“Yes, and texted.”
“Ok, thanks for finding me, Donovan. That entrance will surely be the talk of the event,” she said, laughing as she made her way towards the door.
I paused, watching her for a second before my brain caught up with me. “Wait, where are you going?”
“To call my friend.”
I followed her out but got stopped by Evelyn, who had come over to wait by the party room doors. “Donovan,” she pleaded, “I can’t believe you’re not going to even give me a second glance.”
“Evelyn. There is nothing here; there never was. I agreed to go out with you so my mother would get off my back. Our first date was a dud, and my mother planned our second. Not to mention the way you were going to work with my mother to fuck me over. Literally. No fucking thank you. Not then, not now, not ever. No amount of history with our mothers or trips to the Empire State Building or zoo when we were five is going to change this. Lose my number, my face, and my name. Don’t ever so much as look my way again.”
She stood there with her mouth agape, and I looked around to realize that we had an audience. Hell, we had had anaudience for at least the last thirty minutes. I hated that kind of attention.
By the time I got downstairs again, Juliette was gone. For fuck’s sake. How did two women get away from me in that short of a time? And I was kicking myself for not having Juliette’s number. I could call Maeve, but that would be entering a rabbit hole I wasn’t willing to go down quite yet. Getting back in the car, I had Miles head back to my apartment. As I stared out the window, I hoped to see her, but when I didn’t, I called my sister.
“Any luck?” I crossed my fingers.
“No, I haven’t seen her. And I would never forget the dress she had on.”
“I know. She was stunning. I can’t believe I am fucking this up so spectacularly.”
McKenna’s voice got quiet. “It’s my fault. I’m so sorry, Donovan. I put the pressure on you to come initially and then pushed again, even when I knew that Evelyn would be there. I guess I kind of forgot how terrible things were for you. They’re horrible to both of us, but they’re even worse to you. It was selfish of me.”
My bristle lessened. “It’s not your fault, Kenna. I should have bailed after ten minutes of sitting down. It was clear which way that was going.”
God, our parents sucked. There was a pause, and I heard a sniffle, like the kind of one you’d try to contain while crying.
“McKenna, are you crying right now? It’s okay, this is on me. Are you at least with Colton right now?” Colton was McKenna’s driver and Miles’ brother. The four of us had a special relationship.
“It’s not okay,” she whispered. “If I messed this up for you, I won’t forgive myself. Van, I haven’t seen you smile like thatsince we were kids. Audra is,” she paused, deciding on her next words, “exactly who I pictured you with.”
Just then, my phone vibrated. “Hold on … I have a text,” I put the phone on speaker. “It’s Juliette. She said,I located Audra, she’s okay. I got your number from Maeve. Audra doesn’t know I’m texting you, but I wanted to let you know she’s with me and safe. She’ll text you when she’s ready.”
The first weight was lifted off my shoulders. Not that I didn’t think Audra couldn’t handle herself. She was more than capable, obviously. I was just relieved she was with someone.
Donovan
Thank you so much for finding her and getting ahold of me. Please let me know what I can do.
I wanted to say ‘please let me talk to her and explain myself,’ but refrained.
She replied with a thumbs up, and I took the first deep breath I had since we walked over to my parents’ fucking table. I poured myself a scotch from the car bar and sipped it as I watched the city go by. When would I be back here? How could I be between my parents and the paparazzi? As we pulled up to my apartment, I took my last sip.
Maybe I should just sell the damn thing.
45
AUDRA
Ididn’t fight Donovan on the ride because it just didn’t feel worth it. Soon after, I got the text that Miles was there. Giving Juliette the biggest hug before we exited, I was beyond thankful for my friend.
“I’m not sure where tonight would have put me, but thank you for coming for me. And sitting with me to sort out my feelings. And asking hard questions. Juliette, I’m so lucky to have you in my corner.”
She hugged me back. “I love you, Audra. If things take a bad turn, just come back here. You can stay the night, and we’ll figure out how to get you home when the sun comes up. I’ll fit you in my luggage or something.”
“Thank you, Jules,” I waved and headed down to Miles. He was standing at the curb, waiting with the door open.
“Miss King,” he dipped his chin.
