Zach threaded his way through the crowd, his eyes locked on Reese and Matthew with every step.


    He caught Matthew''s voice, overheard him introducing Reese with that easy confidence. Seeing Reese by Matthew''s side, her smile soft and effortless, made anger rise in Zach''s chest like wildfire.


    He''d actually looked forward to this night, to maybe seeing her again. Justst night, he''d gone over a hundred different ways it might y out. Maybe she''d ignore him. Maybe she''d be cold. He was ready for it all-even ready to swallow his pride and apologize. He was the one who screwed up, after all.


    But right now, seeing her standing there with Matthew, looking like they just fit together, every ounce of reason he had snapped.


    "Reese. It''s been a while, hasn''t it?"


    He slid up beside them, forcing a smile as he looked at Reese, but his eyes were icy. "Where''s Mr. Ratcliff? Surprised he didn''t show up with you tonight."


    Reese''s smile faded a bit. She lifted her eyes to meet his, her expression cool and unreadable. “Did you want something?"


    Matthew automatically shifted, putting himself between her and Zach, protective and wary.


    Zach didn''t even look at Matthew. His lips twisted into a mocking grin, his voice sharp with sarcasm. "Really, Mr. Ratcliff''s not here? That''s odd." He paused, eyeing Matthew up and down like he was just noticing him. "Who''s this, then? Someone new? You''re not going to introduce us?"


    People nearby started to notice, conversations trailing off as curious, judgmental eyes turned their way. Reese''s face hardened.


    She knew exactly what Zach was up to. He''d always been obsessive, reckless, never thinking about consequences. He and Matthew had clearly met before, so this was just Zach stirring up drama, trying to embarrass her in front of everyone, giving them a reason to gossip.


    Matthew shot Zach a re, his whole posture tense. He''s ready to step in, but Reese reached back and took his wrist, gently holding him back.


    head at Matthew,


    She shook her h


    then took a step toward Zach. Her voice was calm and clear, but cold as ice. "Matthew invited me tonight and introduced me to everyone Tra grateful. My rtionship with Matthew is strictly professional. There''s nothing inappropriate.


    "But Zach, you left your pregnant fiancée at home toe here and pick a fight with me. Does that really sound like someone who knows what it means to be a husband?


    "Or is it that you''ve already lost interest in your fiancée, and now you think every man near me is some kind of threat?


    "Funny how people with dirty minds think everything is as filthy as them."


    Zach was struck silent, his fake smile dropping as his face darkened.


    He never thought he''d see the day Reese would talk to him like this, all because of another man.


    He took a shaky breath and forced a stiff smile, trying to save face. "Maybe I overreacted. I just wanted to look out for you. Who knows what this guy really wants?"


    Reese let out a coldugh, her eyes gleaming with scorn. "That''s not Zach. I''m not exactly


    your business anyone two


    in the position to give


    million dors to help them start over, am I?"


    Zach''s heart clenched. He knew exactly what she was talking about. He stepped


    forward and reached out. "Reese, I-"


    "Don''t touch me." Reese sidestepped


    him, her gaze sharp as ss. "It''s


    over, Zach. I don''t want to see you


    again. My life has nothing to do with you anymore.


    "Nothing to do with me?" Zach took a step back, disbelief washing over him, like he was right back on the day she''d been taken away in that police car.


    "We grew up together, Reese. How could I not care?"


    "And what are you going to do about it?" she shot back, her voice steady and


    cold. "Frame me again? Hand me over to the authorities with some made-up evidence?"