Page 48 of The Prom King & The Ice Queen

Savannah

Standing here in the Barons’ballroom, I have never felt more out of place.

And yeah, their ballroom. Leo’s parents have a freakin’ ballroom. Most of the events we do are at his grandparents' place, which is bigger than Leo’s mansion, but it doesn’t have a freakin’ ballroom. And even when I’ve worked party’s at Leo’s house, the princess troupe never came in here. We’re relegated to the finished basement, which is where Isla, Maverick, and Callie are right now.

And God…I so wish I was with them.

Instead, my cheeks are aching as I stand beside Leo, the object of so many stares and so much speculation, I feel like I’m on display at a museum.

Not necessarily in a good way, although Leo’s mom won’t stop smiling at me with so much unbridled glee, it’s making my stomach churn.

“Do you know where you’re going to school next year, Savannah?” her husband asks.

Rich, he told me to call him. He’s more reserved with his smiles, but he too seems pleased as punch that I’m here with Leo.

I have a feeling that pleasure would fade in a heartbeat if he did so much as a cursory look into my background. The only daughter of a deadbeat dad and an alcoholic mom who can’t hold down a job?

Yeah. This warm welcome would fade faster than you can say ‘prenup.’

Which begs the questions, do these people do prenups for high schoolers dating?

If so, they’d make me sign one.

But his mom apparently hasn’t done her due diligence because she’s beaming, even when I say politely, “I’m not sure where I’ll be going to school yet.”

“Oh, you still have time,” she assures me quickly.

I brighten my smile, showing off my dimples. Fun fact, my mom used to make me perform in beauty pageants as a kid to earn my keep. Dimply smiles are second nature.

What I don’t say is, I’m probably not going to school. Maybe community college if I can get a good payment plan or a scholarship. But not full-time, because it’s hard enough to pay the bills without taking off more time.

“You two have fun tonight,” Rich says as a passing couple tries to steal their attention. With a knowing grin, he adds, “But not too much fun.”

“What did you tell them?” I whisper to Leo when he takes my arm and steers me toward the bar. Roman’s working tonight and he gives me a wink as he passes with a tray.

I cling to that wink like a lifeline. It’s pathetic, I know, but that wink reminds me that my family is here. Finn might be out of town, but the rest of them are here. I’ve got support downstairs. I’m not alone.

I mean, obviously I’m not alone. Leo is right here too, but that’s different. He’s been eyeing me oddly ever since I arrived and I can’t tell what he’s thinking.

I’m almost…nervous when I realize he’s leading me away from all the other guests so we can be alone.

Ugh. I so don’t do nervous.

“What do you mean, what did I tell her?” Leo says. “I told my mom the truth.”

I look up, temporarily confused because I’d forgotten that I’d asked. He’d been waiting until we had some semblance of privacy to answer, and we’ve found it, tucked in a corner next to the bar where some ferns give us a makeshift screen from prying eyes.

“What truth?” I ask. This is the first chance we’ve had to speak privately since I arrived. Leo offered to pick me up but…yeah, no. One close call between Leo and my mom was enough.

I’m hoping to get her back into rehab soon, but even then there’s no way I’m inviting him into my home. The whole dang trailer could fit in this ballroom, and the cost of all the furnishings inside could be covered by what they’re paying Roman’s uncle to cater this schmoozefest.

“I told my mom you’re my date.” He sounds grumpy, which is rare, so I glance up and find him scowling at someone.

It’s Roman. He’s tracking Roman’s movements like Roman’s about to steal the silverware.

I nudge Leo’s elbow to call his attention back to me. I don’t need to be the reason one of my friends gets into trouble, and clearly Leo thinks his wink was something it’s not.

“So if you just told her I’m your date, why is she acting like I’m her favorite Christmas present?” I ask.

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