Page 93 of Underground Prince

“I love you, too,” she said as her lower lip collapsed.

We fell into another hug, arms wrapped around each other, certain feelings escaping that weren’t supposed to, and a desperate longing for my friend to always be there. But it was those small moments, where the tautness of resolve ripped away and emotions gushed free.

“We’re driveling,” Verily said as she pulled away. “We’re not supposed to drivel in couture.”

I pressed the heels of my hands to my cheeks. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Vare—”

“No.” She X’d her fingers in front of me. “I cannot turn you into a princess with red eyes. And if we continue down this road, we’ll be in our pajamas and sharing a carton of ice cream in five seconds.”

I nodded, still wiping my face. “I’m ready.”

She pulled me into her room, clearing her throat along the way. Forty minutes later, she had my hair swept back in a low ponytail, with kohl-lined eyes and a hint of rose-blush color on my lips and cheeks. It was all I needed, she said, and I admitted she was right as I peered into her mirror, though I felt exposed in some way, my face fairly nude and vulnerable.

“I promise you, he won’t expect this,” she said as she dabbed translucent powder on my forehead and nose. “You’ll floor him. And you have to text me the exact moment and send me a picture of him lying there.”

I grinned.

She held my shoulders, meeting my eyes in the reflection. “You’re all set, my pretty. Go have fun at the ball.”

“Vare…” I said. “I know I’ve been distant and somewhat unreachable, but—”

“Somewhat?”

“Okay, completely. But you need to know, I appreciate all you’ve done to keep me from losing it, and no matter what happens…”

She wrapped her arms around my shoulders. “I know,” she said through a sad smile.

“What I’m trying to say is, with…with things of the past…” Her smile faltered, but she still held onto me, her eyes searching mine. “What I mean is,” I tried again, wondering if maybe I’d be crossing the line. And worse, what sort of repercussions would follow. “With Noah…”

Her hands slipped from my shoulders.

A knock sounded at the door.

“That must be Kai.” I avoided her eyes as I headed out of her room.

“Scar—”

“Later,” I said, pretending not to notice the look of devastation across her face. “I promise. We’ll talk about everything later.”

“Kai. Hey,” I said as I flung the door open.

“Wowza,” he said as soon as he saw me.

I smiled, hesitant, my words to Verily still drifting through my mind. “Come in.”

He lifted a hand once he spotted Verily, who was still hovering in her bedroom. Kai was dressed in a gorgeously tailored black suit, topped off with a bow tie at his collar.

“Have fun,” Verily said in a weak, tight voice.

“Yes, I’m sure the Gordon W. Saxon Foundation will be ever so thankful for the gobs of money Scarlet and I will throw at them,” Kai said. “I’m sorry I couldn’t scrounge up more tickets. What are you up to tonight?”

Kai had a friendly way about him, curious about everyone’s goings-on no matter who he came across, and his question to Verily was no different. But Verily stiffened, her eyes pinballing from Kai’s to mine, before she said, “Uh. Plans. Just stuff. Hanging with the regular crew.”

Noah, I figured. She was going to be with him tonight.

My chest tightened, but I remembered what I was going to say to her, how I planned—hoped—to react to the news once they finally pepped themselves up enough to admit it to me. Outwardly, I said, “You have a good time, too. Maybe I’ll see you later tonight.”

She nodded, a jerky up-and-down motion. “Sure. See you guys.”

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