Page 57 of Token

Skepticism and disdain didn’t combine for a pleasant sound. Aidan snickered. “What relationship? Last month you weremygirlfriend. He’s playing you for a fool, Kennedy. Why can’t you get that through your head? That’s what white guys like him do to beautiful Black girls like you. They’ll use you, then toss you aside. Open your eyes.”

It was like facing the onslaught of a storm and being pummeled by one gust of wind after another, each individual raindrop like a pin piercing her flesh. She’d never seen this side of Aidan before. How many times had he told her how beautiful she was? That any man would be lucky to be with her. But clearly, he hadn’t meantanyman, and certainly not a man like Nate; white, wealthy, handsome, and pedigreed. To men of Nate’s ilk, she served only one purpose. Beyond that, they’d have no use for her.

Within her, a meteoric rise of anger swiftly crowded out the pain of his hateful words. Nowshewas seething but did her best to contain it—although the urge to throw her drink in his face was strong. Shooting a quick glance around to make sure no one stood within hearing distance, she leaned toward him and whispered, “He was my first. That’s the kind of relationship we have.”

Aidan’s head jerked back slightly, his eyes widening in the surprise he couldn’t hide. Just as quickly, he narrowed his gaze at her, his lip curled in contempt. “Decided to set your sights higher, huh? Well, the joke’s on you, Ken, because he’ll never marry you.”

Kennedy breathed deeply through her nose, her throat tight, and her heart simultaneously aching and breaking. Shattered expectations had that effect. “You know what, Aidan? Jealousy and spite isn’t a good look onyou. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to my date. Have a lovely evening.”

“See you on your way down,” he managed to get in before she turned and walked away.

Kennedy had no idea where she was going, and tears began to encroach on her waterproof mascara. God willing, it wouldn’t be put to the test.

“Whoa!Where’re you going? I got us some hors d’oeuvres.” Holding a plate in his hand, Nate stepped in front of her, blocking her path to nowhere.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked softly, concern knitting his brow.

“Nothing.” She finished off the rest of her champagne and then plucked a bite-sized flaky pastry from the plate and popped it in her mouth. As she chewed, she discovered inside were cheese and spinach. She took another one.

Nate looked directly into her eyes, his gaze unwavering. “I know you a lot better than you think I do. You’re upset. What did he say to you?”

It was the ominous hardening of his tone that flipped a switch in her, and she found the perfect person to vent all her frustrations on. Therightperson, because he was the cause of it. “What didhesay to upset me?” she practically hissed. “It wasn’t enough that I had no idea he was going to be here tonight, but if I’m upset, it’s because all you did was make a bad situation worse.”

Nate appeared genuinely surprised at the force of the anger directed at him. “What are you talking about? I was only trying to help you. And he was the one who started in on me with—”

“Kennedy!”

This time her name was uttered in a familiar feminine squeal of joy, saving Nate from the verbal neck-wringing she was about to give him. She wanted to tell him not to breathe easy too soon. This was simply a pause in their conversation, not a cessation.

Kennedy quickly slapped a smile on her face when she spotted Sahara approaching as quickly as her high heels and formfitting dress would permit.

“There you are,” her friend exclaimed, flashing a beauteous smile as she shimmied over to Kennedy’s side. “Was I ever glad to see you when I came in.” Embracing Kennedy tightly, she pressed a light kiss to her cheek. “You look gorgeous. That dress on you...Guurrrl, you’re killing it.”

Kennedy couldn’t have been happier to see her. “Look who’s talking,” she said, gesturing at the singer’s sleeveless royal blue dress, the bodice a daring combination of chiffon with royal blue boning, and a skin-toned underlay, giving the illusion of translucency.

It was the sort of dress you’d see on the red carpet. Made to be seen, not touched. For show and not convenience. But it looked great on her, displaying a prominent amount of cleavage and a whole lot of leg.

“Oh, this old thing?” Sahara said coyly, eyelashes fluttering dramatically. “I found this up-and-coming designer in New York—her name’s April Rose, she’s Black, she used to model, is insanely talented, and she’s going to behuge. You may have heard of her husband, Troy Ridgefield?”

Kennedy shook her head. “Nope.”

“Troy Ridgefield?” she coaxed. “He plays for the Giants.” At Kennedy’s blank stare, she flicked her wrist dismissively and continued. “Never mind, then. Just take my word for it—you’re going to love her when you two finally meet. She was supposed to be here tonight, but her son is running a fever, so... Anyway, I told her I wanted something like the scrumptious emerald green Vera Wang dress Zendaya wore to the Emmys a few years ago, and she came up with this.” The singer made a sweeping ta-dagesture with her hands.

“Insanely talentedis right,” Kennedy said approvingly. “She did a great job in giving it a similar look, while not copying it outright.”

“Which is what I love about her. She has a trademark style all her own,” Sahara enthused. Then her gaze shifted to Nate, who stood behind Kennedy like a sentinel.

Kennedy was quick with the introductions. “Oh, Sahara, this is Nate Vaughn, Aurora’s brother.”

Nate smiled and extended his other hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“The computer genius!” Sahara gushed before brushing his hand aside and throwing her arms around his neck. “Any gorgeous brother of Aurora’s is a friend of mine,” she said, flirting shamelessly.

After a quick hug, Nate placed his hand on Kennedy’s lower back, the imprint of each finger searing her bare skin like a branding iron. Sahara followed the proprietary movement, her eyes going wide at the sight.

Her gaze shot to Kennedy’s.You and Aurora’s brother? When did this happen and why didn’t you tell me?

She and Sahara had fallen into a habit of touching base with each other once a month. Her famous friend’s schedule was crazy busy on a good day. Kennedy had planned to tell her about her breakup with Aidan the next time they spoke, but everything going on with Nate kept pushing all thoughts of her ex to the back of her mind. And her relationship with Nate wasn’t something she wanted to explain to Sahara over the phone, much less via text. That kind of conversation required in-person, eye-to-eye contact, and a modicum of privacy.

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