Sweet Surrender (Sweet Jealousy, Book Two) Read Online Free PDF Page B

was engaged. He hadn’t even tried to lie to her!
    The gall of him!
    She started getting more and more worked up, until she was so tense she was pacing back and forth. Finally, she decided that she wasn’t going to be here when and if Nathan came to see her. Why should she be? He didn’t deserve to have her sitting here, just resting on her laurels while he was God knows where with God knows who.
    But where would she go?
    The Tech in Journalism Gala.
    Why not? Tia had already invited her, and what did she have to lose? If she got caught crashing the party, then so what? It wasn’t like things could get much worse.
    She strode into the bedroom and threw open the closet. There were dresses, of course. Beautiful, shimmery, shiny dresses hanging neatly on hangers. Probably for when Nathan wanted her to parade around in the apartment, Addison thought angrily.
    It’s not like he would be taking her out anywhere – not when he had a fiancé.
    She sent Tia a quick text.
    Want to go. Meet you outside the hotel in an hour?

    ***
    By the time Addison arrived at the Covington Hotel, her anger hadn’t faded. If anything, it had only intensified. She’d spent the last hour getting ready, and working herself up even more than she already was.
    Her hair was blown straight, her makeup was perfectly applied, and her dress a black sparkly number with a plunging neckline that fit her like a glove.
    Tia wolf whistled when she saw her. “Wow!” she exclaimed, her eyes bugging out of her head. “Where the hell did you come from?”
    “Is it too much?” For the first time since she’d put the dress on, Addison was afraid she might have overdone it.
    “No, it’s hot,” Tia said. “But how can you afford Cavalli?”
    “Who?”
    “Roberto Cavalli.”
    Addison shrugged. “Never heard of him.”
    “Where did you get that dress?”
    “It was a gift.” It wasn’t a lie.
    “Well, you look amazing.”
    “Thanks.” Addison flushed at her friend’s compliment. Tia knew what she was talking about when it came to fashion, and if Tia approved, then Addison knew she must look good. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”
    “Thanks.” Tia was wearing an aquamarine floor-length sheath that gathered on the side. The dress accentuated her waist while showcasing her curves. “Come on.” Tia took Addison’s hand and pulled her into the hotel.
    To Addison’s surprise, they weren’t even asked for their tickets. Dinner seemed to be winding down, and the well-dressed guests were wandering around the ballroom now, cocktails in hand as they talked and schmoozed.
    “Wow,” Addison breathed. She couldn’t help it. Everything was just so glamorous.
    “I know.” Tia squeezed her hand. “Pretty amazing, isn’t it?”
    Addison nodded.
    A tuxedoed waiter floated by holding a tray full of champagne, and Tia grabbed two and handed one flute to Addison.
    Addison took a sip. It was sweet and smooth, the best champagne she’d ever had, and she forced herself not to gulp it down.
    “What do we do now?” Addison asked.
    “Now we mingle,” Tia said, a glint in her eye.
    “Mingle?” The thought was terrifying. Addison didn’t know anyone here. How was she supposed to mingle?
    “Yeah, you know, talk to people, network, that kind of thing?” Tia was scanning the crowd. She spotted someone she knew over near the front of the room, and she waved. “I’ll be right back.”
    Addison was about to tell her not to leave her just standing here, but before she could, Tia was gone, practically floating across the room.
    Damn. What was she supposed to do now?
    The bar was practically empty, mostly because the room was well-stocked with waiters making their way through the crowd with enough drinks to keep everyone happy.
    Addison sat down on one of the stools and sipped her champagne.
    She was working up the courage to strike up a conversation with the woman on her right when a man sat down next to her.
    “Hello,” he said, sounding