Chapter 17 I never called myself the prettiest girl on campus , but I was nominated for it once in college . Later , I lost to another girl from a wealthier family - not that I cared , though it gave the gossip mill plenty to churn over . " The runner - up belle , " I said with a self - deprecating smile . The man hosting us was Lloyd Johnson , dressed in a tailored suit that screamed corporate success . People crowded around him , laying on the praise . He wore the smug look of a man who'd made it , though his gaze kept flickering to me . Truth was , only Melissa knew I'd married Jared . The rest just assumed I had a rich husband and left it at that . " Victoria ! " A voice cut through the chatter . I turned to see the class loudmouth - a guy who'd once tried to date me . I used to skip these reunions back then . It wasn't hard to feel insecure when everyone else had successful careers while I stayed home . My bank account might have been full , but not my sense of self - worth . A black Mercedes - Maybach rolled to a stop nearby , just as a group of people emerged from the lobby entrance . At the front was a young man - tall and lean , probably over six feet - in a tailored navy suit and gold - framed glasses . When he heard that guy call out my name , he stopped mid - step and turned to look at me . The vintage - style lights above the door cast a glow over his face , and for a brief moment , our eyes met . " Mr. Hallman , what a pleasure to meet you ! " Lloyd nearly stumbled in his haste to approach . " Hello , Mr. Hallman , I'm Lloyd Johnson from Luminovate Tech - we met several weeks ago . " He scrambled to pull out a business card and offered it with both hands . The man addressed as " Mr. Hallman " nodded and took the card . " Hello ," he said . Then , without warning , his gaze flicked toward me before he slid into the Maybach . I'd been watching him the whole time . Not that I could help it - amid a crowd of unremarkable men , a face that handsome was impossible to ignore . Lloyd practically tripped over himself to close the car door , his farewell wave oozing false charm . Melissa's lingering crush on Lloyd vanished the moment she saw him turn into such a suck - up . The dinner table became a stage for male bravado while we women ate in comfortable silence . " I'm a stay - at - home mom , " I answered when asked about work . Then the conversation died right there . When Jared called halfway through dinner , I let my phone vibrate itself into silence . When someone eagerly proposed moving the party to a karaoke bar , Melissa and I declined with polite excuses and made our escape . I helped Melissa all the way into her apartment , where she collapsed on the sofa with unexpected clarity . " Maybe you were smart to marry young , Victoria . These days I can't stand any man . Should've grabbed someone when I had the chance . " " Don't be ridiculous , " I said . " Men aren't that special - same basic parts as the rest of us . Plenty of good ones left . " With that pep talk delivered , I headed home . 1/2 The car hummed with music , and without a care weighing me down , I felt completely at peace .