“Not only is it a great night for King Properties, but for the King family as well.”
That piques my interest. What in the world is going on? My eyes track Kade, still serving everyone with a smile.
Just like him.
“I am pleased to announce the engagement of our daughter to Paul Leith.”
“What?” Dread fills my stomach as my gaze snaps to my father’s.
“Get over there,” Mom hisses out of the corner of her mouth. “Don’t be rude.”
“What is going on?” I ask, not budging. “Engagement?”
“We’ve been looking forward to Paul joining our family as our future son-in-law.”
Glasses shatter in the back of the ballroom. Kade’s eyes are on mine, fire blazing.
“Kade.”
I try to go to him, but a hand stops me. I don’t know how long the two of us stay locked like this. Pain is etching itself into my cells at the sheer heartbreak on his face. My lip quivers as the room blurs. I blink and Kade is gone.
“Presley. You have to stay here. This is no way to handle your engagement.”
I rip my arm from hers. “That would imply I knew I was getting engaged tonight.”
Lifting the hem of my dress, I bolt from the ballroom. It’s not busy at the valet stand, with only a few people lingering.
“Kade!” I call out. “Kade!”
No matter which way I turn, he isn’t there. How could he have gotten out of here so fast?
Tears are streaking down my face. I kick off my heels and run down the sidewalk. There is no sign of him.
“Kade!”
What the hell is going on? Kade is gone and I’mengagedto Paul? When the night started, my biggest concern was getting out of here as fast as I could so Kade and I could go to the bonfire.
In one short speech, everything has changed.
“Kade.”
It’s a plea. A cry to will him to find me. My heart is breaking. Where is the man I love?
“Presley Ann King.” Mom’s voice is furious. “You need to get inside right now and stop embarrassing me and your father.”
“What did you do?”
“What we needed to.”
“Needed to?” I wipe an angry tear from my face. “Why?”
“You were going to throw your life away on that man. We couldn’t let you do that.”
It’s like a slap to the face. “I wasn’t throwing my life away.”
“Not anymore.” Mom grabs my wrist. “Get inside now, clean yourself up, and act like a happy woman who is engaged.”
I’m going to be sick.
