Page 43 of Violet

“QB posted about you and Asher. All of Stitch won’t stop talking about you two. Want to see?” Rue thrusts the phone to my face.

I lean back a little to read the small print under the Queen Bee’s symbol of a bee with a crown. “Oh, God.”And it’s double oh god when I see it. “She called my dress vintage…”

“That’s just the QB keeping it real. The dress was retro, but you sizzled! Asher couldn’t take his eyes off you. Did you notice?”

“I-I didn’t.” And that spotlight’s hot, even in my room. “But his name’s really Stephan.”

“I like Asher better. More… flashy. But Trixi is my all-time favorite star. I wish the Monarch would let pop concerts play here, or Mom would let me go to the mainland. She sells out every show, but maybe Asher can get me tickets. When you mate him…”

Rue keeps rattling on, but I tune her out.

A line of Alphas interested in me, wanting to take me out? I shudder.

But it’s the only way I’m going to be able to find someone nice, someone with money who can help boost the family. Getting mated during my first Season would be the best-case scenario—most girls take three. It would mean clearer, better paths for my sisters, too.

I have to think about them first.

I can’t be too picky.

Rue’s stopped talking, and she poses and takes a selfie.

“Are you coming for the walk?” I ask.

Nodding, Rue jumps up. “You bet. Being seen after the ball’ssoooimportant. Especially for the Luxe.”

“This is…”Horrible.“A lot.”

“No, it isn’t. You’ve just got to play it cool. Not seem desperate. Don’t jump at the first date invitation you get. Maybe wait until the next event. Oh, and you can’t be all over Asher?—”

“Stephan.”

“—there. Mix it up, mingle. And then you can start rejecting and accepting. And I can help! It’s gonna be fun. Come on, Vi! We need to go.” Rue stops, draws a breath, and then plunges back in. “We’ll bring Mari, she’s a natural at drawing attention while seeming not to be doing that. You’re perfect at making everyone at ease. And I’ll do the talking. It’s the perfect team. Let’s go!”

It’s a nice day, the perfect amount of warmth and breeze. Mari wants to go to the lake and draw. Rue wants to window shop, so we do both.

Mid-morning is spent in and out of shops, from the latest teen designer shop full of rip-offs, to an old-school arcade hall we have to drag Rue out of.

But what we don’t do is join the town square crowd that’s gathered to watch an oncoming parade. The buildings are old and beautiful, with residences above them and bars, restaurants, and exclusive shops on the ground level. We could have blended in if we wanted. Instead, we head out to the parks.

Mari takes us to an empty section of beach that’s cool and shaded and partly hidden under the boardwalk.

As we settle, we eat lunch—some sandwiches Rue made—and sink our toes into the wet sand. She doesn’t stop her bouncy conversation, even when Mari starts to draw in her sketchbook. Finally, Rue’s so engrossed in some show she’s watching on her phone that she stops talking.

I look over at Mari. There really isn’t anyone here. Itisn’t a spot to be admired and seen in, and I wish the whole Season was a metaphor for this spot. But it’s not. The Season is the town square parade on steroids.

“Hey, I’m going to stretch my legs, go up to the boardwalk.”

“Go. I’ll join you in a bit. I want to get this seagull.” She nods at the bird that’s just sitting in the sand, feet tucked in and eyes closed.

I like the darker quiet of the ocean and the worn wood of the boardwalk, but my mind is on one thing and I see it in the distance.

The boathouse.

It’s stupid to think Stephan would be there again, at this exact moment. But the possibility of seeing him again has me drifting toward it.

Someone’s there, and my heart starts to go wild.

Oak is redolent on the breeze.

---