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“It looks beautiful,” Serena said, taking a moment to look around. “You and dad make a great team.”
My eyes cut to the formal greeting line where the head members of the Elysium stood welcoming their guests, and there standing at the front of the line was her father—and the president of the Elysium—Archer Carrington.
The very definition of debonair, Mr. Carrington wore a tuxedo better than any man I knew. His dark blond hair was styled back from his handsome face, showing off his chiseled jaw line, and the smile he aimed at every person he greeted was one full of confidence and charm.
I schooled my features to a friendly, polite mask, knowing we were up next, and as Serena guided us forward, the nerves I’d felt out on the red carpet returned.
“Well, hello there, gorgeous.”
As her father reached for her shoulders and leaned in to kiss her cheek, I stood aside and watched the display of affection with a knot in the pit of my stomach, because I had a secret, one bigger than engagements or babies, one that would cause a scandal unlike any this city had ever seen.
You see, I was in love with a Carrington—just not the one I was dating.
“Hey, Dad. I was just telling Preston what a great team you two make. The place looks amazing.”
Mr. Carrington’s attention shifted to where I stood, and as our eyes locked, my pulse skyrocketed.
“I agree, we do make a great team.” He smiled then, and I struggled to return it. “I couldn’t have done it without him.”
I stepped up beside Serena, reminding myself I had a role to play as I wrapped an arm around her waist.“It was no problem. You know I don’t mind helping out.”
Mr. Carrington chuckled, and the rough rumble vibrated through me as he clapped me on the arm.
“I appreciate that. I know it’s the last place you kids want to be spending your time.”
Now that was a laugh. If he knew how quickly I volunteered to help out with every single event, he might start to wonder what the hell was wrong with me.
He’d never guess, though. The truth was nowhere on his radar.
“Are you kidding?” Serena grinned up at me. “Preston’s always asking if you need help.”
Unless, of course, my girlfriend decided to tell him.
Well, he still wouldn’t guess the truth. Just that I was a lame-ass with no life.
“I figure my parents will volunteer me anyway, so why not just save them the time.”
Mr. Carrington leaned in a little closer to me, and my heart just about stopped. Jesus, did he have to smell so damn good?
“And also to get on their good side?”
Yeah, sure, that sounded plausible. “You know it.”
He nodded and looked down the line to where my parents stood, then turned back to me and smirked. “Your secret’s safe with me. Does that mean I should sign you up for the Winter Ball?”
“Dad.” Serena rolled her eyes. “Come on, he just finished this.”
“It’s okay.” I squeezed her waist, letting her know it really was. Hell, it was more than okay, not that I was going to tell her that. “I’d love to help out.”
“Great. I’ll put it on my calendar and let you know when.”
I nodded and did my best not to smile like a lovesick fool, but seriously, more time with Mr. Carrington? Sign me up.
We finished making our way through the line, and once my parents had fawned enough over Serena, we grabbed a couple of drinks each at the bar and found the table that had been reservedfor “the Park Avenue Princes,” as my group of friends and I were known.
It was the first time we’d gone to an event with other couples, since West had officially started dating JT, the dean of Astor’s son, and Donovan—better known as Van—was currently serving up a distraction by bringing his current interest, Kelly Sinclair, to show off. If any of the members here knew Kelly was actually a porn star that went by the name Sin, it would no doubt cause a massive scene, but both couples were currently keeping the heat off me and Serena, so I settled back in my chair, sipping on a much-needed glass of champagne.
From where I sat, I had a prime view of a certain someone’s table, a detail I’d made sure to arrange when helping with the seating assignments. It was pathetic, really, and I was glad no one else was privy to my inner thoughts, or they’d pity me too. Or think I’d lost my damn mind. Probably both.
