Page 135 of The Ruse

I tossed my napkin on the table. “I can’t watch this anymore.”

I was considering sneaking outside for some fresh air when my phone started vibrating in my jacket pocket.

Thankful for the distraction, I checked to see who was calling. And when I looked at the screen, my heart stumbled to a stop.

The name and photo of someone whom I hadn’t received a call from since last April showed up.

It was Bailee.

40

ELYSE

IsAsher going to come back?

I looked back at the doors where he’d disappeared through thirty minutes ago. He’d been holding his phone, as if taking a call. But was that just a prop to help him pretend he had a reason to leave early?

I’d been watching him all night, and from his frustrated expression, I could tell he wasn’t having the time of his life. But I was hoping that he’d stick around. Dinner was the last part of the night where Ihadto stay by Nash’s side. I wanted to at least dance a few songs with Asher.

But if he never came back, that wouldn’t be happening.

The slow song that had been playing ended, and Nash finished dancing with his mom. He looked around the room as if searching for me. I considered slipping out the back before he could, but he spotted me too quickly and started walking toward me.

“Hey, sorry about that,” he said. “My mom has been talking about dancing with me here ever since they signed Cambrielle up.”

“It’s fine,” I said.

Really.

I had already spent over an hour by his side tonight wishing I was with someone else. I would be fine if he danced with all the other debutantes here if he wanted.

He didn’t know that, of course, since I’d been putting on the performance of a lifetime and making it look like I was just dying on his every word.

But maybe it was time to remind him that I didn’t like him that way.

So I said, “Actually, would you mind stepping out in the lobby with me for a minute so we can chat?”

“Of course,” he said. “I was actually hoping to give you something.”

He was hoping to give me something?

Please don’t be another kiss.

We walked out of the ballroom and found a cushioned bench against one of the walls. My feet were sore from wearing heels all night, so even if I didn’t want to be here with Nash, I was grateful for the chance to rest my feet.

Nash sat down beside me. I was trying to think of a way to bring up our conversation in his library again when he reached into his jacket and pulled out a small box.

The type of small box that usually held jewelry.

What was he doing?

He cleared his throat, his cheeks tinged with pink like he was nervous.

“So, uh, I had planned to give this to you before the ball started tonight,” he said, his blue eyes lifting to mine like he was back to the bashful Nash that I knew. “It’s actually the reason why I was late. You see, when you asked me to be your escort, I thought it would be nice to get you something to show how grateful I was for the opportunity. And well…” He opened the box to reveal a necklace with a simple gold chain and a pendant in the shape of a long-stemmed red rose.

And though I’d been annoyed with Nash all night long, I couldn’t help but gasp at how beautiful this necklace was. I’d never seen anything quite like it.

“That’s for me?” I asked, unable to keep my jaw from hanging open.

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