Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Once they stepped out of the ballroom, James immediately let go of her hand.

He tugged off his bow tie with a dramatic sigh.

"God, I'll never get used to dressing up like this. That bow tie was strangling me, you know?"

Briony looked at him with a fond smile, the way one might look at a younger brother.

"You reacted pretty quickly back there."

She'd only claimed James was her boyfriend on a whim, mostly because Barrie's gaze had become far too predatory for comfort.

"That Barrie guy is trouble, you could tell right away!" James scoffed, "I noticed the way he was looking at you even when you were giving your speech! Guy's a total creep. What, does he think those glasses hide what he really is? Please."

He added, almost spitting the words, "Honestly, the whole Lockwood family gives me the creeps."

Briony nodded in agreement.

"I was just surprised he knows Joe," she said, her expression turning serious. "I need to find some time to ask Joe how they met."

"Definitely," James said. "And you should warn him—not to get involved with Barrie, business or otherwise."

Briony nodded again.

They walked toward the elevators together.

It was late, and they'd already booked rooms upstairs; they planned to stay the night and head back to Northborough in the morning.

Briony stepped

left the ballroom, the elevator doors had

after him, grabbing his

is wrong with you? Barrie's still here. Get a

closed elevator,

"She's with James now..."

Delaney's been at her side for over

shoulders slumping as if crushed by the weight of

the way despair seemed to drain the life out of

eyes at

was kidding. They booked

look sharp enough

rolled her

not planning to haunt Briony from beyond the grave, are

lips together, silent. His lack of response said

her head. "You're worse than a ghost that just

know I don't

said, voice hoarse, eyes

with another man

can't control myself." But

and

here, I'm not here to watch

drew a slow, steadying