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Mom loves it, though. She took so many pictures that I was embarrassed, all teary-eyed because I never got to go to prom. It would have been a nice moment if Dad hadn’t ruined it by asking why I didn’t have a date. Maybe I should have asked Tina since KC is bringing Carpenter, but I didn’t think about it until just now.
“There’s a rumor going ’round that Ronin is making some kind of announcement tonight.” My sister stops before a pair of double doors thrown open to reveal an ornately decorated space within. From this vantage point, I can see giant glowing ice sculptures and a lit-up tree that’s gotta be at least twenty feet tall. There’s violinists, too, and caterers running around with trays of champagne. Jeez.
Declan appears out of nowhere, deep red tie matching Paige’s evening gown, and he sweeps her into his arms before kissing her lips. “Well, don’t you look ravishing, my dear.”
She giggles and I gag, which earns me a laugh as he reaches out to bump my fist.
“You look great, too, Shilo. Love the bow tie.”
“Thanks,” I mumble, shuffling awkwardly on my feet. It’s purple, like my hair. And my nails.
Paige links an arm with each of us, putting herself in the middle as she strides into the ballroom on six-inch heels. “Come on, boys, let’s get this show on the road. I need some rum cake.”
Round tables draped in dark blue cloths fill one side of the room, accompanied by a bar and walls lined with food. Overhead, the largest chandelier I’ve ever seen glitters, its ropes of crystal cascading like frozen snowflakes. My eyes find KC immediately—he’s impossible to miss in a bright pink tuxedo. Where did he even find something like that, anyway? Carpenter stands next to him, sporting a matching tie and an irritated expression, arms crossed. They both wave when they spot me.
“Gonna go see my friends,” I whisper to Paige, ignoring the relieved smile on her face as I take off. She and Mom have been ecstatic that I’ve been getting out of the house, but I wish they wouldn’t be so obvious about it.
“God, you look sexy.” KC kisses my cheek, which I wipe off. “And you even match with Ry. Did you both plan that?”
Frowning, I sweep my gaze across the room in search of Ryann. “Huh? No, have you seen him?”
“Like five minutes ago with his date.”
Date? My heart plummets to the floor.
It’s been seven days since I fell asleep in his bed, and I haven’t heard from him since. The morning after we had sex, I’d woken up practically on top of him, and we’d humped each other while making out. He ended up pushing my head down to come in my mouth before forcing me to eat breakfast and then drove me back to my car. It was stupid because, despite myself, I’d been hoping he would text me afterward, but he didn’t. I wasn’t even surprised. Kind of expected it.
But a date?
My stomach roils.
Carpenter snags a glass of champagne from a nearby server, flagging down another one carrying a tray of hors d’oeuvres. “Your guys’ job is awesome. Where do I apply?”
“That’s the fifth crab cake you’ve stuffed your face with since we got here,” KC protests in disgust, and his roommate grins with a full mouth.
“Yeah, cuz they’re delicious. You should try the cheese balls.”
Rolling his eyes dramatically, KC turns to me. “I wasn’t even going to bring him. Why did I bring him, Shilo?”
“Because you love me,” Carpenter grunts, zeroing in on the dessert table.
The two of them bicker back and forth while I morph into a wallflower, leaning back to watch the party unfold. Everyone’s laughing, drinking, merry and bright, but I feel…alone. Outcast. They all have their special person tonight, but I’m personless. Not for the first time, I wonder why I have difficulty connecting with people. Wishing my brain wasn’t broken. Wishing I was normal.
“Here, try this.” Carpenter’s fingers shove something sweet into my mouth, ruining my wallowing, and I glare at him as I chew on the sticky substance.
“W’th hell?”
He wiggles his brows. “Good, right? It’s butter mochi. Now try this one.”
As soon as I swallow, he pries my mouth open again with some kind of cherry chocolate truffle, placing it on my tongue. The explosion of flavor causes an involuntary moan to leave my throat.
And, of course, Ryann chooses that exact moment to make his presence known as his familiar scent fills my nostrils.
“Evening.”
My eyes snap up to where he’s gazing down at me with a raised brow, looking suave as hell in a tux that probably cost a few thousand dollars. KC smirks at me, and that’s when I realize that Carpenter’s fingers are still in my mouth. Panicking, I do the only thing my anxious brain can think of.
I bite down.
