“It’s not just him,” I sobbed. “It’s everything. It’s too much, and I can’t keep up. Every day, it’s something else, and—”
I felt like I was drowning. I wanted to be organized and do things the proper way, piece by piece, but every time I got one thing done, another three things popped up, pushing me down further.
“Evie!” Sebastian shouted, and I paused, taking a deep breath to steady myself. He sighed deeply and shook his head. “This town is just a lot worse than you or anyone else realizes. The people in power make sure they weave themselves into as many things as they can so they can’t lose. The game is rigged, Evie. We just gotta figure out how to cheat right there with them.”
Sebastian held me until I stopped crying, and when I stepped back and wiped my face, he took my hand and directed me back toward hair and makeup.
“Don’t worry, Final Girl. There will come a payday, and when that day comes, we’re gonna be fucking rich.”
I could only hope.
Chapter 55
Evie
The Benefit Speech
Iadmired myself in the full-length mirror, running my hands down the red gown I’d borrowed for the event. I’d mentioned to Stacey that I was attending, and she’d insisted they bring in a designer for Sebastian and me. The designer had dressed me in a deep, burgundy gown with a sweetheart neckline and white ropes of pearls draping across my breasts, hips, and ribs. The sleeves were black, puffed, and off-the-shoulder. The dress hugged my body and flared at the knees, creating a goth-mermaid look that I was living for.
They’d brought in a professional hair and makeup artist to do the rest, and by the time Sebastian pulled up in a limo, I felt like a true Hollywood movie star. This was how my mother would dress for these things, I recalled as I walked through her house. I sighed, wishing I’d spent more time here. Not as a child, but as an adult. I’d returned, but had I really come back? I spent more time at Sebastian’s than my own house, and I wasn’t sure if I preferred that or wanted to have him come here instead.
Maybe it was time to let go.
Or alternatively, he could move in with me…
The doorbell rang, pulling me from my thoughts. I went to it, welcoming Sebastian inside.
“You’re stunning, Final Girl.” He lifted my hand, kissing the top of it, sending butterflies through my belly. “I have something for you.”
“You do?” I raised an eyebrow, stepping back as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a thin red velvet box.
My heart stopped and restarted at a fierce pace.
He held it up and opened it. I peered inside and gasped as he pulled out a gold necklace. It was a beautiful thin chain with the wordsFinal Girlon a single charm, the words separated by a ruby in-between.
“What do you say? Will you be my Final Girl?”
I laughed, staring at the necklace in disbelief. “I don’t have any movie quotes for this.”
He removed the necklace from its box, and I turned around, lifting my hair so he could clasp it. I admired it in the small mirror by my front door. It was stunning.
“I had it custom made.”
“When?” I asked, turning back to him.
His eyes were distant, pained, but also... something else. “The first day I saw you on set.”
“Really?” I gaped.
He snorted. “No. I did it two weeks ago. Jeez, you’re so easy sometimes.”
“And difficult other times?” I quipped, letting him take my arm and lead me outside to the limousine.
“More than you know,” he muttered. “Come on, Final Girl. Let’s put Arthur in his place.”
I stared out the window, my hand on Sebastian’s as the driver took us to the venue.
“It’s odd they’re doing a red carpet for a charity event,” I commented as the limo got in line to be announced.
