Housewife Gone Wild

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.

rolled to a stop nearby, just as a

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

lights above the door cast a glow over his face, and for a brief

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

man addressed as “Mr. Hallman” nodded and

flicked toward me before he slid into

Not that I could help it–amid

the car

lingering crush on Lloyd vanished the moment she saw

stage for male bravado

when asked about work.

through dinner, I let my phone vibrate itself