Page 45 of Mad Rivals
“Fine,” I mutter.
“Have your tux pressed before then, yes?”
How did I come here to confront my father and somehow end up in charge of an entirely new office while also agreeing to attend a charity ball next weekend?
I have no idea, but that’s what he does. He changes the subject. He twists things until we have no choice but to agree.
And so I guess I’m going to a gala next weekend.
CHAPTER 19: Kennedy Van Buren
Nowhere to Run
I don’t want to be here.
I don’t even have Clem with me.
I told her about the kiss with Madden when I got home that night. Eight days later, embarrassment still burns.
She said I misinterpreted his curse. She says he wouldn’t have leaned his forehead to mine if he wanted to get away from me, and I guess her argument has legs.
“You weren’t there.” That was my flat reply. In the moment, it felt like he stopped because he realized what he was doing. And that didn’t make me feel very good.
The past week was busy with work, and I forced it out of my head. Or, I tried to. I can’t exactly forget about the hottest kiss of my life no matter how it ended, and given the fact that I need to communicate with his office fairly regularly since we have this project together, his name crosses my radar more often than it should.
God, why did he have to end it that way?
What a jerk.
He called me. The next day, my phone rang, and when I saw it was him, I was too mortified to answer, so I sent it tovoicemail.
He didn’t try again. I guess we’ll cross paths at some point, and for now, I’m trying to put the whole stupid situation behind me. This was exactly why I knew it was a bad idea to get involved with him all along.
I get out of the car my dad ordered for us, and I make my red-carpet appearance with both my parents. I wish I had someone to bring along as my date, but I don’t.
Instead, I’m here solo, and this gorgeous ballgown is just a total waste. It’s a silky emerald green gown with sequined shoulder straps and a slit that leaves very little to the imagination. I had my hair and makeup done thanks to my mother, who insisted we get the works done ahead of this ball, and I feel like I’m glowing as I force a smile for the cameras along the red carpet.
This is a big event for the city, drawing huge celebrity names as well as local businesspeople that will be important connections for networking.
As I step off the red carpet and turn toward the ballroom, though, I spot him.
Madden Bradley.
He’s standing just outside the ballroom doors.
I don’t know why it never crossed my mind that he might be here tonight. Of course he should be here. It’s a gala for the same community we’re both a part of.
My chest tightens, and I feel like I can’t breathe in this dress for a second.
He hasn’t seen me yet. There’s still time to run.
He’s talking to another man who looks like him, and I wonder if he’s one of the seven Bradley siblings.
An older gentleman and a woman who has the same dark hair as Madden stride over to them, and I gather these are his parents. The older man must be my father’s nemesis, proven true when I see my father stiffen and hiss, “Bradley.”
I blow out a breath. My parents instructed me to network tonight, and I assumed I’d be talking to people who mightbecome future clients. I didn’t brace myself for having to face my competition.
I was already uncomfortable with having to walk into a room full of strangers and try to make friends. But now I have to do it under Madden Bradley’s scrutinizing gaze?
