Meant to Marry Me

The limo slowed for a traffic light, and Trent wished he could see out the tinted window better. He thought they were almost to the location of the awards ceremony, a theater in the main part of downtown Nashville, but it was hard to tell with his limited vantage point.

Next to him, Celia was chattering nervously. She hadn't stopped talking since she'd gotten into the car, almost a half hour ago. She looked stunning in a long red and silver gown with her hair pulled up in a clip on the back of her head. He hadn't thought her short hair was long enough for an updo, but clearly it was, and she looked even more elegant than usual. But the fact that she wouldn't stop talking was beginning to wear on him. Trent was nervous enough about having to stand up in front of a room full of his peers and give a speech; her inability to quiet herself wasn't giving him even a moment to attempt to take some deep breaths and calm down.

"I'm sorry I keep rambling on," Celia finally said, causing his head to turn in her direction for the first time in several miles. "I do that when I'm anxious or excited."

"It's okay,” Trent lied. He hoped that meant she'd rein it in, but the reprieve only lasted a few seconds before she was off to the races again, telling him a story about a different award her company had been up for the year before and how she hadn't been invited to attend the event.

Trent had heard that story before, but he nodded politely and inserted the appropriate, "Uh huhs," and "you don't says," whenever they fit, his eyes still glued to the darkened window for the most part. Eventually, he realized where they were and didn't know if he should be glad that the ride was nearly over, and he could get out soon, freeing himself from Celia's storytelling, or terrified about what would come next.

It wouldn't matter how he reacted to the situation; it was unfolding just the same. The limo pulled to a stop, and a valet opened the door for him. He got out and then offered his hand to Celia. She took it and then looped her arm through his. The contact made Trent more than a little uncomfortable, but it was to be expected that he would escort his date into the theater, even if they weren't a couple.

It wasn't exactly a Hollywood moment. There were no snapping photographers outside, no one shouting his name. While he was glad that was the case, he did realize he would likely be in a similar situation in a year or two, though it would be Bree's name everyone would be shouting. She was sure to be a big-time singer in the near future. Then, he would proudly escort her to award ceremonies where she'd finally get the credit she deserved. For now, he was glad to make his way into the theater without anyone shouting or snapping pictures.

Once inside, the situation changed. There were photographers for the city in the foyer, and since his company was receiving the biggest award of the night, it seemed everyone's attention was immediately on him. He was greeted by a representative from the award committee and ushered inside of the ballroom where hundreds of guests were congregated.

Trent took a look around, hearing Celia gasp at how lovely the decor was. Round tables were set up near the stage, the centerpieces consisted of large red flowers and some sort of golden spires Trent wouldn't have had a name for if his life depended upon it. The rest of the room was decorated in red and gold as well, including two large pieces on either side of the stage that mimicked the table centerpieces, though they were much more elaborate with many more flowers and large, shimmery gold pieces intertwined among them.

Most of the guests were mingling in the back third of the room, away from the tables, champagne flutes in hand. Everyone was dressed to the nines in evening gowns and suits. Trent recognized several other Nashville entrepreneurs, men and women he'd read about in magazines or met at luncheons. He hadn't joined any of the high society clubs since he hadn't been in town long and had spent most of the time he was there taking care of Bree, but he was still familiar with the vast majority of the city's upper echelon of wealth and power. Many of them were in the room now.

"My goodness!" Celia said, leaning toward his ear. "There's Grant Houston. And Maria Cantelli!" She had one hand over her mouth so no one could see who she was whispering about. "And look--Anthony Meriwether!"

Trent knew who all of those people were and why it was such a thrill for Celia to see them in person, but he wasn't quite as starstruck as she was. As people noticed them and came over to greet them, Trent began to relax a bit. It helped when Celia unwound her arm from his, and he could shove his hands down into his pockets. He took deep breaths and reminded himself it would all be over soon.

And then he saw a familiar face across the room and every ounce of oxygen was expelled from his lungs. "What the...." Trent muttered, catching himself and stopping the sentence before anyone heard.

Celia had caught it, but she was the only one. Her eyebrows knit together as she studied him. "Is everything okay?"

Shaking his head, Trent tried not to curse. "Yes. Fine. Just... someone I was hoping to never see again is here."

Celia's eyes flew over the crowd as she tried to puzzle it all together. "Who?" she finally asked, lost.

Taking a flute of champagne from a passing tray, Trent downed it, only realizing after it was gone that it would've been more polite to get the lady a drink as well. Now, his mind was really messing with him. He needed to get some air before he completely lost control of himself.

"Trent, what is the matter?" Celia asked, her fake smile full of concern. "What is it?"

His eyes went back across the room to the face he hadn't wanted to see. She was looking at him now, though, that evil smile pulling her lips apart. She'd done this on purpose. She probably wasn't even supposed to be here and only found a way to meddle her way in when she found out he'd be receiving an award. "My ex-fiancée is here," he whispered to Celia, pulling his eyes away from Monica's beautiful, horrid face.

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"Oh." Celia's eyes went up again, searching, but she still had no idea who Trent was talking about, and he wasn't about to point her out. "I'm sorry. Where?"

"It doesn't matter," Trent said, the shock subsiding as he finally regained control of himself. "She doesn't matter."

"Okay," Celia said, but he could tell she didn't believe him. Clearly, Monica still had an effect on him or else he would be able to fully fill his lungs right now. "Do you want another drink?"

Realizing his glass was empty, Trent said, "Absolutely," and took Celia's arm, leading her to the closest drink tray. It was going to be a long night, and he had a feeling he'd be knocking back more drinks than he had in a long time. Especially if Monica found a way to come and talk to him. Interacting with her was the last thing on earth he wanted to do.

A waiter with a tray was making his way through what was quickly becoming a congested room. Trent let go of Celia's arm to pluck each of them a drink off of the tray. She'd just raised the glass to her lips when she made a squealing noise and started wildly gesturing across the room. "That's my friend Hannah--from my old firm!" she declared, pulling on his arm with her free hand. "You have to meet her!"

Since the redhead was on the opposite side of the room from where he'd seen Monica standing, Trent agreed that it was a good idea. By the time they reached her, Hannah was also squealing, and the two women hugged each other as if they hadn't seen each other in years, talking a million miles a minute as they attempted to catch up. Trent was slightly amused; he couldn't remember ever seeing Celia act so much like a high schooler, but it was kind of nice to see her break away from the no-nonsense persona she carried with her in the office.

Listening to the conversation, he learned that Hannah was there with her boyfriend, Frank, who was accepting an award for his new dental practice. He didn't have much to say, which immediately made Trent like the guy. At the moment, he could handle awkwardly standing next to Celia without the demands of conversation so long as it meant he didn't have to think about the fact that Monica was there. He was still trying to figure out how she'd come to be at the ceremony when the MC called for their attention.