Kim could see the look of disgust and annoyance in her friend’s face but it was nothing compared to the feeling in her heart. Natasha would never know how she felt. She’d never know the betrayal, the hurt, and despair that Kim felt right then. Her life was over when it had never really begun. How could anyone call what she did living when every moment was for someone else, never herself?

And now she was about to cross a line over which she could never return.

Once she set foot on that plane and traversed the ocean, any hope of a normal life would be over. From what she remembered of them, the Andrewses were stuffy and pretentious, and Spencer was the most anal guy she’d ever met. Seduce him? That bit would be easy. But marry him? That was a whole other prospect.

She grabbed the vodka bottle from the bartender, and downed the remaining contents in one go. Clear liquid burned every inch of its way down as she hissed her approval.

“That’s what I’m talkin’ about.”

“For crying out loud,” Natasha sighed.

“What?” she snapped involuntarily.

Her friend cocked her head at her accusingly. Kim knew what that meant. She took a deep breath and sighed. She was acting out, behaving like a bratty teen. No wonder her parents wanted to marry her off.

“Sorry,” she apologized.

Natasha shook her head sympathetically. “It’s OK. I know you’ve got a lot going on right now. But this...” she indicated the bottle and Kim’s ragged appearance, “this isn’t you.”

Her friend was right. This wasn’t her. She tried to refocus, get herself back in the game, but all she could think of was the upcoming trip to England and the horrific scenario it presented.

Natasha slapped her hand across the bar. “So what’re you going to do about it?”

Kim’s head snapped up, her wide green eyes piercing her friend’s dark gaze. “What can I do? It’s all decided and I agreed. Case closed.” Feeling dizzy now from the effects of the vodka, she stumbled against the bar a little. “I’m outta here.”

She stumbled erratically through the crowds, her short skirt and skimpy top gaining the attention of most of the guys she passed, but she didn’t notice. Her eyes were solely focused on the exit. She could hear Natasha following her but she didn’t look back.

The moment they stepped outside, her friend grabbed Kim’s arm and turned her around. “Oh, come on, quit the ‘poor me’ act. The Kim Weston I know doesn’t just give in. So what—now you’ve decided to just turn into a wet mop and do what they want?”

“What does it matter?” Kim spat. “Everything stays the same. They always get what they want. So why bother fighting?”