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My mom cleared her throat. She glanced at Gage first, then turned toward me. “I can’t make it, honey. I’m sorry.”
What? “Why?” I asked, suspicious of the look she sent Gage.
“I have to meet up with Mifflin. It’s an emergency.” She pulled out her phone and glanced at the time. “Damn. I’m already late. I’ve got to go.” She pulled me in for another hug, squeezing me hard before she backed away. “I love you, Letty. Enjoy tonight. Okay? I’ll be in touch later.”
“Okay,” I managed to reply before she rushed off. I swore I saw her dash away, tears from underneath her eyes. I didn’t get a chance to ask what kind of emergency could have pulled her from my side at my graduation.
“That was weird.”
Ava was right. “Very strange,” I agreed.
“I’ll be taking Cynthia’s place for dinner,” Gage announced.
He didn’t ask—typical Gage Blade.
Ava shrugged. “Fine by me.” She shot me a look. “You okay with it?”
I sighed. “I don’t think I have much of a choice. He’s going to stalk us if we don’t bring him along.”
A dark chuckle followed. “So, beautyandbrains, huh, Beautiful?”
Ava snorted. “Let’s get our stuff. I want to store this cap and gown and fix my hair.”
“There’s nothing wrong with your hair, babe. You look gorgeous as always,” I replied.
“This is why I love you.” Ava reached for my hand and tugged me away from Gage.
He followed behind us as we walked toward the school and entered. I couldn’t help feeling he acted like a bodyguard. He seemed on alert. When I glanced his way, he kept looking up and down the hall, standing guard at the door of the classroom where I left my stuff with Ava’s.
I grew uneasy and concerned when he blocked anyone else from coming inside.
Ava flipped him off and pulled a giant mirror from her purse, applying makeup and hairspray.
I removed my cap and gown and placed them inside a bag along with the tassel and the diploma, then shoved it inside the backpack I brought with me. I had a change of clothes inside because I was crashing at Ava’s tonight. We didn’t know how late we’d be out or how many parties we’d attend. All the essentials were inside.
Gage approached me as I smoothed the fabric of my black dress. Two of his fingers grasped my chin and tilted it until I stared into those dark, golden-flecked orbs. “I know you have questions. I’m not ignoring you. Have some patience. Eat. Have fun. And later, we’ll talk.”
“You promise?”
“Yeah, Beautiful. I promise.”
I tried not to think of the other promise he made the night our parents married.
His gaze flicked to my mouth and back up, heating as he leaned forward, pinning me against a desk. “I didn’t forget.”
“Forget what?”
“Everyfuckingthing,”he emphasized.
God. Why was that so fucking hot?
I almost whimpered.
“Yeah, you still want me,” he whispered as his voice dropped an octave, digging like grit underneath my skin.
Well, shit. I lost this battle before it began.
CHAPTER TWO
