The Dinner

-KENZIE-

"This is too slutty." I scrunched my nose up as I eyed myself in the mirror.

Milly looked up from Toby who was sitting on her lap, "It's sexy, not slutty. Wear it."

I turned to face her, "Milly, this is Selma's dinner—my ex's fiance. She knows he still has feelings for me, I don't want her to think I'm trying to dress up to impress him."

She raised a brow and pouted her lips, "You're worried about that? I thought you were trying to make Wyatt realize what he's missing?"

My heart dropped and my throat closed up at her words. I hadn't told her about Wyatt. Paul was the only one who knew about Wyatt.

"How did you-?

"I've been your friend for years, do you really think I've never noticed? You used to get all weird whenever his name was mentioned anywhere. And I've seen the way you act since working for him. I know I look it, but I'm not stupid, Kenz."

I sighed and sat on the edge of my bed, "I'm sorry I never told you. I didn't want anyone to find out."

She shrugged, "No biggie. But I would love to know what started all of this."

"Well, years ago Caleb cheated on me. And I slept with Wyatt."

"That'll do it. And then you fell in love with him?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. I know this is going to sound terrible, but I think I developed feelings for him before that night, but I knew it was wrong so I was too scared to admit it to myself."

"And now? I don't get it, if you're into him, go and be with him. Screw what the people think about it. It's your life and your happiness."

"I know that. And that's exactly the problem. He isn't the one-woman type of man, Milly. He's Wyatt Grimes, the playboy. I'm not going to set myself up for another Grimes heartache."

"It looks like you're already doing that by refusing to admit how you feel."

I got to my feet, going back to the mirror, "I think I should go with the black dress instead." I eyed the red dress that hugged my curves. It fell down to my knees with a ruffled neckline.

"I like this one."

I stared at my reflection for another moment before deciding I would keep the red dress on, "Okay, I hope this isn't going to be a mistake. I'll text you?"

She nodded, "You better."

I stepped out of the cab, smiling at the butler as I made my way into the large house.

There were a lot of people here, I was expecting it to be a much smaller affair and was beginning to think this was a bad idea.

"Kenzie! I'm so happy you could make it." Selma pulled me into a hug.

"Hi, Selma. You look lovely."

"Thank you. Did you bring a plus-one?"

I could feel the heat creep into my cheeks, "Oh, I didn't realize that it was a big event, so I came alone."

"No worries, I'll seat you accordingly." She smiled and sauntered off, leaving me feeling uncomfortable.

I made a beeline for the waiter and swiped a glass of champagne from his tray.

"Kenzie, is that you?"

I turned to see Wyatt's father, he was the one Grimes who always frightened me. He always looked so serious, and somewhat grumpy.

"Mr. Grimes, it's nice to see you again."

He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes, "Selma invited you?"

"Yes."

He nodded, "She's a nice woman."

"She is." I wasn't sure where this conversation was going, but I could tell by his tone that I wouldn't like it.

"Kenzie, I know that you and Caleb ended on bad terms. What he did was wrong. But I would ask that you do not put Selma through the same pain that you went through simply to prove that you still have the younger Grimes wrapped around your finger."

I raised my brows, both hurt and angered by his words, "Mr. Grimes, you have the wrong impression. I have no interest in Caleb."

"I'm thrilled to hear that. Come and see me in the study after dinner." He smiled a cold smile before walking away.

"These Grimes men are going to drive me insane." I hissed under my breath before downing my drink.

I turned and groaned loudly when I saw Wyatt.

"I have literally just walked in and I've already had your father assuming I'm some scorned mistress. And now you're here too? Can you lot at least give me five minutes before attacking me?"

Wyatt frowned, "My father assumed what?"

I sighed, "Never mind. What do you want now?"

"What did my father say, Kenzie?"

"He thought that I was having an affair with Caleb. Or that I was planning on having an affair with him. He asked me not to put Selma threw the same pain that I went through."

His eye twitched at my words, "I'll deal with him."

"Please don't. He's never liked me anyway, I'm the poor orphan girl who will never be good enough for his bloodline."

Wyatt's eyes bore into mine as he stood silently looking at me, there was a hint of danger beneath them tonight.

I squirmed under his gaze, "I should go, uh, mingle or something."

He scoffed, "Oh please, we both know that Kenzie Middleton does not mingle."

"Well, now is as good a time as any to start."

"Baby, there you are."

I narrowed my eyes at the woman who came up beside him. I hated the fact that I immediately compared myself to her.

What I hated even more was that I knew I never could. She looked like a model.

She turned to me, "And you are?"

"Kenzie Middleton," Wyatt answered for me.

"I'm Abigail. I'm sure you know that with all the runways I've been gracing lately."

Great. She really was a model.

I shrugged, "I don't really keep up with fashion. Anyways, it was nice to meet you." I turned, attempting to scurry off.

"Kenzie, wait."

I turned back to Wyatt, "What is it? It's after work hours."

"We need to talk."

"We really don't."

Abigail frowned, looking between us curiously.

"It's important."

"I'll see you at work, Wyatt."

He grabbed me by the arm and pulled me aside, moving us away from Abigail.

"Would you stop? It's your mother. The doctors called me and they will be bringing her out of the coma next week."

