“Rafe tells me everything.”
I turn to face her fully. “What did he ask you to do at the parade?”
She lifts her chin.
I’ve never been Lainey’s biggest fan. But not for one second do I blame her for what happened to Twig. I didn’t yesterday, before I knew who Rafe really was. And I certainly don’t now. “He made you hurt Twig, didn’t he?”
“He didn’tmakeme do anything.” Her eyes are glowing, almost fevered. “I don’t know what you have against him, Selah, but he loves me.”
“Twig broke his arm,” I shoot back. “He ended up in the hospital.”
It could have been so much worse.
But Lainey only glares, likeI’mthe enemy. “He told me you would do this.”
“Do what?”
“Try to turn me against him.” She twirls a strand of dark, silky hair, gazing down at the object of her affection. Raphael Vandenberg. A harbinger of evil. A wicked shadow. A beautiful lie who has snared Lainey Sikes in his web.
“What does he want you to do tonight?” I ask her.
“Wouldn’t you like to know.” With a coy smile, she shoots me a wink. Then she turns and nearly runs into Becca Lynn at the top of the stairs, waiting to be announced.
Lainey’s never been mean before. Absurdly dramatic and overly emotional, always. But nevercruel. And yet, she looks Becca Lynn up and down, a peacock next to a sparrow, and says in a sickly sweet voice, “You’re so lucky you don’t care what people think, Becca. To show up in a dress like that on a night like this is just … so brave of you. Admirable, even.”
Becca Lynn’s face falls. I can see it behind her mask.
Miss Applewhite calls her name.
She stumbles over the second step.
Lainey laughs, loud enough for Becca to hear.
I turn and glare at her.
She shrugs demurely, then she grins a grin so reminiscent of Rafe, my hands curl into fists.
“I hope you don’t mess up the dance, Selah. Having missed the dress rehearsal and all.”
Before I can offer a retort, Miss Applewhite’s assistant sweeps in with her clipboard in hand and earpiece in place, telling me to stand straight, shoulders back. I’m next.
I come to the edge of the stairs. I set one hand on the railing, the other over my stomach as Jude’s eyes find mine and lock into place with an intensity that makes me forget all about Lainey Sikes.
“Miss Selah Whitlock,” Miss Applewhite announces, “escorted by Mr. Jude Vandenberg of the Vandenberg Family.”
I walk down the stairs to the sound of gentle applause. I don’t trip. I don’t stumble. I don’t take my eyes off of Jude. And I don’t breathe until I reach him. He offers his arm. With my hand safelytucked in the crook of his elbow, we descend the rest of the way together.
At the bottom, I’m forced to walk past theotherVandenberg, his blue eyes gleaming behind a serpentine mask. His predatory gaze follows me as I walk with Jude onto the dance floor.
Lainey’s name is called.
The ruby amulet resting in the dip of her clavicle catches the light and the muscles in Jude’s arm tighten.
Lainey and Rafe join us on the floor, the last of the founding couples. The guests gather to watch the opening dance. The stringed quartet begins to play a light and lyrical melody.
With my heart still racing, I curtsey.
Jude bows.
