I take a peek where everyone is sitting, but I don’t see her and assume she went to pay, so that’s where I head. By the time I manage to extricate myself from the crowd, the person taking the donations tells me she already paid.
She couldn’t have already left. She’s probably outside waiting for her ride. I offered to pick her up, but she said she had it handled.
Just as I’m about to go check Mom blocks my path.
“Sylas, sweetheart.” She smiles primly, but it’s strained like the rest of her face. She runs a palm down the lapels of my tux, smoothing them out. “We need to talk.”
“I really can’t right now. I need to go.” I flash her my best smile, hoping it doesn’t look as fake as this entire interaction is.
I love her and I know in her own way she loves me, but she’s more concerned about appearances and all that bullshit. Which is why she’s retouching my bow tie, smiling like a mother should.
“I’ll make it quick.” She drops her hand just as Dad takes his place by her side. “Who is she?”
“She’s…” I stagger, my gaze landing on Florence as she comes to stand next to my mother.
What is she doing here? God, she’s everywhere.
“I really thought I had a chance at winning.” She sighs, her disappointment evident.
I did too and was kind of shocked she didn’t keep bidding, but whatever.
“Don’t worry about it, Florence. I’m sure we can figure something out. Can’t we, Sylas?” Mom shoots me a threatening look. “Maybe the girl and you can switch, she can go out with Frost.”
Frost? Did Florence bid on Everett? I thought she hated him. He dislikes her just as much.
“But she?—”
“Just tell the girl there’s been a change of plans,” Dad interjects, sounding uninterested. “She’ll understand.”
I fist my hand as a tremor runs through my fingers. I want to smoke, but I threw my cigarettes away. My breath picks up, chest tight and compressed like something is sitting on it. I tell myself to breathe, to think.
“I can’t do that because she’s my girl…friend.” I can’t believe that came out of my mouth. Their faces recoil in shock…betrayal…disgust. I’m not sure, but for the first time in my life, I’ve stunned them into silence.
I’m just as surprised. I didn’t mean to say that and I shouldn’t have, but I didn’t know what else to say. I can’t take it back now.
“And we’re meeting up now and going out. So, if you’ll excuse me…” I do the cowardly thing and bolt before they can ask questions.
I stop in my tracks when I spot her by the entrance and see she’s not alone. She’s with Alex, and she’s smiling big at him. My stomach knots, and I have to fist my hands at my side again. Force my feet not to move to her and make an ass of myself.
When she laughs at whatever he said, I make the decision to turn and walk away but don’t make it far when she calls my name.
“Sylas.” She says it like she’s both relieved and happy to see me and her face exudes that when I spin and our eyes connect. An electric current rushes through my body, making it thrum vigorously. “Where are you going? Are we not leaving?”
I recover and stroll over to them. “Yeah, sorry, I thought I left my phone, but it’s right here.” I pat my pocket. “I’m ready to go. You weren’t waiting long, were you?” I stand next to her and don’t give it a second thought as I slip my arm around her back, pin her side to mine, and lay my palm on top of her hip.
She grins up at me and I note a charged glint in her eyes that makes my heart race. “Not long.” Her body is pliant against mine. I don’t want to put too much thought into this, but she so easily and comfortably lets me hold her. She feels right next to me. It’s strange, but what’s stranger is how much I like it.
I look back at Alex, dimming my smile into something casual, making sure it doesn’t look smug.
His eyes track the movement then his lips pinch in a tight smile. “Got it. I’ll stay in my lane.”
“You do that.” I give him a dismissive once-over.
“I’ll see you, Anna.” He tips his head at me then pivots and walks away.
We watch him leave, neither one of us moving, and even when we know he’s gone, we don’t shift. I know I should let go and I think she’s thinking it too, but we stay as we are.
“Thanks for playing along. He wouldn’t get the hint.” A relieved sigh slips past her lips.
