I once more hooked my arm through Daisy’s, except this time, I could feel myself tremble against her side. “Well, I’d hate to bore you further.”Get distance, my thoughts screamed.D-I-S-T-A-N-C-E. “Have a good rest of your evening.”
“Oh,” Beck said before I could get more than a step away, “I will.”
I wasn’t sure if he’d meant it like a threat. It sounded like one.
Tugging on Daisy’s arm, I dragged her toward the ballroom.
Alderton-Du Ponte’s main event hall truly was something from a dream, with marblefloors that reflected the light from the crystal chandelier above. The ceilings were mostly made out of glass, which served as a beautiful canvas for the sunset. It blazed now through the glass, since night hadn’t quite taken over yet, giving everyone beneath it a golden glow.
I barely took it in. My heart was pounding too hard.
“Are you okay?” Daisy whispered as soon as we put enough people between us and the door. “I saw him earlier, but I didn’t hear his name, and I?—”
“It’s fine, Daisy.” My shoe felt stiff from where Beck’s drink had dried into the material, pinching my toes. “Really. It’s a total nonissue.”
N-O-N-I-S-S-U-E. I held my chin high, trying to show her how unaffected I was, because only then would she let the topic go. And when she let the topic go, my nerves would calm down. And when my nerves calmed down, I could glide up to Dr. Pembleton with ease.
“I can’t believe they’d let him back on the property after nearly burning the country club down,” Daisy muttered, shaking her head.
Jamie, behind us, immediately said, “He didn’t nearly burn down the building. Just the serenity garden.”
“Oh,justan entire garden!” Daisy rolled her eyes. “These people hold grudges over spilling wine on a rug. What kind of money did Ms. Jennings bribe the board with?”
I couldn’t help but wonder the same, and there were other questions on my mind. Why was Beck herenow, tonight, at Senior Night? Did Ms. Jennings force him tocome? Where was he comingfrom? When he’d left town four years ago, it’d been because Mr. Jennings—Ms. Jennings’s brother—moved across the country and took Beck with him. Had Beck been with his dad the whole time? Had he moved in with his mother, who’d relocated to Florida? Had Beck gone to college? Fallen in love?
Question after question filled my mind, almost in rapid-fire desperation.
Questions I should not want to know the answers to, all about a boy I should not have ever spoken to again.
F-O-C-U-S.
We weren’t near that stage yet for Senior Night. Dinner hadn’t been served, but it would be soon. The catering staff wheeled out their trays, preparing.
“Do you see Lydia?” Daisy asked in a hushed voice, looking around. “She was dancing with Carter when I came out.”
Carter. The Pembletons. Freaking Mr. ASMR. I had no idea how I’d face any of them now, not with my insides and confidence so violently shaken.B-E-C-K-H-A-M J-E-N-N-I-N-G-S.“I—I don’t see her.”
“Do you think Mr. ASMR seesyou?”
I had the sudden urge to flee back to the bathroom. “Daisy.” I swallowed hard. “Can you get me a glass of water?”
She must’ve seen the pale look on my face, because she immediately nodded. “On it.” With that, she scampered off toward the buffet table, leaving Jamie and me alone.
It didn’t take long for my brother to pry. “Did Beck spill his drink on you on purpose?”
My lips parted on their own accord, a small gasp pulling in through my teeth. Even just his name caused my stomach to flutter with unease. Was he still in the hallway? Did he come back in? What had he been leaving the ballroom for in the first place?
P-U-R-P-O-S-E. It was too easy a word. I powered through it too quickly, still unsettled. “Does it matter?”M-A-T-T-E-R.
Jamie’s eyes searched mine, knowing without even having to ask. “Inconsequential,” he offered.
My throat was tight. “I-N-C-O-N-S-E-Q-U-E-N-T-I-A-L.” And then I whispered, “Did you know?”
“That he’d be here? No. Of course not. I would’ve told you. And I’d bet money Ms. Jennings didn’t tell Mom, either.” Jamie shifted his book between his hands. “I can’t believe he’d come back here, honestly. Not after… everything.” He gave me a knowing look.
My throat clamped shut, and I dropped my gaze down to my heels. Splotches of Beck’s drink had dried onto the material.Eleanor Brighton. I almost didn’t recognize you. I’d hoped you’d be uglier.
I could hear far more clearly what it implied.You’re beautiful. He’d said it with a curl to his voice, though, as if the fact hadn’t pleased him.
