He groans, the sound low in his throat. I can feel him hard against my stomach, and the way his fingers curl in my hair says he remembers every second from the club and is making up for not being able to touch me.
I break away first, breath coming too fast. His lips are pinker, swollen. My own feel ruined.
“This didn’t happen,” I say, smoothing my top, fixing my hair in the reflection of the dark glass nearby.
His smile is slow and dangerous. “Whatever you say, baby.”
I walk back toward the ballroom before I can say something worse. By the time I sit, the food has arrived. I focus on my pancakes, on cutting perfect bites, on ignoring the heat still crawling under my skin.
Talon returns a minute later, and slides into his seat. He looks calm. Only his mouth betrays him.
Abi launches into wedding talk, asking about flowers and guest lists and color schemes.
“We called you both here,” she says, dabbing her lips, “because on Friday we’re having a little engagement party. Very low key. You will both be there.”
“Of course,” my dad says.
I nod. “Send me the details.”
Talon picks at his potatoes. “Will Minxy be there?”
My father perks up. “We asked the headmaster if she could come home for a long weekend. We’re waiting to hear back.”
Abi waves a hand. “He called. She can’t miss school. Exams or something. She’ll be fine.”
Talon’s shoulders sink almost imperceptibly. He cuts into his steak with too much focus. My dad’s smile falters.
A spark of anger burns through me. Abi didn’t even bother pretending she tried. Didn’t even bother considering how much Minxy being there means to them.
I sip my mimosa, deciding I’m done being polite.
“That’s strange,” I say. “Daddy, maybe you can donate some money and sway them. It is your wedding after all, and your soon-to-be stepdaughter should be there.”
Abi’s fork freezes midair.
My father blinks. “Oh. Well. Yes, I could try.
“Great,” I say lightly. “You could call them yourself. Exceptions get made all the time for family events. Especially when schools are funded by parents who care.”
Abi’s smile strains. “I’m sure they have rules?—”
“Rules can bend,” I cut in softly. “And if not, maybe Talon can take us to visit Minxy at school this weekend.” I turn to him, calm as ever. “Right? I’d love to see her dorm. Meet her friends.”
Talon’s head lifts, eyes brightening. “Yeah. I’d take you.”
Abi’s pearl necklace shifts as she swallows. “That won’t be necessary.”
“It might be,” I murmur, giving her a pleasant smile with just enough teeth. “If she can’t come to us, we’ll go to her. Family makes the effort.”
My father beams, oblivious. “Exactly.”
Abi’s hand tightens around her champagne flute. “We’ll… revisit it.
Good.
When brunch winds down, I wipe my mouth and set my napkin aside. “I want to meet Minxy before the wedding,” I say. “If I’m standing up there and giving my blessing, I would like to know all of my soon to be family.”
My father brightens. “I think that is a great idea.”
