Page 122 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

Mrs. Kandon had complimented me on my outfit, but Mr. Kandon had barely looked twice at me.

Part of me wondered if he sensed Cole’s looming betrayal, or whether he simply didn’t appreciate me being here. It was clear to anyone that his son was smitten with me. He was attentive and never veered far from my side. I was unused to such attention, but it was Cole, so it only made my heart soar.

He brushed his fingers down my spine again, resting his hand on the small of my back. “It is not just a dress, Sofe,” he whispered, dipping his head toward me. “It is temptation and sin and a whole heap of very dirty thoughts.”

His honest words sucker punched me, stealing my breath. He simply smirked as we entered the building to the sound of muted chatter.

“Curtis Kandon,” a deep voice said. “Now there’s a face I haven’t seen in too long.”

A tall, balding man approached us, a glass of whisky in his hand.

“Harry, it’s good to see you.”

“It’s about time you showed up to one of these things. Cecelia, you’re as beautiful as always.”

Curtis bristled at the man’s compliment of his wife, which seemed ironic given his inability to stay faithful to her.

“It’s good to see you again, Harry.”

Cole’s mom was a beautiful woman. Curly brown hair framed her face. She had big hazel eyes, and full lips. But there was something behind her smile. A shadow.

“And you must be Cole,” Harry said, turning his attention on us. “I’ve heard a lot about you, son. And if you’re anything like your old man, I’m sure Drexel will be lucky to have you.”

“Thank you,” Cole murmured, and I didn’t miss the way Curtis narrowed his eyes at his son.

“And who’s this lovely young lady?” Harry leered at me, his gaze like a thousand spiders crawling over my skin.

“This is my girlfriend, Sofia.”

Curtis’s eyes drilled into the side of my head. Obviously, Cole hadn’t told him or Cecilia that little nugget of information yet.

“And will she be coming to Drexel next fall with you?”

“Actually, no. I’ve applied to Columbia,” I said with my head held high.

“Shame.” Harry dismissed me, turning his back to us to ask Cole’s parents about something.

“What a charmer,” I murmured under my breath, and Cole chuckled. But I saw the flicker of anger in his eyes.

A server wandered past with a tray of champagne, so I plucked two glasses off it and handed one to Cole. “You look like you could use this.”

We edged away from his parents and Harry and found a quiet spot by the buffet table.

“How long do you think we have to stay?” he asked me.

“At least until they’ve done the welcome speech.”

“I shouldn’t have gone through with this. It’s horrible.”

“Oh, I don’t know. We have an amazing suite all to ourselves.”

“You’re right. The suite is pretty amazing.” He grinned and my stomach fluttered. “One hour tops and then we leave. Deal?”

As if I needed any coercion.

“Deal.”

“You hadn’t told them,” I said, and Cole stared blankly at me. “Your parents. You hadn’t told them I was…”

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