“Isn’t it for kids?” I ask. Could it be that bad?
She nods stiffly. “Okay, don’t make me feel bad. The cause is good, but this turns into a weird social escapade. Like highschool. I don’t like people. I likemypeople. Most of these girls are nice, but the ones who aren’t make me want to claw my eyes out.”
I swallow, my eyes widening by the second. I try to recall who is on the naughty list, and only Morgan comes to mind. I need to study these people in more detail before the next event. I listen to Penny, taking it all in, and I prepare for a war I’m not equipped to partake in.
“Morgan is going to try and get all the details of your personal life. Do not give them to her,” she warns, voice low. “If she doesn’t get what she wants, she’ll send Emma in there in hopes that you’ll let your guard down. Once they know something, everyone does.”
“Stop making her so nervous,” Declan hisses, appearing out of nowhere. His hazel eyes scan my face, concerned. “It’s not that bad, Lucky. There are only two bad apples.”
Her eyes are still burning into my face. “Two very bad, very rotten, poisonous, disgusting apples.”
“Fuck this,” I mutter. I don’t ask, I just reach forward, grab her straw, and suck back the rest of her drink. She nods in encouragement, eyes still locked on me like she’s seen some shit before and doesn’t want me to endure it sober.
“It’s really not that bad,” Declan promises me. “Just steer clear of them and?—”
“Penelope! Arden!”
I squeak, whirling around. Penny curses at her empty drink and doesn’t bother to plaster a smile on her face. I’m pretty sure she tells her ice cubes to ‘fuck off’ under her breath, though.
“Morgan,” she says tightly when Morgan forces her into a small hug.
Morgan’s dark eyes flicker to me. “That’s a nice dress, Arden. Verysimple.”
I stare at her, refusing to look down to gauge my outfit. I will not show a girl like this any form of insecurity, even if she’s trying to create some in me. Carter said I’m the most beautiful woman here and I’m going to believe that for the next two minutes.
I smile, gesturing to her puffy sleeves. “Thanks. Yours is cute, too. Very Cressida Cowper.”
Penny turns her head to hide her smile, attempting to suffocate the laugh that is lodged in her throat.
Morgan’s eyes pinch a bit. It was a backhanded compliment, and I think she knows that, but she cannot pinpoint the reference to be certain.
“We try to make statements when we’re out at these events,” she says with a little shrug. Emma hesitates beside her, shifting awkwardly in her baby blue dress that is elegant and quite pretty on her.
“Ah, well, a face this pretty is a statement in itself.” Lips find my head, a hand finds my back, and a glass of red wine is being shoved into my grip. Thank god. Carter stands beside me, protective and secure. I exhale a breath. “I took one look at her in this dress and we almost didn’t make it here.”
I catch Penny’s eyes with a knowing smile, and she flashes me a wink in return. I’m glad she’s in on the ruse; it alleviates some of the pressure. We have an inside joke. It somehow makes me feel more like I belong here. With them.
“Right,” Morgan says with a stiff nod. She glances at Emma with the ghost of a mocking smile on her mouth. “We were about to go grab a drink if you ladies want to join.”
Penny rips Declan’s bottle of beer out of his hand and takes a big swig, wincing at the taste. “We’re all topped up! See you in a bit.”
Declan runs his hand over his mouth, smiling behind his palm. The second that Morgan and Emma slither away, I passmy glass to a grimacing Penny, who takes a big gulp to wash down the beer, still cringing with her entire body.
“I’ll get you another Long Island,” Declan says immediately, heading back toward the bar.
“Those women are the she-devils,” I hiss, whirling on Carter. “You should have warned me about them!”
“I don’tknowmuch about them,” he says, lifting his hands in defence. “That’s Penny’s area of expertise. I just say hello and goodbye when they’re around.”
“Lucky little shit,” Penny mutters. “I find it very hard to put up with people I don’t like. It physicallypains me. Do you know how difficult this has been on my own? Those girls are monsters.”
Carter and I both look at her, and what seemed a bit amusing just moments ago is now setting alarm bells off in my head. I study her shaking hands and her squirrely eyes. This is more than just a little joke. She truly appears to be losing her mind.
“Whydoyou put up with them?”
Her eyes meet mine. “Because this is Dec’s career. Plastering a smile on my face and pretending to be nice is the least I can do.”
Carter glances at me. “Since we are what we are, you have permission to be a bitch if you want.”
