Page 31 of The Right Guy
I hadn’t seen him since the uneventful night at the bar. He cut all contact with me. Zero texts. To make matters worse, during my last shift of the week, I’d heard the staff discussing the details of his party. One girl promised to burst out of a cake wearing only coconut shells and a grass skirt. He’d love that, the horny pig, yet the thought of him enjoying it boiled my blood.
Theo laid all his cards on the table and obliterated my heart with the truth. It was obvious he was avoiding me. He even changed my shifts, so we wouldn’t have to work together. I wasn’t in the mood to wear a dress or plaster a fake smile on my face.
“Ada, you look so moody.” Kim twirled around, and the flouncy satin of her bright yellow knee-length dress puffed out. “I hope you won’t be like this all night?”
I scowled at her. “He’s leaving, Kim. His ‘fucking off’ party is tonight, and I’m attending a crappy ball, in a pea-green dress and a stupid updo.”
“Why didn’t you tell the stylist you hate it?” She sighed, losing her patience after my week-long huff. “I think you look absolutely gorgeous. It’s nice to see you wearing something other than jeans. Who would have known you’d scrub up like a princess?” Kim trotted closer, the material making a weird scratchy noise with each step. “How did you afford a dress from that designer? I thought you worked at the bar to help pay your college fees?”
My mother arranged for my stylist back home to pick out a dress and courier it to me. I hated shopping. She knew I’d leave it to the last minute and then freak out. The delicate silk was divine, with intricate stitching to cinch my slender waist. There was no doubting the expense or that our tailors made it to fit my figure.
“And that ring. WOW!” Kim snatched my hand, lifting it to her wide, intrigued eyes. “Where the hell did you get that?”
I retracted my hand and pressed my lips to a tight smile. “My family owns Rarity, the jewelry designers.” I wiggled my index finger.
It was time to come clean. My bank balance wouldn’t impress Kim Huxley, anyway. She was the daughter ofFrank Huxley, billionaire business tycoon.
Kim scrunched up her face. “Why didn’t you mention it? Wait, so you’re designer royalty? Like you rub shoulders with real royalty?”
“I guess so.” Ishrugged,making light of it.
“Why did you hide it? That's just so—”
“Kim, I wanted to experience a normal, simple life. To find real love without my family's brand being a bargaining tool for marriage.”
Her gentle nod matched her sad eyes. “I get it. You can't change your destiny though, Ada. What’s meant to bewill be.”
I looked down at the ring, stopping the ball in my throat from swelling even bigger. It was obvious she was referring to Theo. He wasn’t wealthy, nor was he prepared to enter a life where I was worth more financially than he could make in his whole lifetime.
“That's the ring my parents made for me on my twenty-first birthday. The stone is Jadeite. My father sourced it from the mountains in Russia,” I explained. The story made me homesick for my mother, for Theo. He was my home away from home.
Kim studied the pale green gem, poking it a few times. “It’s so elegant. Just like the pendant around your neck. Is that the necklace Theo made for you?”
My fingers instantly found the small green pebble wrapped in silver, dangling close to my wayward heartbeat. “Theo.” That's all I could say, averting a sniffle and tears that would irritate my contact lenses.
The warmth of her palm stroking my arm gave me a little comfort, but it couldn't heal the gaping hole in my life. “Come on. We’ll be late.” Her fingers looped my wrist. “And for the record, Ada, you look stunning.”
“Thanks. So do you.” I stepped into her and smoothed a white curl back into place. “And don’t think I’m scooping your ass up off the floor tonight.”
Kim’s cheeks blushed. “I’m off drink for life. Ro warned me to stay clear of booze, or he’ll tell our father.” She gulped. “Big Frank would tear me apart limb by limb.” A silly chortle followed.
“Looks like we’ll both be sampling virgin cocktails,” I giggled.
“Great.” Kim slapped my bicep. “We’ll be virgins for the rest of our lives,” she blurted out.
“Hardly. You’re meeting Chase at the ball. I’ll be a lonely old spinster swaying in the background as you dance the night away with your new boyfriend.”
* * *
Our black car pulled up outside the palatial castle on campus, with its imposing grey towers blocking out the late October sunset. Nervous flutters exploded in my belly. I hadn’t seen Ro since the night in my room when we made out on my bed.
He was taking Fia to the ball, his now long-term girlfriend. We had no future—it had been a lustful mistake on my part. The blazing scar branded on my heart was the lesson I learned. Lust did not equal love.
Servers escorted us through the Great Hall, with its imposing fireplace crackling and spitting. I was used to ostentatious events and the bustle of waiting staff, but this building was magnificent.
Kim squealed, clasping my elbow when we entered the gloriously decorated room. Even I took a short sharp gulp when I glanced up at the ornatecornicingand mirrored walls. Our heels clicked on the polished wooden floor. A loud chatter of excited students swirled around the high ceilings, bringing to life the detailed paintings above.
“This place is crazy cool!” Kim scanned the crowd. “Give me a nudge if you see Chase. I’m trying to play the aloof card. He can come to me.”
