Page 80 of Forbidden Vows

I slip from the line as they giggle, the redhead thanking the brunette for a gift of a pair of Dior sunglasses, their conversation growing fainter as I move. My heart sinks—no more guest list to be added. There’s no way I’m getting in the front door on my own. I spot an oncoming group of well-dressed men heading in the direction I want to go, to the cross street, and envelop myself in the cologne-saturated bunch.

Plan B. Dipping away from the men, I wait on the corner, my back resting against the brick wall. The only benefit of this ugly outfit is that it has pockets, and I slip my phone from one now. She denied me the favor earlier today when I asked, but it’s worth another shot.

I give my childhood best friend one more pleading phone call. “Tabby, it’s me.”

“I know.” She laughs. “You have your own ringtone on my phone. Remember?”

“Are you sure you can’t ask your dad to get me into Gotcha’s tonight?” I glance at the line of beautiful people reaching around the corner towards me.

“I told you, you’re not even supposed to know he’s a member! I swore to him I wouldn’t tell any friends.” She groans. “I told you not to give me cheap wine. It makes all my secrets come out.”

So true.

“Your dad being a Bachman wasn’t the only secret we learned that night, was it, Tabitha?”

She groans. “I can’t believe you’re still mad about that. It was fifth grade!”

“But you knew Chad Reed had been my crush sincethirdgrade. How could you kiss him behind the bleachers?”

“Take a hint from Elsa, friend. Let it go.”

“Okay, okay. No more Chad Reed talk. No more cheap wine. I promise. But you know I’m brokenhearted over Dame not returning my phone calls. The time we spent together in Rome was so magical?—”

“Of course it was! You were in Rome. Bert and Ernie would look good on a vacation like that.”

“Who?”

“Never mind.” She sighs. “I’m worried about you,” she says. “I’ve never seen you this hung up on a guy before. Except Chad Reed. Which is why I also never told you about that kiss!”

“I forgive you,” I say, “But that kiss confession would smooth over quicker if you could get me into the club tonight.”

“Are you there now? Hang on, I’m putting you on speakerphone. I’m looking up your location. I’m sending you an Uber.”

“That’s not necessary!”

“You stopped sharing your location! A single girl. In the city. Wandering around by yourself, breaking into?—”

“Gotta go! Love you so much. Kisses, and I’ll call you after. Don’t worry!” I hang up before she can stop me. I turn the phone off, slipping it into the dress pocket.

Plan C. I’m sneaking in the back door.

I glide around the corner, following along the wall, and slip behind the building. A giant red monster truck is parked against the back wall, and I crouch behind it to conceal myself. From this vantage point, I can see the large metal door. Dumpsters flank the alley. Even beautiful Bachmans make garbage. Eventually, it will need to be disposed of.When someone comes out, I’ll slip in.

The door opens sooner than I thought, a slender man younger than myself with bushy sideburns heads out the back, a black garbage bag in his hand. With the toe of his shoe, he pushes a lose brick in front of the door to keep it from closing.

Whistling, he takes his time, meandering over to the dumpster with the bag. He hauls it over the top, and it drops in the bin with a satisfying thump.

I can’t believe my luck. He’s slipped his phone from his pocket, using trash duty as an excuse for a quick game on his phone screen. He swipes, congratulating himself on a win.

This is my chance!

Running silently, I dip past the door into what looks like a storage room. The back of the room is dusty and dark—the perfect place to hide out. I sneak to the darkest corner, press my back to the wall and take a moment to catch my breath and slow my heart rate. The sound of the heavy backdoor closing echoes. I freeze, listening as footsteps and whistles grow near, stopping just feet from my hiding spot. I plaster myself to the wall, holding my breath.

He moves on.

When I can breathe again, I quickly take off the hideous costume, tucking it on a shelf for safekeeping. I’ll wait until it's safe to find my way to the club at the front of the building. I can picture it now, the lights shimmering over my dress as I scan the room for Dame.

I take the silence as my time to move. Tiptoeing as I go, I find my way to a better-lit hallway. The faint sound of club music beats, calling me to the floor. I head in the direction of the music, finding a door that has to lead to the club.

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