My stomach tightened as he met my gaze.
I had a mission tonight that included him, and this was exactly what I needed to have happen, but, ugh, I so did not want to do this. But I forced my lips to curl into a shy smile—as I’d done for the last few weeks while I’d pretended to tolerate his presence.
He canted his head to the side in unspoken invitation, and I nodded.
It meant he wanted to talk, something he’d done twice to me over the last month. However, it’d always been about immaterial shit. Like the weather or class assignments. Such a weird thing for us to discuss after years of endless bickering.
Although, really, most of that bickering had been instigated by Charlie. It sort of left Dash and me without a means of communication. As though we didn’t know how to converse now that we weren’t fighting.
Which both negatively and positively impacted my plan of attack.
He wants to talk, I told Tray as I took a step forward. Tray had purposely left me alone on this side of the room, knowing Dash would take the opportunity to grab my attention. Our entire scheme hinged on the assumption that Dash was attracted to me—something I still didn’t believe. But I’d play along for now and see if I couldn’t find a way to trap him.
I see that,Tray replied softly.If he touches you, I won’t be able to stop myself from intervening.
It took effort not to roll my eyes.I can handle myself.Dash didn’t frighten me so much as repulse me.
Yes, I’m aware, love. It’s me who will have trouble controlling myself in this scenario.
Yet, this was all your idea,I reminded him in a singsong voice.
No, I wanted to kill him. You told me to think of alternatives, and this was a suggestion—one I regret right now.
It’ll be fine,I promised, stopping in front of Dash. “Hi.”
“Hey,” he replied, his trademark cocky air missing from that single word. “Can we, uh, talk somewhere?” His tone and demeanor were a stark contrast to his approach at Homecoming where he demanded a dance.
I nearly frowned. It couldn’t be this easy, could it?I think he’s up to something.
Same,Tray agreed.Be careful.
I left my cuff at home,I thought back at him, smiling inside. Dash would severely regret it if he tried something. “Sure,” I said, giving him a tight smile. “Lead the way.”
He nodded, his posture oddly uneasy.
Yeah, he’s definitely up to something,I decided.
Tray remained quiet, but I felt his protective energy swimming around me in a comforting caress.
Neither of us had seen Ryan yet, which was odd since Dash was her date for the ball. Maybe that was where he led me now—to an ambush orchestrated by her. I wouldn’t be surprised.
But when we came to a stop in a well-lit corridor with no waiting attackers, I frowned. “What are we doing, Dash?” I finally asked, deciding there was no point in drawing this out.
“Talking,” he replied, turning to face me with an expression unlike any I’d ever seen from him. He almost appeared… sad. Contrite, even. He palmed the back of his neck and blew out a breath. “Look. I owe you an apology.” He winced and shook his head. “Several, really.”
“Okay…”I think he’s about to confess something.
Good. The camera is already on,Tray reminded me.
Right.
The one in the tiara on my head. Tray had affixed it to my hair before we left the limo. It had a camera custom-built into one of the prongs. Where he found it, or how it was created, I had no idea. The man possessed a lot of skills that impressed me, this being one of them.
Dash cleared his throat and glanced up at the ceiling. “Fuck, I don’t even know where to start. I didn’t pick up Ryan tonight, despite her edicts to the contrary. She’s going to be livid when she finally gets here, and I’m sure I’ll be bearing the brunt of that anger. So I almost stayed home, but I couldn’t just sit by knowing what’s going to happen tonight. I had to tell you. To warn you.”
Yeah, this wasn’t at all where I expected this conversation to go. “Warn me about what, Dash?” And he left Ryan at home? Wow. I wished I could have been there to see her face when she realized he wasn’t coming.
“I’m sorry, Ella. You have no idea how many times I’ve wanted to say that to you over the years. I was such a dick to you at the Holiday Ball. No excuse in the world can justify my behavior, so I won’t even try. But not a day goes by that I don’t regret my actions.”
