maybe drink some water while you’re at it."

"Yes, Grandma."

"Roxie, I’m serious."

"And I’m going to get some. Relax!"

She laughed and slipped away before Karen could lecture her any further.

The reception was still going strong when Roxie stepped outside. Several guests were standing near the terrace entrance, talking over their drinks, while others had wandered into the gardens. She followed the pathway along the side of the hotel, enjoying the cooler air against her warm cheeks.

God, she’d had a lot of champagne. She was beginning to regret the last glass, although at least she could still walk perfectly well. She slowed near the stone railing and looked out over the lake, where the lights from the surrounding villas reflected on the dark water.

Kendall was probably having the time of her life. Roxie smiled to herself, remembering how happy she’d looked during the ceremony. The woman would probably spend the next several months reminding everyone that she’d had the most beautiful wedding in history.

She was considering heading back inside when she heard someone’s voice.

"...already on the internet. My agent called me twice."

Roxie slowed and glanced toward a small seating area around the corner. Tall plants separated it from the pathway, and although she couldn’t see anyone clearly, she recognized Zac’s voice when he answered.

"Then everything’s going according to plan."

Roxie frowned. What plan?

Roxie hesitated. This was the second time she’d accidentally overheard Zac talking about something personal. At this rate, she was going to develop a reputation for eavesdropping.

Then again, they were having a conversation in a public garden. Surely she was allowed to stand wherever she wanted.

She almost laughed at her own reasoning. God, she really needed to stop drinking. Roxie was about to continue walking when Olivia spoke again.

"I didn’t expect them to pick up on it this quickly," Olivia continued. "Apparently, people are already calling us a couple."

Zac said something Roxie couldn’t quite hear, and Olivia laughed.

"Well, you’re the one who agreed to this."

Roxie stopped beside the railing. She probably should’ve continued walking, considering their conversation was clearly private, but she’d already heard enough to become curious.

Agreed to what?

"...only a few more weeks," Olivia was saying. "Then we can stop pretending."

Roxie blinked.

Pretending?

Zac answered in a lower voice, and Roxie caught only the end of his sentence.

"...as long as we both know what this is."

"Of course I know. Besides, it’s working, isn’t it?"

There was a pause, followed by another response from Zac that was drowned out by the music coming from the reception.

Roxie stared at the plants separating them, trying to make sense of what she’d just heard. Olivia had mentioned pictures on the internet, people calling them a couple, and some kind of agreement that apparently involved pretending.

Pretending to be what, exactly?

She leaned slightly toward the corner, hoping to catch the rest, but Olivia was already changing the subject.

"Anyway, I’m exhausted. I’m going up to our room."

"Alright."

"Are you coming?"

"In a while."

"Okay. I’ll see you upstairs."

Roxie heard footsteps approaching and immediately moved farther along the pathway. She stopped beside a large flower arrangement, pretending to admire it as Olivia emerged from the seating area and headed toward the hotel.

Fortunately, Olivia was busy looking at her phone and passed without noticing her.

Roxie waited until she’d disappeared inside before looking back toward the corner.

What the actual fuck had she just heard?

She tried to remember the conversation, but the champagne wasn’t helping. There had been something about pictures circulating online, their relationship, an agreement, and pretending for a few more weeks.

Wait a fucking minute.

Were Olivia and Zac pretending to be together?

Roxie stared toward the seating area, thoroughly confused. Why the hell would Zac Prescott need a fake girlfriend? He was a famous quarterback, ridiculously wealthy, and had women practically throwing themselves at him. Olivia was gorgeous too, so it made even less sense.

Unless there was something he was trying to hide.

Roxie frowned, turning the possibility over in her head. What could possibly require a man like Zac to pretend he was dating someone?

Then she remembered Dylan.

Her eyes widened.

Oh, fuck.

Was Zac actually gay?

She stood there for several seconds before covering her mouth, trying to suppress a laugh.

No. That was ridiculous. She’d spent years with the man and knew perfectly well how interested he’d been in her. She had plenty of memories to prove it, several of which she’d been unfortunate enough to revisit during their stupid drinking game.

But that was ten years ago.

People could change, couldn’t they?

Roxie looked toward the seating area again, her increasingly ridiculous thoughts becoming harder to dismiss. He was pretending to date Olivia, he was still close to Dylan, and he’d become absolutely furious every time she’d mentioned the possibility of something happening between them.

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

She really needed water.

This was probably the stupidest conclusion she’d ever reached, and even in her current state she knew she was making an enormous assumption from a conversation she’d barely heard.

Still, the possibility was rather entertaining.

She remembered how Zac had reacted to her question during their drinking game, and an inappropriate smile spread across her face.

Oh, she was definitely going to hell.

"Enjoying yourself?"

Roxie turned toward the voice and found Zac standing a few feet away, watching her with a frown.

Apparently, he’d come around the corner while she’d been entertaining the most ridiculous theory of her entire life.

She looked at him, remembering what she’d overheard, and felt another laugh threatening to escape.

Well, wasn’t this interesting?