Page 67 of Insatiable Park Avenue Prince

“Kinda have to when you get paid to look good. I guess that’s why you stick to chips and alcohol.” I smiled, sweet as pie, earning me a dark look and a muttered curse.

I took another sip of my matcha and knocked my shoulder against his as we headed down the hall, our next classes not far from each other.

“What’d you decide to wear for the Elysium event tomorrow night?” I said.

“Like we have a choice.”

He was right. We didn’t, really. Tuxedos were the mandate, but since when had Travis played by the rules?

I shrugged. “Just figured you’d do something no one was expecting, that’s all.”

“And have Mom and Dick throw a shit fit? Actually, that’s not a bad idea.”

“There he is,” I said, nudging him with my elbow.

“And you’ll be in… Let me guess. Tom Ford. Or Armani.”

“Brunello Cucinelli, actually. I walked his show last spring.” I paused, coming to a stop in the middle of the hall. “Do you think it’s weird if we match? Like maybe I should do a midnight blue instead.”

“Trust me, nothing you and I wear would ever be remotely the same.” Travis tugged on my elbow, pulling me to the side of the crowded hall to stop blocking traffic.

“What? No, not you.”

“Then who are we talking about?”

“Me and Kelly.”

Travis’s eyebrows slashed forward like he didn’t know who I was talking about, and then his eyes widened. “You mean Sin?”

“I told you, his name’s Kelly.”

A beat passed as he stared at me. “Ho-ly shit. You’re tellin’ me you actually invitedSinto an event at Elysium? Are you out of your fucking mind?”

“What’s so crazy about that?”

“Are you hearing yourself? What’snotinsane about that?”

I shrugged. “I don’t see the problem.”

“Maybe not with all those fuckin’ stars in your eyes, but trust me, bringing a porn star to meet our parents and a bunch of rich assholes? That’s somethingIwould do. Not you.”

His comment chafed, and I didn’t know why. It wasn’t like I was unaware of Kelly’s job, considering I’d joined him more than once. None of the Elysium would know that.

Maybe a few members wouldn’t be too impressed at my date’s career choice, but fuck that. I liked him, I’d invited him, and he was coming.

Toandafter the event,I thought with a smirk.

“I can see I’m getting through to you. Whatever. Do what you will.” Travis rolled his eyes as he brushed by me to head to class.

“Thanks for the pep talk.”

“That’s your job.” Before he disappeared into the room, he turned back to me. “Oh, and Van? No one gives a shit if you’re matching.”

Shaking my head long after he was gone, I thought over what he said, but he was right. I was going to do what I wanted, and what I wanted was Kelly beside me at the event tomorrow. He’d look so damn good in a tux, and he’d be the perfect person to rescue me from any boring conversation I got dragged into. I didn’t need a reason to bring him, for God’s sake. Gavin was bringing his boyfriend. West was bringing JT. Preston and Serena were joined at the hip. Whyshouldn’tI have a date, regardless of what he did for a career?

“Do you plan on dawdling in the hall, or will I have to count you absent this morning?” Professor Rice was one of the more eccentric teachers at Astor, and even without heels, she still stood eye to eye with me. And those eyes were cold and disapproving. She didn’t wait for an answer before marching into the room and down the stairs, and I took that as my cue to find a seat.

I had a feeling I wouldn’t be paying much attention this hour either.

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