The moment I say that, the valet knocks on our window. Startled, we both leave the car. Josh stands at the entrance with Olivia. He’s looking down at his watch, impatient, and when we get close, he asks, “You had to be this late?”
Mom recoils, not expecting that. “I’m sorry.” He shakes his head before grabbing her hand. She follows behind while Olivia catches up, wrapping an arm around her dad’s, and I scoff, walking past them.
Without any sense of direction, I stalk off to where I see everyone going. People are looking at me, causing me to look down at myself, hoping I’m not over or underdressed.As I’m trying to look for someone I know in this gigantic place, I hear my name. Ana comes over, crashing into me, sucking me into a huge bear hug, and I happily receive it, especially with all that’s been happening.
“Oh my gosh, cupcake! You lookbella,” she says as she spins me around, puts her hands to her lips, and smacks them together.
I giggle. “You look amazing, Ana.” I eye her satin maroon dress, which sparkles under the ambient lighting.
“Kate!” she shouts, and walks over to Mom, giving her a big hug while going in for the polite handshake with Josh and Olivia. A corner of my mouth quirks up at the sight before someone’s arm snakes around my shoulders.
“Hey, pumpkin.”
“Hey, Will.”
“Will, Bianca, over here,mis amores,” Ana says, waving us over. We stand there as Josh looks at us, and I wish I could wipe his and his daughter’s dumb smiles right off their faces.
“Kate, how are you?” William asks, letting me go to gather her in a small side hug. Then, he looks over at Josh and sticks out a hand with a semi-friendly smile. “Josh,” he simply says as Josh reaches for his hand and shakes it, distaste swimming in his eyes. I mean, at least William is trying to be nice.
William then looks over at Olivia to smile and she returns the gesture. He then pulls back and wraps his arm around my shoulders and squeezes, almost as if he knows.
“Alright, everyone. I’m so happy to see all of you here and I’m glad that you could make it,” an older man on the stage says, and we all clap as he clears his throat. Everyone goes to their seats. I grin when I see that we’re all sitting together. I frown when I see Liam’s placard next to mine, but he’s nowhere to be found. Sitting, I look around to see if I spot him, but to no avail. Someone starts talking into the mic, though I’m not even paying attention.
Ana leans toward me. “I think he’s running late.” I freeze like a deer in headlights and can only nod while she smirks.
There’s some microphone feedback and he apologizes before continuing. “As you know, I started this company over forty-seven years ago, and it’s now my turn to retire. Five short years ago, I was gifted with the most dedicated employee I have ever seen, and it is my great honor to bestow the title of CEO on William Parker!” Applause roars to life from every corner of the room. Josh whispers something to Olivia and she puts her hands down. I roll my eyes, glancing back to see William climb up on stage.
He hugs the guy, and everyone laughs as the older man stands there awkwardly. He then pats him on the back and gives William the microphone. “Hi, everyone. Wow—I’m speechless, and if you know me, that usuallyneverhappens,” he says, and we start laughing at that. “I want to thank Mr. Palacios for this amazing opportunity. I promise I won’t let you down. Let’s enjoy the rest of tonight, shall we?” He walks off the stage as a nice, slow song comes on. Couples get up to dance, leaving me by myself as they all walk to the dance floor. Olivia’s nowhere to be found.
I fidget with my thumbs as I think about where Liam might be, my mind being the dumb traitor it is by saying he might not even come.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
LIAM
“That’s what I mean! I mean, she must’ve feltsomething!” Chase yells through the speaker, and I wince at that, setting the phone on the counter as I start to fix my hair. “Hello?” he asks, and I roll my eyes.
“I’m still here.”
“Well? Has Bianca said anything?” I smirk as he refers to her by her first name, no nickname. I mean, theyhadfound us in a bit of a compromising position the other night at the tattoo parlor.
In his head—she’s mine. Just like I like it. I scrunch the strands of hair as I add in some conditioner to make my hair fluffy, how she said she liked it.
“No. And even if she did, I wouldn’t tell you. Stop being a wimp and text Jamie.”
He scoffs. “I did. Twice.” He sighs in frustration. Poor guy’s never had to pursue , and now getting to know Jamie a bit ...
Yeah, I wish him luck.
“Dude, a couple of weeks ago, I was chilling. Hanging with girls, living the life. And then I see Jamie ...” Hedoesn’t elaborate, and I know exactly what he means. That’s how I’ve felt about Bianca since I was eight years old.
“I feel you, man,” I mutter, pulling at my suit, feeling a bit self-conscious. I close my eyes, hoping I don’t regret this as I tap the option to video call him. He picks up, giving me a confused look. “How do I look?” I back up, showing him my all-black outfit with a deep emerald tie. He whistles.
“You look fly, dude. What’s with the green tie, though?”
My face flushes in embarrassment. “I may or may not have found out what color her dress is.”
Chase bursts out laughing at the admission. “Never thought I’d see the day. I mean, the Campus Grouchthiswhipped?”
