Page 127 of The Glittering Edge

Every surface is covered with white fabric that reflects pastel lights, turning the entire house into a beautiful fever dream. Floral arrangements of lilacs, irises, hydrangeas, and daisies hang from the high ceilings of the foyer, their long green tendrils draped over banisters and reaching across tables. Music comes from every corner, and actual waitstaff are walking around with trays of champagne flutes and hors d’oeuvres. There’s even a sign made of flowers, and it saysTHANK YOU FOR SUPPORTINGYOUTHLITERACYINTERNATIONAL!

“Is this real?” Naomi whispers.

Penny shakes her head. “I honestly don’t know.”

The crowd moves around them, and Penny and Naomi somehow get ushered into a greeting line. Suddenly, Penny’s staring into the face of James Barrion.

Mr. Barrion is tall and undeniably handsome, with the same chiseled jaw as Corey. He’s dressed in an all-white suit, his blond hair gelled back. The woman standing next to him is in a pleated white slip dress, her long dark hair falling in soft waves over her shoulders.

When they see Penny, their faces go blank. Did Corey not tell them that she was going to be here? She scrambles for something to say, but James recovers first. His expression smooths into a smile, and he holds out a hand. “It’s Penny, isn’t it? James Barrion. I’m Corey’s dad.”

“Hi, Mr. Barrion.” Penny shakes his hand; his grip is firm and practiced, and he doesn’t break eye contact. “This is my friend Naomi Salazar. She also goes to Idlewood Central.”

“Naomi, hi. Lovely to meet you.”

The woman next to James steps forward. “I’m Sofía Barrion.”

“Our heroic organizer,” James adds.

She laughs. “It might sound bad, but I won’t be sad when this is over.”

“It looks stunning,” Penny says.

“That’s very sweet.” Her smile fades, and she lowers her voice as she adds, “I was so sorry to hear about your mom.”

“Thank you.” Penny’s heart races. James doesn’t react to Sofía’s apology; he’s already greeting the next guest.

“Truly,” Sofía says, and she reaches out and grabs Penny’s hand. “I know what it’s like to lose someone so close to you. There are no words to mask that pain.”

Penny feels her smile fall away. “We haven’t lost her yet.”

Sofía gasps and drops Penny’s hand. “Of course. I’m sorry, I don’t know what I—I’m sorry.”

Penny remembers the article about Sofía’s husband who died in a plane crash. She’s about to tell Sofía that it’s okay, to thank her for her kindness, but the greeting line is already pushing them along.

“Wow,” Naomi says. “She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

“Isn’t she the one who was a big pop star in South America?”

“Oh my god, yes. I get to check ‘meet a famous person’ off my gala bucket list.” Naomi opens her notes app and scrolls through a very long to-do list, but half a second later, she’s distracted by a passing tray of champagne flutes. “Yes please,” she says, grabbing two glasses and handing one to Penny. “Let’s drink up as much of the Barrions’ money as we can.”

Penny smiles, the knot of tension in her chest easing. “Deal. Salud!”

“Salud,” Naomi says, clinking her glass against Penny’s. But before she takes a drink, she grabs Penny’s wrist, and her expression turns stony.

“You promise you’ll tell me everything tomorrow?”

Penny nods once, firmly. “I promise.”

“Good.” Then Naomi downs the entire flute in one gulp. Penny can only get two sips down before she starts coughing.

“Bubbles!” she wheezes, and Naomi laughs.

If they thought the inside of Meredith House was surreal, that doesn’t compare to the backyard. Behind the house is a sprawling, manicured wonderland of flowers, fountains, and statues. Golden lamps light the steps from the brick patio down to the ground level, where grass unfurls like a carpet, winding through the garden to a massive in-ground pool shaped like an infinity symbol. It’s lit from below, and the bright blue water glows in the night. A few people are already swimming, sparkling drinks in hand. A DJ with a purple bob and paint-splattered floor-length jacket plays music from the gazebo, bobbing her head to the beat.

Naomi and Penny wander for what feels like hours, downing more champagne, taking selfies with a few particularly weird art installations (including a life-sized Stevie Nicks made entirely of LEGO bricks), and dipping their feet in the pool. Penny texts Corey, but he doesn’t respond, and soon Penny forgets to check her phone.

When a familiar pop song blares over the speakers, Naomi gasps and drags Penny toward the dance floor. “Come on! I want to dance.”

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