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I dropped the fake smile for my usual resting bitch face and put more focus on figuring out who was whom. I felt knowing who the other big players were was much more beneficial than knowing that Susan and Dave were having their kitchen remodeled.
We were finally given a short break from his floundering fans, and stood off by a table loaded with champagne flutes.
“What do you think so far?” he asked, passing me a glass.
“It’s not that bad.”
“Why do I get the feeling there’s a but in there somewhere?” he teased.
“Oh, there is. This is basically the first circle of hell for me. I feel like I’m playing princess dress up in the middle of a high end fashion show.”
“Don’t you see the way they look at you? You’re perfect, anjo, just by being yourself.”
I mock gasped and placed a hand on my chest.
“Mateo Remmington just said something sweet without a riddle attached to it. This is a day for the history books.”
“Shh,” he leaned in and whispered, “Don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation to uphold.”
I took a sip of my drink and smiled up at him. My heart did some jumps in my chest as we studied one another’s faces.
“Keep smiling like that and I’ll give you the world if you want it.”
“And if I don’t?”
“I’ll give it to you anyway. You deserve it.”
Ugh, that was smooth.
“So I’m not a pawn?”
“No, You’re a queen.” He placed a lingering kiss on my cheek and then made his way towards a small group of men on the other side of the room.
I really hated his goodbyes.
I stood off by myself, content with being the loner until I began to feel people’s stares cutting into me. I felt like I’d been placed right beneath a spotlight. Searching For Mateo, I found Peyton and Melody instead, making their way towards me.
Both were looking as dapper as always. Peyton was in a royal blue tux, and one of his many bow-ties. His dark blonde hair was carefully styled.
Melody was in black like me, with her dark hair hanging down around her face in flawless curls.
“Honey, you look like the new girl on her first day of hi
gh-school who can’t decide which clique to join. Drink this and smile; don’t let these people think you’re intimidated.” Peyton swapped my champagne flute with one he’d been holding, exchanging a look with Melody.
She rolled her eyes, giving me a wide smile and a tight half hug.
“You okay?” she asked.
“I have no idea,” I answered honestly, feeling relieved to have someone to talk to.
I slowly began to fill them in on the sideshow that had become my life with a few particular exceptions, mindful of listening ears.
I took a large sip of my drink when everything was out in the open.
“This is not champagne,” I wheezed, swallowing a cough.
“Of course it’s not champagne,” Peyton scoffed. “And from everything you’ve just told me, one of those isn’t nearly enough.”
