Page 85 of Wicked Prince

It's true, more or less.

The door opens and a maid I don't recognize answers, escorting us into the entryway where she takes our coats. I'm not surprised that Stefan thanks her politely. I'm usually the only one that acknowledges the existence of the staff.

The dinner table is already set when we arrive, and Natalie and Dad are both seated near the end of the table.

She looks up immediately, walking over to give Stefan a crushing hug and a smooch on the cheek that leaves bright pink lipstick behind. She has such a tight hold on him, I'm honestly amazed her silicone airbags don't pop.

"Stefan, sweetheart," she coos, pulling away as if he's a long-lost nephew. "It's so good to see you again. My, you look handsome as ever.”

"You flatter me, Mrs. Carrillo," he says with a faint smile. "You’re lovely, as always."

She bats his arm, like he just propositioned her or something. "Such a charming young man. Tell me, how are you enjoying your stay at Bainbridge?"

"I'm enjoying it quite well," he answers. "So far, everyone's been accommodating, and Amelia is a wonderful tour guide."

Natalie does a double take, as if she completely forgot my existence. I'm sure she wishes she could. It's mutual.

"Oh. How lovely," she says with a stiff smile. I think she actually has a harder time pretending to be civil than Kayleigh does. Then again, for her, it's personal.

I know I do look like the spitting image of my mother, and I'm sure that's upsetting, all things considered.

"I'm glad your trip has been going well," Dad says, suddenly beside us even though I hadn't even noticed him get up from his chair. He offers a hand to Stefan, who takes it and returns the handshake. "So, do you think you will be transferring?"

"As a matter of fact, I do," Stefan says, glancing over at me with a look in his eye I don't know quite what to make of. For some reason, it prompts me to look away, and I feel my cheeks grow warm.

Am I really this pathetic? I want to believe Lorenzo was an isolated mistake, but now here I am, blushing at the first guy who says something nice to me. I really need to get my shit together.

"That's wonderful," Natalie cries, clapping her hands together.

"What is?" Kayleigh asks from the doorway.

Sure enough, she’s standing there clinging to Lorenzo's arm. She's wearing a Barbie-pink tube dress that leaves nothing to the imagination, but I'm willing to bet Dad isn't going to bitch at her about it.

Certainly not in front of company.

Lorenzo's eyes meet mine, and I can tell from the death glare he immediately turns on Stefan that he's less than thrilled we arrived together.

Oh fucking well.

"Stefan has just decided he's going to transfer to Bainbridge," Dad answers, giving me what seems like an approving look, even though I'm not willing to get my hopes up.

And I am a little annoyed it's only because he thinks I had something to do with Stefan deciding to stay.

I can't be entirely sure myself. I feel like a complete narcissist for even entertaining the idea, but I can't get his words from earlier out of my head.

Or Lorenzo's, for that matter.

"That's great," Kayleigh says brightly. I can see the wheels turning in her eyes as she tries to calculate her odds of having both of them in some kind of reverse harem.

"I'd say this calls for a toast," Dad remarks, taking a glass of wine the new butler offers him from a tray. I've come to realize that the job of the household servants is not only to attend to the needs of the family, but to anticipate them as well.

Everyone else takes a glass, but when he comes around to offer one to me, I shake my head slightly. "No thanks. I'll just have water."

"It's fine," Dad says in an uncharacteristically jovial tone. "Tonight's a special occasion."

I gulp. Everyone is staring at me, so I know I waited too long to reply.

Shit. What the hell am I supposed to do now?

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