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“No, youdidn’t.” He straightens and tugs on the lapels of his tuxedo, glancing around as if he’s wondering if anyone noticed him losing his cool for a microsecond. It wouldn’t surprise me if that was his biggest concern right now.
After what he’d just said, I couldn’t fault him for that either.
“I’m sorry, man.” I swipe a hand through my hair. “I’ve been distracted. But if you ever want to talk, I’m—”
Liam’s eyes fix on something behind me. “Yeah, sure. Let’s grab a beer sometime. You can tell me there’s hope, then I can set you straight.” He knocks into my shoulder as he walks past me, fingering the button on his tuxedo. I turn to watch him, frowning at the dark tone in his voice, but then my eyes move past his tall frame to the group of girls heading up the walk toward him.
The first one I see is Ada. But that was a strategically planned move on her part, because she’s walking at least two paces ahead of the other girls. And her dress isn’t white, it’sluminous.
Liam obscures her a moment later, turning to link his arm with hers. Our eyes meet one last time before he passes me, and the bitter resignation in them makes my chest grow tight.
But I don’t have any time to process that before Kat’s laugh draws my attention back to the rest of the girls. She has her arm linked with Evie’s and from the way they’re swaying and giggling, they both look wasted. Itshoulddetract from how gorgeous Evie looks, but it doesn’t.
Sheliterallytakes my breath away and leaves me wheezing for air.
I chose a deep sapphire gown for her. Low, off the shoulder, with a tightly cinched waist. It sets off her curves in a way I could only have imagined. But the crowning glory—literally—is her hair.
She’s wearing it loose, two small, messy braids clasped at the back of her head.
Kat says something that makes Evie throw back her head and laugh, and when she straightens, our eyes lock.
That’s when the sparkle around her neck catches my eye. My heart gives a hard thump as my gaze slides down her throat.
She’s wearing a diamond-encrusted choker set with a sapphire at her throat.
But we both know it’s not a choker. Not really. Those stones hide a strong, supple strip of leather. And hidden behind her hair is a silver loop, the kind you can attach a leash to.
“Hi, Owen!” a voice pipes up beside me.
I swallow, unable to tear my eyes off Evie’s throat. “Hi.”
“So… uh… shall we go inside? It’s pretty cold out here.”
My gaze shifts back to Evie. She’s frowning at me now, her eyes darting to my side. To where the voice is coming from. She walks slower and slower, until she comes to a halt. Kat takes a second to realize they’ve stopped, whirling around with a giggle to face me.
“Yo, whatsup, Dalton!” she crows, giving me the peace sign. Then her eyes move to my side, and she frowns too.
I turn, staring down at Willow. She’s wearing a pale pink dress, her hair up in a tight bun. Her lipstick is bright red, and doesn’t go with anything she’s wearing, but she’s grinning, and there’s a sparkle in her eyes…
Except now it’s fading.
Every second I stare down at her, trying to figure out why I feel this steadily encroaching sense of dread, that light grows dimmer and dimmer.
“Oh, shit.” I lift my hand. “Willow… I…”
She blinks rapidly. “What is it?” But she already knows. Fuck it,everyoneknows.
I turn and give Evie a wide-eyed stare. “I forgot.” I don’t know if I’m speaking to Evie or Willow.
“You… forgot?” Willow’s voice trembles on the point of breaking. “About… me?”
Evie’s face drains of color. There’s a flash of sympathy, but then all I see is disgust. She grabs Kat’s arm and pulls her away.
“That’slow, Dalton, even for you!” Kat calls out before she and Evie disappear inside.
I turn to face Willow, grabbing her arm as she twists away. “Willow, I’m sorry. It totally slipped my mind.”
A tear races down the girl’s cheek when she shakes her head. “It’s okay,” she mumbles through trembling lips. “I sh-should have ch-checked first. M-My fault.”
“No, Willow, this isn’t—”
But she pulls loose and hurries inside, and all I can think about is the expression on Evie’s face.
I rush after her, shouldering my way through the press of people waiting to enter the main tent. My eyes work feverishly, scanning for Evie’s white or Kat’s blue hair, finding neither.
My foot crunches on something lying on the floor and instinct tells me to stop and see what it is.
When I bend down and pick up Evie’s sapphire collar, my blood runs cold. Turns to stone.
