Looking down at the smooth-lacquered bar, she picked up the cap and rolled it in her fingers with a weak smile on her lips. In whatever way she could take it, she needed to be right with him—needed to be right with them. Emily knew fate wasn’t playing fair with either one of their hearts. Fate had broken all the rules in their case, creating a no-holds-barred wicked game that was demolishing both of their inner beings. Tugging at their deepest thoughts with strength unlike any other, it was bringing the strongest of men down to his knees and had her questioning her decisions—but she wasn’t about to let it destroy either of their lives any further.

Drawing in another deep breath, she met his gaze and nodded. “Yes, Gavin…truce.”

As the relief soaked through his veins, Gavin analyzed her face, hoping to burn the vision of her into his memory. It’d felt like forever since he’d seen her. “So how’ve you been?”

“I’ve been doing okay. You?”

“Yeah, I’ve been alright,” he lied smoothly, praying she couldn’t tell. She gave him a weak smile that had him second-guessing his acting abilities. “So Olivia told me that since Dillon’s leaving on business tomorrow, she’s your official date to my mother’s fundraiser this weekend.”

“Yes, she is. Tina’s going away to her grandparents’ home in Texas, so we figured we’d make it a certified ladies’ night together.”

“Very cool,” he smiled and leaned back in his chair. “I’m sure you’ll have a great time.”

Smiling, she let out a cough. “Well, I’m looking forward to it.”

“You don’t sound good,” he said, placing the back of his hand against her forehead. She flinched away slightly but smiled. “You actually feel feverish.”

“You can tell by feeling my forehead, huh?” She brought her hand up to her forehead. She then started rummaging through her purse, looking for Tylenol. “Now your resume consists of business mogul, nanny, and doctor, too.”

Laughing, he shrugged. “The nanny part coincides with the doctor part. I’ve watched Timothy and Theresa a few times while they were sick.” He took a swig of his beer. “You shouldn’t be out, feeling the way you do.”

She sighed. “Yeah, I know I shouldn’t be.” He looked at her questioningly. Popping the medicine into her mouth, she downed some water. “Long story.”

Though he had a pretty good idea who made her come out, Gavin didn’t probe.

Staring at him, curiosity got the better of Emily as she wondered why he was there alone. “So, uh, what happened to that girl you brought with you to the engagement party?”

She wasn’t you… “She moved to the West Coast to be closer to her family,” he replied, the lie tumbling from his mouth effortlessly.

“Oh, I’m sorry about that.”

“Nah, it’s no biggie.”

With that, Trevor and Fallon approached the two of them, both sweat-riddled from their dancing.

“Country,” Fallon breathed out heavily, wiping the back of her neck, “take a walk with me to the restroom. I need to fix my makeup that I’m pretty damn sure is all over the place right about now.”

“Sure,” Emily said, rising from the barstool. She looked at Gavin. “Could you keep an eye on my purse for me?”

He nodded, but Trevor yanked it from the bar and slung it across his body. “I’ll keep an eye on it. Blake might steal some freakish keepsake of you for himself.”

They all laughed, and the two women started heading toward the restrooms.

As Emily weaved her way through the endless amount of fans celebrating the Yankees win, she spotted Dillon playing a game of pool. He was hanging out with a cluster of men and women across the bar. She could tell it was taking all of his efforts to remain standing upright as his body swayed back and forth while lining up a shot. A ripple of laughter washed over the crowd when he sank the eight ball.

“So much for spending time with me,” she mumbled.

Fallon pulled the restroom door open, and they walked in. “I know I don’t know Dillon that well, Country, but I’m assuming he forced you to come out tonight.”

“Well, I could’ve said no,” she replied as she observed her appearance in the mirror.

Ripping a piece of paper towel from the dispenser, Fallon doused it with some water and started wiping her face and arms. The corner of her mouth turned up a smirk. “Right, but you didn’t.”

Emily shrugged. “I felt bad about not coming. I love Trevor.”

Fallon tossed the paper towel into the trash and looked at Emily, her gray eyes twinkling with concern. “And Trevor loves you, but you need to find your voice with your man. Put him in his place when need be.”

Emily studied her for a second, feeling slightly confused. “I think I do put him in his place, Fallon.”

Cocking her head to the side, Fallon approached her and placed her hand on her shoulder. “I’m not trying to start anything with you, Country. I just think you could be a little tougher with him, that’s all.”

A faint smile tugged at Emily’s lips, but she didn’t answer.

Fallon grabbed for her hand and led them out. Upon emerging, a large group had gathered just outside the door, making it difficult for them to maneuver their way through the crowd.

“Shit,” Fallon said. “I think I just got my damn period. Go ahead back to the bar with the guys. I’ll be right out.”

Emily nodded and tried to make her way through the crowd.

“Looks like you’re stuck here,” a man standing next to her yelled over the blaring music. Emily’s eyes shifted to his smile, his height intimidating her as he brushed his hand over his buzzed head. “I could lift you up and carry you to where you have to go.”

“Umm, no thanks. I’ll make it through,” Emily laughed as she continued her attempt to squeeze her way through the other patrons.

“Eric,” he said, extending his hand while trying to also dodge the masses.

She shook it. “Emily. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Well, Emily, I’m here with a few friends if you want to come to our table and have a drink with us. They’re right over there,” he said, gesturing to a booth a few feet away. “If we make it over there,” he laughed. “It doesn’t look like we’ll be moving too far in all of this.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m here with my fiancé.”

“Getting married? Very nice,” he smiled. “When’s the big day? Not a Halloween wedding, right?”

Emily laughed. “No, but that would’ve been a cool idea.” She stood on her tiptoes in an attempt to see over the still lingering crowd. “It’s November 24th.”

“Awesome,” he replied. “Can I see your ring?”

Emily thought his request was odd, but nonetheless, she figured she might be able to use it to her advantage. “How’s about we do a little bartering here, Eric?” she smiled. “I’ll let you take a look at my ring if you part this group like the Red Sea, so I can get back to my friends.”

“Sounds like a deal,” he laughed. Emily lifted her hand, and he took it in his. With widened eyes, his mouth hung ajar. “That’s a fucking rock if I’ve ever seen one. Well, congratulations to you and your fiancé. I wish you both—”

“Emily,” Dillon interrupted, his voice filled with anger. He pinned her with a hard look, and she shivered. Pulling her hand away from Eric, she started to speak, but Dillon directed his attention to the other man. “Why the fuck are you grabbing my fiancée’s hand?”

“Dillon,” Emily nervously blurted out. “He was going to—”

“Shut the fuck up, Emily,” he growled. “Answer my fucking question, man. Why the fuck were you touching her?”

Eric narrowed his eyes. “Chill out, buddy. I asked if I could see her engagement ring.”

Without another word spoken, Eric’s head flew back when Dillon punched him square in the nose, his blood spewing on Emily’s sweater. With a gasp, Emily’s heart tripled over in her chest as she watched Eric’s body slump against the wall. Stumbling to his feet, Eric rubbed at his nose for a second and then started swinging wildly at Dillon.