Page 186 of Dare To Live

He moves to another rack and looks through the pants. He takes a pair off the rail. “You need this type in whatever size you’re in. Why are you buying an off-the-rack suit, anyway?”

“I don’t wear them often enough to justify paying stupid amounts for bespoke ones.” I match the pair of pants he’s holding to ones that lists my size.

He chuckles. “All our parents would be horrified to hear you say that.”

“Suits aren’t really the ideal clothing for me. I’d just get it covered in paint or clay.”

“What’s Arabella wearing?” He moves through the store, heading toward the shirts.

“I don’t know. Does it matter?”

Jace rolls his eyes. “Of course, it matters. You need to compliment her with your choices. Have you picked out her corsage?”

I blink. “No?”

“Guess it’s a good job I came with you, then.” He stops in front of a row of shirts. “I think you should go with black. It suits your terrifying demeanor.”

“A black corsage?”

“No, a black shirt.” He waves a hand. “One of those. Don’t bother with a tie. She’ll probably end up wanting to strangle you with it. It’s best not to have any weapons close by.”

Chapter 107

Arabella

“Here comes trouble,” Garrett jokes.

I look up at his words just as Linda stops beside the table. Dressed all in black, the sweater she’s wearing swamps her slender figure.

“Linda,” Bret greets her warmly. “What can we do for you?”

“I’m here for Arabella.” She smiles. “You said you’d help with the decorations for the prom tonight. We’re meeting in the ballroom to get started.”

The thought of spending time with her and the other ex-cheerleaders is unsettling. “I thought the school would have arranged all that.”

“Didn’t you listen during the welcome speech? Warren invited us to take part in organizing it.”

“It’s not like you have anything better to do with Eli not being around,” Garrett says.

I throw an apple slice at him. “Why don’t you and Bret come with us?”

Laughing, he catches it before it can hit him in the chest. “I have some things to do before this evening.”

“That seems to be the excuse of every man staying at the academy.”

“None of us were very creative,” Bret points out. “We just showed up and looked pretty.”

“Come on, Arabella.” Linda twists her hands together. “You’d be a big help in making this evening unforgettable for all of us.”

We aren’t eighteen anymore. What harm can come from helping them out? It’s not like Eli wants to do anything together. The fact he’s not here has made that perfectly clear.

“Let me finish my drink, and I’ll come over to help you.”

“Fantastic. I’ll see you there.”

“Let me give you my number.” Garrett pulls out his phone as she walks away. “You can call me if you need to escape or … any other reason.”

I smile. He’s been flirting with me since the run. I’m pretty sure it’s because Eli isn’t with me. Maybe he thinks things won’t work out between us, and he’s in with a shot. I find my phone, open my contacts, and add his number. A quick call to his number, and he has mine saved.

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