AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Scarlet
Months of planning.
Hours of decorating.
And it all comes down to this. One night. Four hours.
It amazes me that it takes so long to plan an event that will be over in the blink of an eye.
Drinks will be flowing. People will laugh and dance. Memories will be made.
Most of all, we’ll raise money for the children’s hospital.
Tonight is going to be perfect.
That’s all I can focus on as I slip into my dress. Curl my hair. Apply my makeup.
Nothing could possibly ruin this evening, right?
Wrong.
So very wrong.
When Colt said he wanted to get a limo, I assumed it was for the two of us. Then I found out he’d invited Kane to ride with us. What Colt didn’t realize is that I’d invited Cleo, so she didn’t feel left out. And somehow, Max and Gia are riding with us as well.
Not that I mind sharing with my bestie. I’m just worried about Cleo and Max being in the same vehicle even if it’s just for a short ride.
I’d feel more confident if Kane and Cleo were going together but he refused to ask her to the gala. I tried, for weeks, and he denied me every time.
Which is why you could have cut the tension with a knife as we rode in silence. You’d think we were headed to a funeral instead of a party.
Things could have gone awry when we walked into the room and noticed that there was no music playing, only the soft murmurs of hushed conversations. Cleo and I shared a look before rushing to the DJ booth to assess the situation. They were already working to fix the issue and within minutes, we had music.
Everyone is having a good time, mingling, chatting. Drinks are flowing, and laughter mixes with the soft melodies we selected.
Cleo introduces me to her new bosses, Emerson and Ryder Dixon of Dixon Advertising. They’re the largest ad agency in the city, and Cleo was lucky enough to score an internship there this semester with a chance at securing a position at the end of the semester.
Emerson is a vision in her floor-length white gown as she rubs her swollen belly. Her personality reminds me a lot of Cleo when she’s in her element. You can tell she’s kind and caring but also head-strong and smart.
Colt has his arms wrapped around me as Ryder steers Emerson toward their table. My body instantly relaxes, melting into him, until he says the words that ruin the rest of my night.
“Your parents just walked in.”
I’m instantly on edge, bracing myself for a major blowout in front of my friends. I don’t plan to back down. Not anymore.
“Where?”
“Talking to Gia at the bar. Kane shot me a text when he realized who they were.”
“Would it be rude of me to leave?”
“Yes.” He tightens his arms around me and kisses the top of my head. “But if that’s what you want to do, I’ll go with you.”
“You can’t leave. One of us has to stay and take credit at the end of the night.”
“Then I guess we’ll go say hello to your parents.”
Colt practically pulls me across the room with my hand in his. My parents have their backs to us as we approach, but when Gia spots me, they turn to follow her line of sight.
