Page 133 of A Lie so Dangerous and Fragile

“No, and his name is Jacob. Drop it already. I made it clear I don’t wanna talk about it.”

I smiled at how I was getting under her skin.

“When you’re ready to talk about it, I’m here. In the meantime, I need help with my hair. Kayden pulled it.”

“Give me a minute,” she said, rubbing her lips with red lipstick. “So, how is the party?” she asked as she put her lipstick and mascara back in her purse.

“Well, while you were busy fixing your shoe, Bonnie made us play this annoying game with blindfolds.”

“If you try to tease me again, I will wish you acne on your wedding day.”

“Ouch, Vee. That’s evil.” I made a pained face.

“He followed me here. I came to wash my hands. He looked angry, and before I could ask him what he was doing in the ladies’ restroom, he locked the door, and… andstuff happened.”

“Stuff … like?” I pushed for details.

“Chloe,” she groaned.

“Okay, I’ll shut up now.” I laughed.

We left the restroom, laughing, after she was done fixing my hair. Vina left me to search for her date while I looked for Tristan. Kayla was asleep in Tristan’s arms when I found him.

“I think I’m gonna retire for the night,” my mom said from behind me.

“Okay, but you had fun, right?”

“Of course. You take good care of yourself and the kids. Good night.”

She gave me a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek. She walked away, not saying a word to Tristan or acknowledging his presence. She acted like she hadn’t seen him, just as she’d been doing since I’d let her back into my life.

“I’ll get the car ready,” Tristan said before I could say anything.

“Okay, I’ll get Kayden.”

He gave me a quick kiss and left.

Vina’s date stopped me on my way to get Kayden from Nora.

“Hey … um …”

“Jacob,” he said, looking disappointed.

“Jacob, of course. Sorry. I’m not good with names.” I offered him a sheepish smile.

“Have you seen Belle? I have not seen her since she left me on the dance floor to use the restroom.”

Belle? That was his own shortened version of Belvina? Cute.

“Um … she left a while ago. She complained about her head, and I told her to leave. She actually told me to tell you, but I forgot. I’m so sorry. She didn’t want to tell you herself ’cause she felt she was going to ruin the night for you. Sorry.”

Vina owed me big time for this. She had told me she was going to speak to him. Where had she gone?

“I feel like an idiot. I noticed she wasn’t herself. I should have helped her.”

“Don’t worry about it. She’ll be fine. I’ll call her and—”

“She’s not answering her phone,” he cut in.

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