December
My palms feel clammy as Camden and I step through the double doors of the Grand Shoreline Hotel, the venue where tonight’s alumni banquet is being held. It also happens to be one of the fanciest hotels in Chicago, the grandiose building built for that of a king and situated to overlook Lake Michigan.
“Damn, this place is insane,” Camden murmurs in awe.
The comment draws my attention to him, only to see his neck craned back to look at the ornate, baroque style ceiling. My lips twitch in amusement, and for the briefest second, I manage to forget the stress and anxiety, too focused on his childlike wonder as he takes in the opulent space.
“You haven’t been to the alumni banquet before?”
“Nah, only the seniors on the team usually attend these kinds of things.” He finally pulls his gaze away from the architecture, letting it fall to me instead. “I take it you have, though?”
I shake my head. “I’ve been to the hotel for a couple of weddings, though. I’m pretty sure my parents got married here, actually. Not that I was here for that one, obviously, but I havefor others.”
Jesus. I must be nervous if I’m rambling like an idiot.
Camden shoots me a devious little grin. “Ah, yes. Can’t forget the bougie life of a Reed.”
I grimace at the comment and look away, the reality of why we’re here sneaking back in, and as we make our way toward the ballroom, I find I’m already regretting my decision to come. Camden at my side or not, this is no doubt going to be painful as hell to sit through.
“Hey,” he says gently while giving my shoulder a light nudge with his own. The contact has my attention flicking to him again, only to find concern etched into his features now.
“Yeah?”
“Just smile and hold my hand. It’ll be over before you know it.”
He offers his hand as he speaks, and in return, I give him the best smile I can muster—which I know isn’t much—before sliding my palm into his. It’s warm against mine, the heat flowing from his skin having an oddly grounding effect as we head into the ballroom.
“You know, you forgot to tell me how hot I am in a suit,” he teases while he holds open the doors.
I scan the room for my parents the second we’re inside, muttering a distracted response. “You look good in a suit.”
“Some boyfriend you are,” he laughs, squeezing my palm. “You’re not even looking.”
No, I’m certainly not. That’s in part because I’m busy looking for the table my parents are seated at, but also because I already saw how good he looks in his all-black suit back at the townhouse. And unfortunately for me, he looks more than good. He looks…well, really fucking hot. Especially with his blond hair slicked back with just enough gel to keep it off his forehead, he could’ve come straight from the cover ofVogue.
I slide my gaze back to Camden after finally spotting my parents, and sure enough, he still looks as sinful as he did earlier. Which only serves to make me more anxious.
“You look good. Now, can you please focus before we head over there?”
“Well, you see, Little Reed, mefocusingdefeats the purpose of me trying to distract you instead.”
“What? Why?”
He leans forward, the heat of his breath floating over my jaw when he murmurs, “Because you’re basically squeezing all the blood out of my hand right now.”
A flush fills my cheeks, and I try to drop his hand, but he keeps his hold on me.
“Don’t let go. Just try to relax.” His gaze lingers on my face for a few moments before he whispers, “And by the way? You also look damn good in a suit. Especially when you’re blushing like that.”
“You’re impossible,” I say with a pained laugh.
“Maybe. But it got you to loosen up, didn’t it?” he points out, a hint of teasing in his tone. “Now, c’mon. Let’s go.”
He gently tugs me toward my parents’ table, closing the distance with ease and confidence. Uncle Trevorand Louis are there as well, the two of them chatting with Dad when we approach, while Mom, on the other hand, is out of her seat and pulling me into a hug before I can so much as blink.
“Sweetheart, it’s so great to see you,” she says, squeezing me a little tighter.
Despite the dread coursing through my veins, it feels nice to feel my mother’s familiar embrace. I let myself get lost in it for a few brief moments, hugging her back and whispering, “You too, Mom,” before releasing her.
