“Challenge accepted,” she crows.
What the hell am I in for now?!
I head up to the bar to order another drink and Kathryn appears by my side.
“I’m sorry that dinner was here. If I’d known sooner, I would have made sure to go elsewhere,” I say as the bartender greets us. Kathryn orders her drink and a round of shots for the table, then I order. Once the bartender is busy she turns to face me.
“Don’t be sorry. I have made peace with what happened. I’m grateful for the opportunity that you’ve given me to make a life for myself. I don’t know if I would have even tried to forgive myself if it wasn’t for you know what. That day was confronting, but I realised I’m actually okay.”
“I’m happy to hear that, now let’s get back to the insanity.”
I take my drink and Kathryn grabs the tray, Bex and Adrianne yell ‘shots’ at the same time and then shout ‘jinx’ which has them both laughing. Everyone is having a good time. Sawyer sidles up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist and rests his chin on my shoulder.
“Did you think the first time that we met that we would end up here?”
I snort. “No, all I wanted to do was seduce you as part of my plan to get sent home.”
“And how did that work out for you?”
“It was fine, until my teacher flew all the way to Australia to drag me back again for round two.”
“I was also your future stepbrother at that time.”
“Seems to me that everything worked out just perfect, though I am open to being your stepsister and pupil again for just one night.”
“I’m sure that can be arranged. But inmykitchen this time.” We both laugh. I don’t know if that’s a memory either of us will forget in a hurry.
We both stand back for a bit and watch our friends and family laughing and having a good time. I’m going to miss my dad, Chelsea and Smalls when they have to go home, but at least I have Aadi and Bex for a bit longer while we get them on their feet with Order stuff. With the way they keep looking at each other, they will either kill each other or admit to their feelings before they leave here…only time will tell.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Amelie
Graduation day is finally here and I’m eager to get it over with. All this fuss over a piece of paper – one that I’m never going to need. Crazy, if you ask me. The only upside is the fact that my entire family is here to celebrate with me, even though dinner last night would have been enough for me.
Elsie tries to add another bobby pin to hold my hair back, and I swipe her away.
“Stop fussing, it will be fine,” I snap. I shouldn’t be so irritated at her but the guys have been acting weird this morning. They have been MIA every time I try to call them and I get a feeling they are keeping something from me. I know I’m probably being irrational and it’s just one of Kalen’s outlandish surprises, like Momo and the fair, but I can’t help but worry. At every turn there has just beensomethingthe last couple of months.
“It will not be fine when your cap falls off as you walk across the stage, now hold still.”
She forces my head to the side so she can shove the pin in, and it feels like she’s pushing it into my skull. What a weird way to go, death by bobby pin.
“There, done. Now you can rush off to find the guys. I know you’ve been itching to find them all bloody morning.”
“Thank you, I just want to make sure Kalen has clothes on under his gown. Everyone doesn’t need to see that.”
Elsie laughs as the door to her room opens.
“Um, boss? Kalen was running around the grounds in a gown when it blew up, your grandmother caught a glance of his white ass. It was funny but?—”
“I’m coming now.”
“Let’s go, I have to see this,” Adrianne crows with a damn smirk. She lives for him messing up.
“I don’t think so, missy! You get your ass in this chair, today has to be perfect, and I will not have you looking like that.”
They start to argue about how Adrianne looks, but of course, Elsie wins. Adrianne reluctantly sits down and tells me to film the good parts. I shake my head at her and leave the room.
