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“I don’t have an answer to that. But I do know that no one wants casual forever. Maybe she’s been holding out for more, and you’re not going to know that until you’ve talked to her.” Trent pulls his phone out of his pocket and checks the time. “You have a long history and it’s not simple. Right now, she feels like you’re rubbing salt in the wound by parading London around and calling her your girlfriend.”
“I wish I’d realized this before I brought London to this event.”
Trent gives me a sympathetic look. “I didn’t see it either.”
We both blow out a breath and I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I need to find Selene.”
“It’s probably a good idea. London will be fine, the Mills wives will keep an eye on her.”
I leave Trent standing in the middle of the hallway. I’d like to find London first to make sure she’s okay, but before I can do that, I run into Selene. She’s standing at the edge of the room near the balcony.
“Hey, do you have a minute? I think we need to talk.” I incline my head toward the door leading to the balcony behind her.
Her jaw tics, but she turns and sashays to the door, pushing through it. I glance over my shoulder as I follow her outside, but I don’t spot London anywhere in the room. I can only hope that Trent is right and that she’s found the Mills women.
Selene moves to the far side of the balcony, into the shadows. She crosses her arms, her expression is flat. While I’m aware she’s intentionally putting out an angry vibe, I’ve known her far too long not to be able to see the hurt that flashes behind her eyes.
“Where’s your girlfriend?” she hisses in a low whisper.
“With the Mills wives.” At least that’s what I’m hoping.
She scoffs. “Of course. How perfect for her. I can’t believe you have the nerve to bring that woman to this event. Do you have any idea how humiliating this is for me?” Her eyes glint with ire. “Have you heard what people are saying? I understand wanting to help the less fortunate, I really do, but you’re taking this way too far.”
I realize that Trent is more right than I wanted him to be. And that the conversation Selene and I had about staying inside the friendship lines wasn’t received the way I intended. Trent has a point that for a lot of years I stayed where I was comfortable, and I’d thought Selene was fine with the way things were. But based on how upset she is, that’s not the case.
23
THIS ONE MISSING DETAIL
LONDON
I leave the bathroom with my heart in my throat and go in search of Jackson. I stay close to the perimeter of the room, avoiding the guests as best as I can. I spot Cosy, Amalie, and Ruby on the other side of the ballroom, but one of the women who was in the bathroom is with them, so I avert my gaze and continue to search for Jackson in a sea of tuxedo-clad men and women in ball gowns. I push through one of the doors leading to the balcony, suddenly feeling light-headed and overwhelmed.
I truly feel like a version of Cinderella tonight. But not the one who has to leave the party at midnight because the spell my fairy godmother spun for me will come undone. Instead, I feel like I no longer belong. As if I’m somehow stepping on toes without even knowing it.
I gulp several deep breaths of fresh air, trying to clear my head, and step back into the shadows.
I glance around the mostly empty balcony and consider sending Jackson a text feigning illness so I can slip out the back door and head to his place, but I don’t have a key or the entry code.
“Why are you doing this to me?” a woman asks quietly, sounding forlorn.
I don’t want to eavesdrop on someone’s private conversation, so I take a step toward the door, scanning the balcony, hoping that I’ll be able to escape unnoticed. At least until I spot the woman the voice belongs to.
It’s Selene. And she’s not alone. Even in the dim light, I recognize Jackson’s profile, and as a slight breeze picks up, the scent of his cologne wafts in my direction.
Selene’s arms are crossed, and she looks like she’s on the verge of tears. Neither of them notices me as I sink back into the shadows. If I hadn’t overheard that conversation in the bathroom, I would turn around and give them some privacy, but I feel like I’m missing vital pieces of information. I have a feeling I’m about to find out if the things Jackson has glossed over have been intentional or not.
