Page 46 of Come Here and Kiss Me

I’m left alone in an otherwise quiet hall with a simple side table and intricate mirror hanging above it.

As I wait for him at the side of the restroom, a familiar group of friends slash frenemies sees me. I’m quick to smile and wave as if there isn’t a thing wrong. As if I don’t know they’ve been talking about me behind my back.

Fake hugs go all around, and I half wonder if any are genuine.

Our entire group from way back when surrounds me—Christoff, Jasper, Asher, Ivye, and Chloe.And as always, Christoff has more than just a black card burning a hole in his pocket. There’s cocaine there too. I’m taken back to a few years ago as he easily and covertly brings a quick bump up to his nose and passes it onto Ivye, who then offers it to me.

I shake my head. “I’m good.” I’ve done my fair share of extracurriculars in the past, but there’s no way in hell I’m doing anything tonight with them. Cocaine—and more aptly, Christoff—has gotten me into more trouble than it’s worth.

“Oh,” Jasper mocks, although he doesn’t take a hit either. “Has the big bad B become a good girl now that she’s engaged to an almost tenured professor?”

“Hardly. My father is here.”

“That’s never stopped you before,” Ivye chimes in. “If anything, it’s always provoked you to do more.”She dusts under her nose, then glances in the mirror. They’re the only two who partake, and they don’t push any further. Christoff does note that it’s our loss, though, and Asher laughs, focusing his attention back on his phone.

Everyone is dressed to the nines. All the guys are wearing tuxes while the girls are dressed in ball gowns. The whole event is filled with people dressed like they’re ready to spend a shit ton of money.

“Just don’t feel like it tonight. Thanks, though,” I tell them and end the discussion. I glance over my shoulder to see if Ronan is coming, but he’s nowhere to be seen.

“Congrats, by the way,” Ivy says. “You two look good together.”

I thank her, but I’m talked over.

“Took me by surprise. Didn’t know you were into older men,” Jasper jokes, and I offer him a laugh.

It’s odd between us. But we've drifted apart for the last couple of years, so I’m not surprised. But I also notice them watching me, like they’re trying to figure out what I’m up to, and I hope they can’t see. I hate this. I hate all of it, but I play along with the small talk and listen to the gossip. A server passes by, and Jasper grabs a round of drinks for all of us.

I gratefully accept the glass as if it’s a peace offering.

“Where’s Aspen?” Ivy asks me, and oh, how I wish she was here.

“Is she coming tonight?” Christoff questions.

I shake my head. “She had a previous engagement.”

“Engaged like you?” Ivy quirks, and again, I laugh. The back area begins to fill, and once again, I search for Ronan, but instead, I find someone else. Someone I’m shocked to see.

Chloe follows my gaze, and her hand lands on my elbow. “Did you know she’d be here?” she asks with obvious concern. Suddenly, we don’t feel as if we drifted as much as I thought we had.

“No,” I answer in a single breath.

“Want me to go with you?” Chloe offers, and I know she has to realize exactly what I’m feeling right now. I give her a small smile and tell her I’ll be all right, but I’ll send a distress signal if things go bad. Of everyone in the group, Chloe has had my back more than once. But I have to remind myself that she didn’t message me. She knew and stayed away. Not only that but any one of these people could have set Ronan and I up. Instantly, my guard goes up again.

I don’t trust anyone.

“I’m going to go see her,” I tell Chloe, and as I stride away, Ivy calls out for me not to be a stranger.

I can’t respond, though, because I’m too absorbed by the woman in the long pale blue dress. She has always loved that color. It brings out her eyes, which widen when she sees me as if she wasn’t fully aware I’d be here.

“Since when did you get back?” I ask my mother, who stands in the back of a small group of women. Almost like she’s trying to hide from I don’t know what but probably her ex-husband.Although why would she come tothisevent if she was hiding from him?

The laughter and chatter dim as I stand in front of my mom, and the other women go about their own business.

She ignores my question and offers me a stiff smile.

“You look stunning, Brooklyn, but red has always been your color.”

I haven’t spoken to her much since they divorced, and at times, it feels like she divorced me too.Shock led me over here, but now all I feel is regret.

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