“Unfortunately,” Miles says distractedly.
“Wait,” I hold up a hand. “Wouldn’t we have to hand over our phones too? You know, to keep pictures from being taken?”
Nix scowls and pinches the bridge of his nose. A quiet, “fuck,” comes out of his mouth before he drops his hand back to his side. He hadn’t thought of that, apparently.
Searching the floor for answers, Miles eventually says, “Her shoe,” as his eyes stare at my bare toes. He points. “We’ll track her shoe.”
“My shoe?” I nearly laugh.
“Do you plan to take off your shoes?” he asks sarcastically.
“Well . . . no.”
“Then we’ll track your shoe.”
Nix nods curtly in approval.
“Good,” Miles breathes out. “I still don’t like this, but I’ll feel better if we have some sort of eyes on you two.” He turns to leave but, for a second, pauses. “I mean it. I still don’t like this Charlie, but I’m going to trust you because you’re right. If anyone can do this, you can.”
He presses the elevator button. “Where will you be during the party?” I ask instead of acknowledging his apology.
“Not far,” he answers. “If something happens, me and everyone else will be there, I promise.” And with that, he steps into the elevator with one last glance at the two of us before the doors close.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Feenix Blaylock
We’ve been driving for at least an hour to the party, and all the while, during our small talk, I’ve caught myself staring at her from the driver’s side. She’s stunning tonight in her black dress and pink heels. She wears a diamond necklace I bought her with earrings to match, and in her lap is her mask.
Not that the mask will help. It won’t. Everyone will know who she is immediately. As an employee, she’s not supposed to wear one anyway, but I plan to bend the rules tonight.
Her appearance isn’t the only reason I stare. She said she loved me, and right now, I can’t say those words back. I’ve never said them to anyone but Megan. Not once in my life. Not my mother, nor past girlfriends. I don’t know how to say those words without feeling like a fool, withoutdropping my guard for a second just to express myself. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why.
I’ll have to find a way eventually though. Charlie is the type of girl who needs those words said back to her. Not right away – she won’t expect it right away, but she will want the same security she’s given me. She’ll want acknowledgment for what we have.
I’ll have to find a way to do it. I’ll have to push through my own walls to give her what she needs. To give me what I need, too.
“This is the place?” she asks as I pull up toward the river.
I stare out the front windshield as we approach our destination. Along the river’s edge, there are rows of expensive boathouses. I’ve only been to this particular area once, back when I was a worker, but I remember the place clearly.
The party will be held both inside and outside of these boathouses. Even though it’s a chilly night, that’s the way it will go down.
“Yes,” I answer honestly as we pull into a parking space. There’s little room left.
“Won’t the party annoy their neighbors?”
I shake my head. “These are vacation boathouses. There’s a reason it’s held in late autumn – none of them are staying in them.”
She unbuckles her seatbelt. “How many boathouses are owned by the people attending this party?”
“A few,” I answer honestly as I unbuckle my own belt.
“Okay,” she breathes out.
She puts her hand on the door handle, and I place a palm on her bare knee. “What’s the rules?”
She touches my hand and curls her fingers aroundmine. “Never leave your side. Only speak when spoken to. Keep the conversation small. Let you do the talking.”
