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.

the elevator doors opened, Briony stepped in first, James following

ballroom, the

after him, grabbing his

with you? Barrie's still here.

the closed elevator, his whole

"She's with James now..."

hissed, keeping her voice low. "Mr. Delaney's been at her side for

seemed to fold in on himself, shoulders slumping as if crushed by

pitiful, the way despair seemed to drain

her eyes at

kidding. They booked two separate rooms

look sharp enough

just rolled

planning to haunt Briony

together, silent. His lack

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

know I don't deserve her,"

said, voice hoarse, eyes

her with

can't control myself." But

and

back here, I'm

a slow, steadying breath