Page 80 of The Heiress
And I had no doubt that he would one day.
And my only wish was that I would be there by his side to see him do it.
Chapter 24
Phoenix
Iwas annoyed at myselffor not having an extra racket grip in my bag, forcing me to have to grace the O’Day’s sports boutique. These days I wanted exactly nothing to do with Addison or her family. But I needed a new grip for my coaching session.
Heading straight to the counter, I hoped Mrs. O’Day wouldn’t be around, but she appeared from behind a rack of clothes, her smile only genuine when you were about to spend money in her store.
“Hi there Phoenix. I see you’ve been having coaching with Clay.”
I nodded, presenting my card for payment.
“Guess we’ll be seeing you at the party tomorrow night?” she said cheerily. “It’s going to be a super night.”
I cleared my throat and thanked her, already tearing the grip out of its packaging.
“Addi says you’re dating the new girl? Elisha, is it? She doesn’t play tennis, does she?”
I glared, inwardly fuming, but I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of replying.
“I hope you’ll bring her too.” Mrs. O’Day didn’t seem to notice I was silent. “Addi said she doesn’t have any friends.”
Gah, I was tempted to say Elisha had more friends, moretruefriends than Addison. Addison’s friends were all fake, ruled by fear, but it wasn’t worth my effort to say so. I stuffed the packaging in the side pocket of my tennis bag and turned to leave.
“See you tomorrow night!” Mrs. O’Day called and it was something in her chirpy, phoney tone that made me remember how rude she’d been to Taylor, insinuating that she hadn’t paid her bill for a headband she’d bought.
I stopped abruptly and spun around, summonsing up my most intimidating voice. “Actually, Elisha’s throwing a party for Beth Van der Wal tomorrow night. So, no, I guess we won’t be there.”
Gwyneth O’Day’s eyes widened, then she sniggered in a cruel and condescending way. “Oh, how charming. I’m sure it’ll be super!”
I kicked myself as I walked out. I was stupid to have mentioned Beth’s party. I wasn’t supposed to have said anything about it, but Elisha had been at our place every day this week, asking Mom for help in planning it, I think. The two of them were keeping details to themselves; all I knew is that we were meeting at La Maison. Besides Beth, there would be me, Taylor, Max, Millie and possibly Tennessee, and the Whitney Hall girls. I wouldn’t particularly say I was looking forward to it, but I’d follow Elisha into a desert without a water bottle, if you know what I mean.
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