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She gives the group a reluctant shrug and waves to everyone one more time before I sweep her away to the double doors of the Buckeye Ballroom.
“You’re really good at bodyguarding,” she says for only me to hear. “Do you need a job?”
“You don’t need to pay me to guard your body.” My eyes rake over her hair, graceful neck, and plunging neckline. This time, I allow myself to stare brazenly and enjoy the flush of pink that starts at her sternum and creeps up to her ears.
Serenity blows out a breath and rests a steadying hand on the door. “I think I need a drink. With ice.”
She takes my offered hand, and I give her one last hopeful look as I open the door.
“The ‘blink twice’ offer applies to parties, too.”
“Thank you,” she says with a grateful smile.
All eyes are on Serenity as we enter the ballroom. I’ve never felt like I’m in the presence of royalty until now. Not even the gaggle of fans prepared me for the sight and sound of two hundred people turning all at once to stare at me and the person who holds my hand.
It’s odd and unnerving and makes me eager to sweep her off to somewhere private. These are not her fans. These are her old classmates. These are her former bullies.
Serenity’s hand sweats in mine, and I lead her away to the line at the crowded bar.
“Okay?” I ask.
“Good. Perfect,” Serenity says, nodding bravely.
ChapterEight
Serenity
At first, I don’t recognize anyone.
Then the woman in line at the bar turns and gasps in the fakest surprise expression I’ve ever seen.
“Oh my lord, it’s you? Nobody thought you’d come!”
I run through my mental rolodex. She’s familiar, but I don’t recall her name. All I register is blonde hair, blue eyes, fake tan, and a choker necklace.
I play along because it’s the polite thing to do. “Of course, I’m here! How are you?”
“Well, I’m not cheering anymore, obviously, haha! But I’m coaching the cheer squad. Working full time as a nurse. Married Duane, he’s now the police chief…”
Pieces fall into place. It’s Anna, the cheer squad captain and chief bully. She and Duane were together in high school, and they ruled the school together.
Of course! Cian mentioned seeing them at the game last night. How could I forget so quickly?
“That’s wonderful. Do you enjoy nursing?“
She doesn’t seem to take my question as sincere. “Well, it’s one of those jobs that could take you anywhere. Anywhere you go, they need nurses. And I can do it for as long as I’m physically able. It’s not a job that depends on looks, you know.” She ends this with a wink; I already feel where this is going.
I try to be polite and interested. “That’s true; I bet you have the stories from all the places that nursing takes you.”
Anna drains her glass. “Well, actually, Duane and I decided to stay right here. There’s no better place to get back to the community that took care of you.”
Hm.
I can feel Cian’s hand tense in mine. I give him a squeeze to let him know I’m all right. This doesn’t bother me in the least.
I continue to play along. “That’s so great.” I look down at her empty glass and decide to change the subject. “What are you drinking? I can’t decide what to order.”
Anna says, “It’s a cash bar, so I’m not drinking anything fancy. Just vodka tonic.”
