Whatever. This is so not me, but I’m just waiting to get the night over with. Maybe it’s better that Ryan’s not coming—he wouldn’t recognize his date.
I tug at my hair. The woman tied it up over my head in some fancy updo. It has a name, but I can’t remember what it is.
“No!” Mom shrieks, pulling my hand. “Don’t fuss with your hair. Or your makeup.”
“I feel like an imposter,” I mumble as I take another look in the mirror. “People are going to ask, ‘Where’s Andrea West’s daughter?’”
She rolls her eyes. “Stop being so dramatic, Artemis.” Her eyes skim me from top to bottom. “You look beautiful, honey.”
I glower at my reflection. I’m wearing a golden dress that’s so sparkly it could blind someone. I made a bit of a fuss when the stylist brought it out, but somehow she managed to get it on me.
Mom’s in a pretty green dress and fancy updo. She can pull off the fancy and sophisticated look, not me.
“I don’t look likeme,” I say. “So why does it matter if I look beautiful?”
Mom throws her hands up, leaving the room like she doesn’t know what to do with me. My fingers move to my hair to mess it up a little, but I stop them. I’ll have to just endure it.
I grab my purse, which conveniently matches my dress, then make my way downstairs. Dad, Mom, and Jason are waiting for me. Dad and Jason have got their finest suits on. Yep, all four of us are more than ready for the Ball.
There’s a limo waiting for us outside. We pick up Jenna before heading to the town ballroom. Jenna looks like she belongs to this kind of lifestyle. Her hair is perfect and her makeup, is too. I think mine has started to melt away, which is probably my fault. Too much resting my hands on my cheeks and licking my lips. I bet it won’t survive the entire evening.
Jenna and Jason hold hands, smiling and giggling to one another. Mom and Dad love her, like really love her. Like they already see her as their daughter-in-law. She comes from a well-known, well respected family in River Spring, so of course she’s got Dad’s stamp of approval.
A heavy sigh leaves my lips as I think about what awaits me in the next few hours. Torture. Plain torture.
We reach the ballroom and file out of the limo. Mom slips her hand through Dad’s arm, Jenna and Jason do the same. All four of them smile to the cameras and reporters gathered around. I follow them like a lost puppy, keeping my head lowered to avoid the reporters. Sometimes I forget my dad’s pretty much a celebrity in this town. And with an event as important as this one, every little detail will be scrutinized and analyzed. So not only can’t I make a scene, I need to play the perfect daughter. Who has no date…
“Art?” Jenna says.
Lifting my head, I find her and Jason standing at the entrance to the ballroom. Mom and Dad have already gone inside, probably doing photo shoots or whatever.
I follow my best friend and brother inside. Sure enough, the photographers demand pictures. So I deal with that for what feels like hours.
The photographer spends a few minutes snapping pictures of Jenna and Jason, calling them the perfect couple and how everyone will be talking about them for the next few days. Then he takes photos of me. By myself. Like this isn’t mortifying? I bet he wants to tell me that everyone will be talking about me, too, but for different reasons.
Then it’s over and I’m free to get some air. I leap outside, weaving through the throngs of people eager to participate in the event. I recognize some of them, and give them the courtesy hello and nod of my head.
Once I’m outside, I take in a deep breath. Fresh oxygen never tasted so good. There’s just a bit too many people here.
As I’m enjoying the evening air, my eyes focus on two people in the distance. I can’t see them well, but I glimpse a guy stepping out of the limo and holding out a hand to the girl, who graciously takes it.
As they make their way toward me, their faces shape into view. And my stomach literally plummets to the ground.
Brianne Crawford and Ryan Rogers, walking side by side, her hand through his curved arm. She’s wearing this exquisite light green dress that makes her look regal, like a princess, but so much more. He’s got on a black suit, which makes him look so dashing it’s a crime. It nearly takes my breath away. His long hair is tied back neatly.
What is he…what’s he doing here? He told me he had plans with his grandmother.
They approach the building and stop when their gazes land on me. Ryan’s beautiful blue eyes widen as they take me in. I can’t drop my eyes from his. I have no idea what my face is saying, but I’m pretty sure it’s along the lines of “what the heck are you doing here?”
He glances away quickly, but then his eyes meet mine again. Then again.
Brianne tucks him close, so close it’s like she wishes she could tie a leash around him. He looks indifferent, like usual.
“Hey, Artemis,” Brianne says with a wide smile on her face. She sweeps the area, frowning. “Where’s your date? Inside? Or are you waiting for him?”
I keep my focus on Ryan, who turns to me with those same, unreadable eyes. Then he looks away, shoving his free hand into his jacket pocket.
So…it’s true? He and Brianne are a thing? He lied to me?
