Page 27

“I need to use the restroom.” My cheeks heat.

Eli stands and puts his napkin beside his plate. I raise an eyebrow because I thought we were safe here.

“You don’t go anywhere alone tonight, kitten.”

I turn to look at the others and am met with a wall of stubborn men. My heart melts a little at their protective nature, but I also worry this will continue to be a thing even when the threats all disappear. That I won’t have a life of my own.

It’s weird to think about how I used to be alone all the time. It was okay. I had Mom and Kenz there to support me when I needed someone. But I crept around the school like a ghost, and no one bothered to get to know me better.

How would I have reacted if Tanner had approached me last year? Or even Penny and her friends? I didn’t realize how attention starved I was until the guys entered my life.

Eli’s hand presses on my bare back, grounding me in the here and now as we head to the bathroom. “You seem lost in thought.”

I swallow and look up at him. “A little.”

He nods. “Worried about the dance?”

“I haven’t thought much about it. Dinner was a nice distraction.” I give him a small smile.

When we reach the bathroom, he opens the door. When I start in, he puts his hand up to keep me by the door as he walks in and checks all the stalls. He finishes and walks toward me, taking the door from me.

I arch an eyebrow. “Are you going to watch me pee too?”

He chuckles and tips up my chin. “Not my thing, but if you want me to...”

“Ew, no.” I wrinkle my nose.

He gives me a sweet kiss that’s so unlike him I almost forget where we are. When he lifts his head, he smirks. “I’ll be right out here when you’re finished.”

When he backs away and closes the door, I hurry into a stall. When I’m finished, I come out and wash my hands. I brought my little clutch and make sure my makeup is still good. And eat a mint my mother made sure I had.

I touch my hair and the weapons waiting in it. They’re beautiful but a reminder that things might take a deadly turn. That I might have to fight like my life depends on it.

I step back, and as I approach the door, Eli opens it for me.

He takes my hand and leads me back to the table, pulling out my chair. When I sit, I notice dessert has been delivered. Chocolate cake. The guys haven’t started on it, but they quieted when I walked back into the room.

After Eli pushes me in, he returns to his seat, and I notice the small lavender box with a gold ribbon on it in front of my cake.

I lift my gaze to Luke and then Caden. They both smile at me. Nico and Jack both take my hands and squeeze them.

Eli nods gently at the box. “For you, kitten.”

My heart feels like it’s going to escape my chest.

“But...” It’s not my birthday or another holiday. It’s just Homecoming.

“Open it, princess.” Luke leans forward with his elbows on the table.

When the guys release my hands, I reach for the small box. My ring glints in the dim light. Is this another way to track me?

I tug the ribbon loose and lay it beside my plate before lifting the lid off the box. Inside, on a bed of satin, lies a flower of diamonds the size of the tip of my pinkie on a chain. It’s reminiscent of the flowers on my dress.

“We didn’t want to get you anything too extravagant,” Eli says as Jack stands.

“Speak for yourself,” Caden grumbles. “I wanted to get a full strand of diamonds, but he thought it would be too much.”

Caden shakes his head like the thought is ludicrous. I’m not even asking if these are real diamonds. I’d rather not know.