Page 81 of Hard to Fake

His fingers inch toward the apex of my thighs. Desire floods me. Each stroke sends electric shivers down my spine, igniting a fire within me that threatens to consume us both.

The door swings wide. “What the…?”

I force my eyes open.

Caroline’s behind with another couple members of the executive of the sorority.

“What are you doing in here?”

“Thought that was obvious.” Miles’ smile is cocky, his hair deliciously disheveled from my fingers. “This dress has been fucking with my head all night.”

We stay pressed against each other, our ragged breaths mingling in the small space.

Caroline composes herself. “It’s almost time.”

* * *

Most of the weekend is more practical—networking, fundraising, some unstructured social time—but the hour inside the hall at the resort is about remembering our Kappa sisters and the bonds we’ve shared.

Dates aren’t permitted in this part of the agenda. Miles said he was going to explore or possibly hit the gym.

Each of us is given a candle as we filter into the room.

(Flameless, as Caroline lamented a few weeks ago in an email to the organizing committee, but necessary for insurance purposes given the resort is a log structure.)

When I take a seat next to Ruby and a handful of other women from our class, I feel a hit of shame over the way I chased Caroline and Elise out of dinner.

There probably wasn’t any secret plot and it is rejuvenating to see friends I haven’t spent time with in months or years. The summer after junior year, things were tense enough I didn’t enjoy myself.

Maybe I missed out.

Caroline speaks from the front, leading the room in reciting the Kappa pledge.

When we’re finished, she takes a moment to recognize specific sisters for their contributions. It really is impressive.

"As president of our class,” she concludes, “I’m proud to say that each sister from our entire executive is here, and?—”

"Not everyone," I murmur to Ruby.

“What was that?” Caroline leans over the podium.

A hundred heads swivel to where I’m seated in the third row.

“Hannah isn’t here,” I go on at the questioning looks.

Caroline’s smile tightens. “Well…” She’s clearly annoyed at being interrupted. “That hardly counts.”

“Why not? She’s just as much a Kappa as anyone. Just because she’s taking care of her family instead of being a partner or an entrepreneur or…” I search for the words. “… some hotshot doctor.” I turn to Ruby.

“No offence,” I whisper.

“None taken.”

Caroline grips the podium, resetting her smile. “Kappas are breaking glass ceilings everywhere,” she informs me. “Protecting women’s rights to be high achievers.”

“What about women’s rights to do whatever they want? I thought the point was allowing women to choose and not have to pretend.”

I look around at the wary and startled faces in the crowd before going on.

---