AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Sure, sounds good.”
She’s lying. She isn’t good, and neither are we, but we will be. I just need to get us back on track and wash the madness of this night away. I nod and leave her sitting on her bed as I walk back to the party. Maybe we need a little space for a few weeks first, though.
The rest of the weekend is torture, but I put on a good front and join in with the festivities to celebrate Norrie and Harrison’s nuptials. Yet when I’m asked where Amelia is, I can’t bring myself to say she had a date so I tell them she had a job interview.
Things will be fine, I convince myself of that even as I check my phone over and over again and note the absence of text messages.
“Oh, Amelia sent a text to say she’s back and safe.”
Norrie smiles and I grind my teeth. Clearly, I’ve fucked up and I don’t know how to fix it.
2: Amelia
TWO MONTHS LATER
“Here.”
Audrey shoves a glass of champagne into my hand and then stands back to survey me with a whistle.
“You look hot. Like smoking hot.”
I smile at her enthusiasm about my costume. “Why, thank you. You look pretty amazing yourself.”
I take a big sip of the champagne and close my eyes as the bubbles fizz on my tongue. When I open them again, I glance around the ballroom that is decked out like a dream scape. Lottie has hardly been in charge of the Love Books charity for a minute and she’s already pulled this massive event together. A Heroes and Villains ball is inspired and holding it here at Club Ruin is even better.
With all five owners involved in the charity, the cost of the venue is essentially free. Harrison arranged for it to be closed to the general public tonight. This is a ticket-only event and the price is high, but the cause is special and worth every penny.
“You really do look gorgeous, Melly.”
I look down at the green and white ombre gown with a tulle skirt and corset-style bodice and smile.
“Although I still think Jasmine would have been sexy as hell, I have to admit you’re rocking this. If we can’t get you laid tonight then all the men in this room need to hand over their memberships to the top floor.”
The top floor is closed tonight but it’s a members-only sex club and the only reason I know that is because Audrey got me a membership. I’ve never used it. I haven’t had the guts, but I am intrigued. I shake away my thoughts and concentrate on Audrey.
“My hair has too much red in it for me to pull off Jasmine.” I wave the thought away, because I never even considered not being Tinkerbell, and isn’t that telling.
“You look beautiful too, but then when don’t you.”
Audrey links her arm through mine as we make our way around the dance floor which is set up for the charity auction later on tonight. Waiters in tight black trousers and either ruffled white shirts or corsets move through the room, offering champagne and canapes.
Audrey looks down at the yellow gown she’s wearing and shrugs her delicate shoulders. “I always liked the idea of taming the beast.”
I laugh as Norrie and Lottie rush toward us. Lottie has been a nervous wreck about this for weeks so I snag a glass from a passing waiter and thrust it into her hands. “You look like you need this.”
Lottie takes it and knocks back the entire glass like it’s a shot of tequila and I have to roll my lips not to laugh at her.
“Knock it off, Lottie. You’re going to be on your ass in a minute if you keep that up.”
Lottie slowly blinks and sighs. “I needed that.”
Lottie is dressed as Cinderella in a pale blue gown, which is cut in such a way that it skims her body, hinting at what is below. I know for a fact that Linc will be dragging her into the nearest storage room the first chance he gets.
Audrey raises her brow, but she’s hardly any better. “Norrie is right, slow down.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t help it. I’m freaking out. One of my auction lots pulled out and I need to find someone to replace them.”
Her eye falls on me and I see the predatory gleam and begin to back away, shaking my head and waving my hand at her. “No way.”