"Oh," I immediately softened, "Thank you."

He sighed, "Kenzie, I'm sorry I hurt you. Please, stop being this way toward me, I can't bear having you so cold. I miss-"

"Wyatt." His father's voice boomed and I stepped away from him, the last thing I needed was for him to realize I had feelings for his son.

He turned toward his father with a scowl on his face, "What is it? Have you come to insult Kenzie again?"

Shit. I could hear the edge in his voice.

"Wyatt, it's fine."

"No, it's not. Father? How could you insinuate that Kenzie was trying to steal Caleb from Selma? Do you think so little of the woman Caleb once planned to marry?"

The senior Grimes narrowed his eyes at his son, "I see you have been hitting the bottles early tonight," he chuckled, "Relax, son. I meant no harm in my chat with her."

Let it go, I silently prayed.

"I'm sure. Now, what did you want?"

Wyatt's father looked between us with a glint in his eye, and I was sure he had somehow figured out that there was something going on between us.

I shrank back.

"I will speak to you later." He turned to give me another cold stare before walking away.

"That was stupid. You shouldn't act so protective." I hissed softly.

"Why not, Kenzie? It's no secret that I've always cared for you. In case you've forgotten, you are the only one who wanted it to be a secret."

"I'm not having this conversation. Not here, and not now." I walked away, forcing myself not to look back.

Only a few moments in, and I already wanted to be back home. I knew coming to the dinner had been a mistake.

I sat beside Wyatt at the long dinner table. I knew it was a coincidence, but I couldn't help but wonder if Selma had somehow done this on purpose.

I sipped on my drink - I wasn't sure what number I was, all I knew was that my head was starting to feel a little woozy.

I was remaining silent while others spoke, the alcohol had me feeling on edge sitting next to Wyatt.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my thigh and I jumped in surprise. I almost turned to ask him what the hell he was doing, but I quickly caught myself, reminded by the fact that there were so many people around us.

Instead, I nervously shot him a look.

He was deep in conversation with a man opposite him as if his hand wasn't slowly hiking its way further and further up my dress.

When his hand got to its destination, I jumped to my feet, "Excuse me." I hurried away from the table, almost tripping a few times as I made my way out into the backyard.

I let out a shaky breath, my hand on my chest.

"Are you okay?"

I turned to see Caleb.

"I'm fine. I just needed some air."

He nodded, "You never did like these things."

I waved a hand in the air, "Obviously. I don't belong here. I'm never going to belong in places like this, with people like these."

"That's a load of crap, Kenz. So you didn't grow up rich, who the hell cares?"

I laughed, "I do. I always feel so out of place."

He smiled, stepping closer and tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear, "I know. But you shouldn't."

I stared into his eyes, realizing that he was a little too close, but my back was against the patio railing, I had nowhere to go.

"Caleb, do you mind giving me some space?"

"What if I don't want to?"

"I'm serious. Your wife-to-be is right in there," I motioned to the house, "As it is, your grandfather thinks that I'm trying to steal you away from her."

Caleb laughed loudly, "Really? Crazy old bat, if only he knew."

"I'm serious, take a step back."

"Kiss me."

I frowned, "What? No." Even intoxicated, I was appalled by his behavior.

"Come on, kiss me and tell me you feel nothing for me. Then I'll leave you alone."

" I don't need to kiss you to know that I don't feel anything for you. Now move." I was beginning to feel like prey trapped by a predator, my heart spread up in panic.

He moved in a flash, caging me in with his arms, his mouth was on mine. I struggled against him, but he forced his tongue into my mouth, one of his hands roughly groping me.

I pushed at him, but it was no use, he was stronger than me.

"No!" I shouted when he pulled away slightly.

"You feel so good." He leaned in again, his hands roughly running over my body.

"What the fuck are you doing?!" Wyatt pulled Caleb away from me, "She said no!"

I was still slightly dazed, I was still trying to process what had just happened when suddenly Wyatt pulled back his arm, swinging a fist into Caleb's face.

"Wyatt!" I shouted in a panic as Caleb landed on the ground, his head hitting against the cement.

"Sir?" One of the employees came to the door.

"Keep the guests inside." Wyatt turned to me, "Are you okay?"

I nodded, my eyes still on Caleb.

"Kenzie." Wyatt snapped his fingers in front of my face to get my attention.

I turned to him, "I'm fine, I think. Nothing-"

He pulled me against his chest, wrapping an arm around me tightly, "Don't downplay what that fucker did," he looked down at me, "You're going to charge him."

"What? I can't do that."

"Well, you're not going to let him get away with this."

"Wyatt, he's drunk and-"

That is no excuse!" He stormed away from me, pacing.

"I'm not going to cause a scandal for your family. Please, just leave it. If he comes near me again, I will open a case against him."

"A scandal?" He turned to me, "Are you fucking serious?"

"What is going on out here?" Wyatt's father walked out, his eyes zoned in one, "Ah, of course, you're involved."

Wyatt spun to him, "Watch your mouth. I just flattened my own son, don't think I wouldn't do it to you."

"What happened?"

"Caleb tried to force himself on her."

"Well, I apologize for his actions. Wyatt, take her home, and come straight to see me after."

Wyatt took hold of my hand and ushered me toward the front of the house.