Page 20 of Finding Us

We make it a quickie, then he shaves while I fix my hair which, of course, got messed up. Harper did my hair for me, straightening it and pulling part of it back in a clip so it’s away from my face. The hair clip came undone during the sex and now I can’t get it back to the way it was before. I give up and just click it in place.

When Garret comes out of the bathroom he’s wearing his tux and looks so damn good it makes me want to do it again. But we don’t have time. It’s a few minutes after 6 and we need to get downstairs.

Harper and Sean are already down there. Sean had to rent a tux since he doesn’t own one. The tux doesn’t really fit him right. Plus it looks kind of shabby since it’s probably been worn by lots of different guys at weddings and proms. I feel bad for him. I know how it feels to be the only person wearing cheap clothes that don’t fit right. That was me for most of last year until Harper starting giving me clothes.

“You look really nice, Sean,” I tell him. Even if the tux isn’t that great, he does look nice all dressed up.

“Thanks. I haven’t worn a tux since prom so it’s been a while.” Sean’s 22 so it’s been at least four years since he wore one.

Garret nudges him. “Get used to it because you’ll be wearing one again in a few weeks.”

“Maybe next time they’ll give me one that fits right.” He pulls on his coat sleeves, which are at least an inch too short. “I’d hate to ruin your wedding photos looking like this.”

“You look great,” Harper says, coming up behind him and wrapping her arm around his. “You always do.”

He turns around and kisses her. “So do you. You look gorgeous tonight.”

“Thanks.” Harper has on a hot pink, body-fitting dress with tiny straps at the top. Her blond hair is usually straight but for tonight she used one of her many hair tools to create soft waves.

The doorbell rings and a woman dressed like a maid goes to answer it. I look around and notice several servers coming out of the kitchen carrying trays of drinks and appetizers. Some of the furniture has been cleared out and replaced by tables of food and a bar complete with a bartender.

People start filing into the room and I immediately recognize some of them. I don’t know their names, but I’ve seen them in TV shows and movies. They walk past me and I find myself staring.

“Jade.” Harper’s standing next to me, whispering. “Try not to stare. They don’t like it when you do that.”

“Oh, sorry. It’s just weird seeing these people right next to me.”

“You’ll get used to it. These are the C-list celebrities. The A-list celebs will arrive later. They like to be fashionably late.”

The four of us have some appetizers as more people arrive. I try not to stare, but some of these people are really famous so it’s hard not to. Plus, they’re all so good looking. It’s not very often you see this many good-looking people together in one place. I glance at Garret and notice how he fits right in. I don’t know if he can act, but he definitely has the looks of a leading man. The other women keep checking him out, which I find annoying but then again, he’s super hot so it’s not that surprising.

Around 8, the top celebs start strolling in like they own the place. The first to arrive is an actor who stars in a lot of action films that Frank and Ryan like. Then another action film star arrives. They each bring an entourage of people with them. It’s so ridiculous. I just want to laugh.

They look smaller in real life. Both men are only an inch or two taller than me. It’s strange how much taller they look in the movies.

Three popular female actresses arrive a little later. Two of them star in romantic comedies and the other one is in some spy movies I’ve seen. They, too, look smaller in real life. And they’re all super skinny.

The celebrities capture so much of my attention that I don’t even notice the other people there until the party starts winding down and people begin to leave.

“Hello, Garret.” I turn to see a man with his hand on Garret’s shoulder. I remember seeing him at Garret’s house last fall for the fundraiser for Royce Sinclair. “Is your father here tonight?”

“He couldn’t make it,” Garret says, his shoulder stiffening as the guy’s hand remains on it.

“That’s too bad,” the man says. “I didn’t realize you knew Kiefer well enough to attend one of his parties.”

“I’m friends with his daughter,” Garret says, looking over at Harper. She and Sean went to get a dessert from one of the servers.

“I see. He does have beautiful daughters, doesn’t he?” The guy glances at me, then back at Garret.

Another man appears and stands right in front of Garret. “I didn’t expect to see you here tonight, Garret.”

“He’s friends with Kiefer’s daughter,” the other guy says, his eyes still on Garret. “I’m assuming you mean Harper. She attends Moorhurst with you, isn’t that correct?”

“Yes.” Garret tries to move but the guy keeps a firm grip on him.

“I’ll let you get back to your evening. Tell your father hello for me.” He gives a tight squeeze to Garret’s shoulder before walking off. The other man follows him and they both look back at Garret.

They join a group of men gathered by the temporary bar set up in the back of the room. I remember seeing all of them at Garret’s house the night of the fundraiser. They all knew Royce Sinclair, or at least gave money to his campaign. How did I not notice them earlier? And what are they doing here?

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