Xander:If I were there, it's not your hand I'd be holding ;) I believe in you. You'll be great. Go get 'em, baby, and then come to me later and tell me all about it.
He doesn't reply straight away, soI take it that he's on his way to the party and put my phone back in my pocket.
There's a waiter walking past, so I take a glass of champagne and look for Nora. She knows who the finalists of the competition are, and I want to meet Andrew Cinder before the announcements.
"You're looking good," Mark says, appearing out of nowhere. Usually, the masks we wear are figurative, but somehow, he’s managed to find a mask that represents his personality perfectly.
He looks at me from head to toe, pausing slightly when his eyes zero in on my crotch.
I cough and he looks up again. There's something in his gaze that makes me feel uncomfortable, but I don't know why. Maybe it's that I finally see Mark for who he is. What did I ever see in him before?
Was I that blind? Or lonely?
"Thank you. Was that all? I need to be somewhere?" I say, turning to leave.
Mark places a hand on my arm to stop me.
"Where do you need to be? Did you bring a date?"
"No, I'm on my own." I try to leave again, but Mark seems relentless in his pursuit.
"I thought you had a new friend, a commoner from the market. Isn't he with you? Or maybe he didn't have anything to wear. Shame."
I don't give Mark the benefit of commenting on his statement because I'm fuming that he's referring to Ash as if he's somehow inferior to us. Who does he think he is? And how does he know about Ash?
Nora waves to catch my attention, and I walk to her like she’s a breath of fresh air.
"You're the most beautiful woman in the room, hands down," I say, kissing her cheek.
"Don't let your mother hear that. I've seen her, and if I didn't like her so much, I'd punch her in the ladies’ room and steal her dress."
I laugh and take a sip of the champagne. "Can I meet the semi-finalists?"
"Of course. Andrew Cinder hasn't arrived yet, but we can meet the others. I've already made some introductions using the list of contacts from Mia."
"Perfect. Let's schmooze."
21
ASH
I don't thinkI've ever been this nervous in my life. My hands are damp and shaky, and I can't do the bowtie Nicki gave me. Why didn't she get one of those ready-mades that just clip on?
Why is it so freaking hot in the cottage? I'm going to arrive at the party late and smelling like I haven't had a shower in weeks.
I give up and run over to the farmhouse. The lights are on in the living room, so I know Victoria is awake, but it's past the twins' bedtime.
Victoria stands up quickly when she sees me.
"What's up? Are you okay?"
I shake my head. "I can't do the bowtie, and I'm late, and Nicki ordered a car to take me—"
Victoria places her hand on my shoulder, which shuts me up because it's unexpected. Then again, me coming to her for help is also unexpected.
"Breathe, Ashton," she says, her voice strangely calm.
She undoes my mess and fixes it into a straight, pretty bow.
